Question NW2145 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

(1) (a) Currently, Mental Health Nursing, also known as Psychiatric Nursing Science is offered either as a subject or as a module in a comprehensive programme, or as a stand-alone specialist programme. It is offered in the following ways:

(i) As one of the subjects of the legacy four-year Diploma in Nursing (General, Psychiatric & Community) and Midwifery (R425) that is currently being taught out in public nursing colleges. All 9 public nursing colleges are currently teaching out the R425 diploma programme, which is being taught at their 31 campuses.

(ii) As one of the subjects of the legacy four-year Degree in Nursing (General, Psychiatric & Community) and Midwifery (R425) that is currently being taught out in universities. There are currently 17 universities that are teaching out the R425 degree programme.

(iii) As part of the modules for the new 3-year Diploma in Nursing. To date, 6 public nursing colleges are offering the R171 programme in 24 campuses, whilst 1 university is offering the programme.

(iv) As part of the modules for the new 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery (R174). To date, 19 universities are offering this programme. 1 college has been accredited for this programme but is not yet offering it.

(v) As a new specialised postgraduate diploma programme (PGD) in Mental Health Nursing). To date, 2 universities have been accredited to offer this programme. 1 college has been accredited for this programme but is not yet offering it.

(b) Table 1 below illustrates the total number of mental health care training facilities in the Republic and in each province.

Table 1: The total number of mental health care training facilities in the Republic and in each province

No.	Province	Number of institutions offering the Mental Health Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing) programme per programme
		R425 diploma	R425 degree	R171 diploma	R174 degree	Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
1	Eastern Cape	5 college campuses	3 universities	Not yet offering	3 universities	None
2	Free State	3 college campuses	1 university	3 college campuses	1 university	None
3	Gauteng	3 college campuses	5 universities	4 college campuses	5 universities	None
4	KwaZulu-Natal	10 college campuses	3 universities	11 college campuses	3 universities	None
5	Limpopo	3 college campuses	2 universities	Not yet offered at college; 1 university	2 universities	None
6	Mpumalanga	1 college campus	None	1 college campus	None	None
7	North West	2 college campuses	2 university campuses	2 college campuses	2 university campuses	None
8	Northern Cape	1 college campus	None	Not yet offering	None	None
9	Western Cape	3 college campuses	1 university	3 college campuses	3 universities	2 universities
TOTALS IN THE REPUBLIC	31 college campuses	17 universities	24 college campuses, 1 =university	19 universities	2 universities

(2) The outdated criteria for nursing cover for Psychiatric Nursing Science subject in the R425 programme offered by both nursing colleges and universities entailed the following:

• Nursing patients of different age groups receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric unit or psychiatric community service, on both short term and long-term basis.
• Executing a nursing regimen to ensure continuity of nursing for a meaningful number of the above patients – both short-term and long term. Before being implemented, the nursing plan for each patient shall be approved by the registered nurse responsible for the nursing regimen for the patient.
• Conducting group sessions/activities, taking cognisance of cultural differences/preferences where relevant.
• Conducting therapeutic interactions for evaluation purposes.
• Developing an assessment and plan care for a patient who is being cared for in the community and who requires psychiatric nursing.
• Recognising a crisis situation and applying appropriate crisis intervention skills, timeously referring to appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team and/or appropriate support systems.
• Nursing care of a mentally retarded person in a care and rehabilitation centre or any other institution for the care of mentally retarded persons, or of a family with a mentally retarded member.

(3) (a) In the new nursing programmes, Mental Health Nursing is covered in modules in the 3-year Diploma in Nursing (R171), modules in the 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery (R174), as well as a speciality Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing programme.

(b) The new programmes mentioned in (a) cover mental health service demands in the following ways:

(i) The 3-year Diploma in Nursing (R171):

• Psychology and Sociology are applied in ways which benefits the quality of healthcare delivered to health care users.

• Knowledge of human behaviour and psychological development throughout the life span is applied.

• Students implement social and diversity-sensitive care in nursing practice.

• A range of psychological emergency situations are identified and managed accordingly.

• Emotional demands of nursing practice are dealt with effectively.

(ii) The 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery (R174) has modules that deal with the following aspects pertaining Mental Health:

• Development of individualised plans that reflect comprehensive and integrated assessment of mentally ill persons,

• Understanding of common emotional and behavioural disorders, as well as major psychiatric disorders (perceptual and severe mood disorders).

• Execution of nursing interventions and therapeutic management of mentally ill persons utilising accepted psycho-social techniques.

• Providing support provided to patients recovering from mental health illness in preparation for discharge in ways that enable the patient, family and significant others to cope with the management of the patient at home.

(iii) Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Mental Health Nursing is a standalone specialised programme on Mental Health Nursing that covers the following aspects:

• Rendering and co-ordinating of patient-centred mental health nursing within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.

• Mobilising appropriate resources to implement mental health standards of practice, to ensure quality patient care and safety.

• Collaborating within the inter-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making and sound clinical judgment aimed at better mental health care outcomes.

• Participating in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of nursing policies, programmes and projects related to mental health nursing.

END.