FOR ATTENTION:	News Editors
SUBJECT:	Shortage of nurses and the new nursing curriculum
	23 October 2018

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) notes with concern the article published in the media recently and its factually incorrect information that has been disseminated to the public and the nursing fraternity.

 

The SANC would like to clarify the statements made in these articles, with these facts:

The curriculum submissions that the SANC has received so far, have been and continue to be evaluated and some have also served at meetings of internal structures of the SANC. These applications have been received from Universities, Public Colleges and private nursing schools. It is therefore factually incorrect that ”South Africa will soon have a shortage of nurses due to the dragging of feet/dawdling in approving a new curriculum”. The public and the profession is misled by such incorrect information.

 

The matter of “nurses will no longer be able to train at provincial training colleges”, is disputable. Factually, some Public Nursing Colleges have submitted their programmes to the SANC and the process of evaluation towards accreditation is underway.

 

The information provided stating that “there are only six other private institutions that are currently running private programmes” is factually incorrect. There is about sixty four (64) private institutions (including private hospital groups) that are currently offering nursing programmes in South Africa.

 

The following information in the articles is also incorrect: “The new act makes provision for a new category of nurse – a general nurse”.

The Act Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No 33 of 2005) makes provision for the following categories:

•	Professional Nurse
•	Midwife
•	Staff nurse (general nurses
•	Auxiliary nurse OR
•	Auxiliary Midwife (There will be no qualifications for this category).

 

Nurse Specialist and Midwife Specialist categories were created through a board notice published by the Minister of Health in the Government Gazette No. 368 of 15 May 2014 – Notice regarding the creation of categories of practitioners in terms of section 31(2) of the Nursing Act, 2005.

 

Ms Sizeni Mchunu, CEO and Registrar of the SANC says: “It is regrettable that the public and the nursing fraternity have been misled and provided with factually incorrect information by persons who may not be well vested with these issues. Non-approval of submitted curriculums that do not comply with the minimum requirements does not constitute delays by the SANC.”

 

ENDS

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri van Eeden
Senior Manager: Marketing and Communications
South African Nursing Council 
E-mail:    avaneeden@sanc.co.za
Website: www.sanc.co.za 
Tel:          012 426-9542

 

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Ms S Mchunu
Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

 

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel (012) 426-9542 or email: avaneeden@sanc.co.za 

FOR ATTENTION: News Editors SUBJECT: 2018 World Stroke Day   22 October 2018 A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, brain cells can be damaged or die, depending on which part of the brain is affected and how quickly the person is treated. The effects of stroke on survivors can be devastating to a person’s body, mobility and speech as well as how they think and feel.    The World Stroke Organization reports that around 80 million people in the world today have experienced a stroke and over 50 million survivors live with some form of permanent disability as a result.   The South African Nursing Council will be joining the world in the commemoration of World Stroke Day on 29 October 2018. Ms Sizo Mchunu, Registrar and CEO says: “The SANC, as the governing body of the nursing profession and nursing education, would like to urge the public and nurses alike to make sure that they act fast if they suspect that someone has symptoms of a stroke as the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke can mean the difference between life and death. Look out for the following signs and symptoms: droop or uneven smile, arm numbness or weakness, slurred speech, vision troubles, and overall fatigue.”    Six key facts about stroke treatment:   Early recognition makes a big difference,   Around one in ten more people make an excellent recovery when cared for in a specialized unit,    Clot-busting drugs (TPA or Thromolysis) increase the chance of a good outcome by 30%,    Clot retrieval treatment increases the chance of a good outcome by more than 50%,    Rehabilitation is a critical step in treatment process, and    One in four survivors will have another stroke.    A stroke can happen to anyone, at any time, and at any age. Save a life by knowing what signs and symptoms to look for and act immediately. ENDS Issued by: Mrs. Adri van Eeden Senior Manager: Marketing and Communications South African Nursing Council  E-mail:    avaneeden@sanc.co.za Website: www.sanc.co.za  Tel:          012 426-9542   Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted: Ms S Mchunu Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council   For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel (012) 426-9542 or email: avaneeden@sanc.co.za