Question NW2590 to the Minister of Health
10 December 2021 - NW2590
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
(a) Whether he will re-introduce a requirement for the (a) SA Nursing Council and (b) training colleges registered with the National Qualifications Framework to include courses in Gerontological Nursing Science and/or Gerontology including Geriatrics in the up-coming nursing training curricula as the requirements of the National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003, indicate a clear need for the training of nursing care staff members in residential care facilities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The South African Nursing Council (SANC) as the regulator of nurses and midwives in South Africa, takes responsibility, amongst others, for –
- Setting and maintaining standards of education, training, and practice and
- Providing mandatory guidance and additional advice to people designing and developing education programmes
Gerontology Nursing/ Geriatrics is currently not listed as a Post Graduate Diploma (Nursing Speciality) programme. However, the content of Gerontology nursing/ Geriatrics is covered in the curricula of the legacy professional nurse qualifications, the new higher education 4-year Bachelor degree as well as the new 3-year diploma programme under the following exit level outcome:
- Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings of which the following criteria are evaluated:
- Preventive, promotional, curative and rehabilitative nursing care is provided to different age groups in various health care settings,
Based on the above information, all professional nurses trained whether through the legacy professional nurse qualifications and the new qualifications at higher education level are full capacitated to holistically nurse geriatric patients throughout the levels of care. All other categories of nurses work under the direct supervision of the professional nurse who guide the nursing process. Should there be specific gerontology nursing needs that have to be developed, the establishment can provide that by way of in-service training and continuous professional development.
END.