Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 2071 to 2100
2009-11-25
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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]
QUESTION 2099
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02/11/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 26-2009)
Mr PF Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether dedicated incetives are provided to suitably-qualified teachers to improve the teaching of maths and science in the public school system; if not, why not; if so, what incentives? NW2755E
REPLY:
The policy on Incentives for Educators was declared in December 2007 (Government Notice no. 25, Gazette no. 30678). The aim of the policy is attract and retain educators in areas of scarcity. The policy provides for four types of incentives, namely, posts in schools situated in remote geographical areas; posts in subject/learning areas/phases which are difficult to fill. The policy identifies mathematics, science, ICT and some languages but also allows for Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to identify scarce subjects/learning areas in terms of their own needs; posts that are in schools situated in the difficult urban zones of the country or the so-called hard-to-teach schools and lastly; the policy also allows for incentives to attached to posts, based on the request from the Principal and the SGB of the school after providing evidence that identified posts are difficult to fill.
To ensure quality, the policy prescribes that for an educator who occupies an incentivized post to be eligible to receive payment he/she must be fully qualified (REQV 13). It is, however, up to each PED to identify its needs and prioritise the types of incentives it is going to pay accordingly. As the priorities could differ across PEDs, therefore it is possible that not all PEDs will prioritise the incentives for scarce subjects.
QUESTION NO.:2094
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 30 October 2009
2094. Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
Whether a certain person (name and details furnished) has been appointed in a position at Eskom; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) in what position, (b) when, (c) when will she start in the position and (d) what are the details of her financial package? NW2750E
REPLY
(a-d) The person referred to is not employed by Eskom.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2092
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional
Affairs:
What (a) is the (i) purpose and (ii) location of each Thusong centre and (b) services are envisaged to be delivered at such centres? NW2748E
Answer
(a) (i) The purpose of each Thusong Centre is to provide government services and Information about opportunities closer to communities in an integrated, efficient and professional way. (ii) About 139 Thusong Service Centre are located across municipalities in the country and the plan is to ensure established Thusong Centres for each municipality by 2014. (b) Thusong Service Centres link communities to the government's distribution network of publications and products about government programmes such as social grants, identity documents, and activities. Community participation events, campaigns, exhibition and road shows at Thusong Service Centres provide communities with information they can use to improve their lives and develop the community.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2091
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) What, with the exception of the municipalities and metros referred to in Question 615 is the remuneration for (a) municipal managers and (b) chief financial officers with regard to (i) basic packages and (Ii) bonuses for each specified municipality;
(2) whether performance agreement contracts have been signed with each of the current (a) municipal managers and (b) chief financial officers (i) in each of the specified municipalities; if not, who do not have signed performance agreements? NW2747E
Answer
Due to the extensive nature of the information required, the department has sent the request to all municipalities to provide information.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2090
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Why did the Gauteng Provincial legislature not pay the full amount of the loss of office gratuity to the members who exited after the 2004 general elections (details furnished)? NW2746E
Answer
According to the information received from the Legislature's Finance Unit, there are no outstanding payments due to former MPLs. All payments to individual MPLs were paid in full.
QUESTION 2086
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Monday, 2 November 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 OF 2009
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department has a strategy in place to deal with the impacts of climate change on migration within Southern Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2742E
REPLY
No.
QUESTION 2085
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2085. Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) What is the (a) total number of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects that have (i) received final approval and (ii) letters of no objection from the designated national authority, (b) estimated emission level of annual emissions reductions of each of these projects and (c) current backlog of CDM projects awaiting (i) final approval and (ii) letters of no objection;
(2) Whether any initiatives are being taken by her department to increase the rates of investment in CDM projects; if not, why not; if so, what initiatives;
(3) What are the major barriers to the uptake of a greater number of CDM projects?
REPLY
(1) As at 21 October 2009 , 131 CDM projects have been submitted to the DNA for initial review and approval – 102 letters of No Objection and 29 letters of approval. Out of the 29 PDDs, 17 are registered with the CDM Executive Board. The 17 registered projects are:
I. Kuyasa Low-Cost Housing Energy Upgrade Project (7 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Khayelitsha, Cape Town;
II. Lawley Fuel Switch Project (107 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Lenasia, South of Johannesburg;
III. PetroSA Biogas to Energy Project (29 000 tonnes CO2e/annum)in Mossel Bay,
IV. Durban Landfill Gas to Electricity Project (69 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Durban,
V. Rosslyn SAB Brewery Fuel Switch Project (107 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Rossyln, North of Pretoria;
VI. Tugela CFB10 Conversion form Coal to Bark Project (70 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Tugela;
VII. Mondi Richards Bay Biomass Project (222 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Richards Bay;
VIII. Omnia N20 Destruction Project (576 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Sasolburg;
IX. EnviroServ Chloorkop Landfill Gas Project (188 000 tonnes CO2e/annum) in Chloorkop, East Rand –
X. Transalloys Manganese Alloy Smelter Energy (83 000 CO2e/annum) in Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation Ltd's Witbank facility
XI. Sasol Nitrous Oxide Abatement Project (610 000 CO2e/annum) in Secunda and Sasolburg.
XII. EnviroServ Chloorkop Landfill Gas Recovery(188 000 CO2e/annum) in Chloorkop landfill
XIII. Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Project – Plant 9 (250 000 CO2e/annum) in Modderfontein.
XIV. Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction project –Plant 11 (264 000 CO2e/annum) in Modderfontein
XV. Kanhym Farm Manure to Energy Project (27 000 CO2e/annum)
XVI. Durban Landfill gas to Electricity Project – Bisasar Road Landfill (352 000CO2e/annum).
XVII. Alton Landfill Gas to Electricity project (70 000CO2e/annum)
· Collectively, these projects have potential to reduce about 2.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per annum.
(2) The DNA is conducting a series of capacity building and awareness raising events – workshops, seminars, meetings within companies and municipalities, as part of its campaign to promote CDM activities in South Africa.
- In 2009/10 fiscal year, the DNA conducted six provincial CDM awareness-raising workshops – North West, Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape Free State. Similar workshops will be conducted in the three remaining provinces – Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo – in this financial year.
- Two sector workshops ( renewable energy and carbon finance)
- As part of its promotional activities, the DNA is also producing CDM information booklets for role players and the public. This financial year, three CDM sector booklets were developed viz (a) Designated National Authority Guidance for applicants of CDM in South Africa, (b) CDM in the forestry sector, and (c) CDM in the Agricultural sector.
(3) There are a number of reasons why the pace of CDM project development in South Africa has not been as rapid as one might expect. These range from awareness of the need to respond to climate change and awareness of the CDM itself, to more specific reasons such as the suitability of project methodologies and the structure of the electricity market. Some of these reasons are intrinsic to the carbon market globally; for instance the whole CDM registration process is bureaucratic with high transaction costs – (feasibility study, project implementation costs) and uncertainties around the post 2012 regime when the Kyoto Protocol expires.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2084
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 26)
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department has any strategy in place to deal with the impacts of climate change on the Aids pandemic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2740EREPLY:
The evidence for the direct link between climate change and AIDS is tenuous – at the level of disease progression. However, it is well known that climate change will impact on the health of many populations especially in developing countries. This will of course include the AIDS pandemic. Climate change does have the potential to reduce water supply, increase temperatures, deepen poverty, and increase inequity in society - all of which will make already vulnerable people and their communities even more vulnerable.
In line with these observations, government as a whole, working with all other stakeholders, has a responsibility to deal with climate change. This government has made bold proposals to the conference on climate change that was hosted by Denmark during December 2009.
Official reply: 10 Dec. 09
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 2081
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 2 November 2009
Internal question paper no:
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) (a) How many older persons' homes are there in the country, (b) where is each such home located and (c) how many patients are currently accommodated in each home;
(2) whether all older persons' homes are registered with his department; if not, (a) why not and (b) which homes are not registered; if so, how many homes are registered (i) permanently and (ii) temporarily;
(3) whether all older persons' homes have been inspected to ensure that they meet minimum standards; if so, (a) when, (b) who conducted the inspection and (c) what are the minimum standards that each older persons' home must meet;
(4) whether any older persons' home has failed to meet the minimum standards; if so, (a) which homes and (b) what are the (i) results and (ii) penalties of failing to meet these standards;
(5) (a) what amount was allocated toward the funding of each public older persons' home (i) in the (aa) 2006-07, (bb) 2007-08 and (cc) 2008-09 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what is the (i) actual and (ii) optimal number of staff at each older persons' home with regard to (aa) social workers, (bb) auxiliary social workers, (cc) home-based caregivers and (dd) any other specified related caregivers? NW2736E
REPLY:
(1) (a) There are 502 residential facilities in the country.
(b) The following table illustrates the distribution of residential facilities
NO. | NAME OF PROVINCE | NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES |
1 | Eastern Cape | 52 |
2 | Free State | 42 |
3 | Gauteng | 237 (94 residential facilities and 143 Private residential facilities) |
4 | Kwa-Zulu Natal | 51 |
5 | Limpopo | 12 |
6 | Mpumalanga | 19 |
7 | Northern Cape | 25 |
8 | North West | 26 |
9 | Western Cape | 132 |
TOTAL | 502 |
Additional Information:
Private Residential Facilities | 147 (143 Gauteng private retirement facilities and 4 Limpopo private retirement facilities) |
State Subsidised Facilities | 349 |
Government Managed | 6 |
(c) Refer to annexures for provincial data.
(2) Table 2: Registration status
Province | (2)(a) why not | (2)(b) specify homes not registered | (i) Permanent registration | (ii) Temporary registration |
Eastern Cape Yes | 53 | |||
Free State Yes | 42 | |||
Gauteng Yes and No | · 143 Private residential facilities will be registered once the new Act is implemented · 4 Residential facilities have recently been approved and will be permanently registered | 90 | ||
Kwa-Zulu Natal Yes and No | · Zululand Old Age Home · Bill Buchanan · Emmerson House | 51 | ||
Northern Cape Yes | 25 | |||
North West Yes and No | Newly established residential facilities | 2 Registered facilities are not registered | 24 | |
Western Cape Yes | 132 | |||
Outcome | The new Act will facilitate registration of private and newly established residential facilities | 149 Not yet registered. | 417 |
Each province has compiled a table, table 2 to illustrate the registration status. Refer to annexures for provincial data.
(3) Table 3: Old age homes inspections
(3) | 3(a) | 3 (b) | 3(c) | |
Province | Name of Old Age Home | Date of inspection | By whom | Minimum standards |
State Yes or No | ||||
Eastern Cape Yes | 52 residential facilities were monitored an evaluated in terms of the norms and standards. Refer to Annexure A for further detail | From March 2009 to November 2009 | Officials in the Department of Social Development | The Old Age Home has a well representative and functioning governance structure. The organization has a clear constitution, policies and procedure guidelines to ensure stability The organization has a system of financial controls and accounting The organization has a plan for reporting on progress. |
Free State Yes | 38 Residential facilities were monitored and evaluated Refer to Annexure B | November 2005 – October 2009 | Department of Social Development and the Department of Health | Document on minimum norms and standards used with each inspection |
Gauteng Yes | 90 residential facilities are monitored and evaluated annually. Refer to Annexure C | August 2005 - August 2009 | Department of Health and Department of Social Development | The prescribed norms and standards are used for monitoring and evaluation |
Limpopo Yes | 12 residential facilities were monitored and evaluated. Refer to Annexure E | December 2007 – October 2009 | Department of Health of Social Development | Prescribed norms and standards |
Mpumalanga Yes | 18 Residential facilities were monitored and evaluated this financial year. Refer to Annexure F | |||
Kwa-Zulu Natal Yes | 45 Residential facilities were monitored and evaluated. Refer to Annexure D | December 2006 - November 2009. | · Regional and Provincial Coordinators · Principal Social Workers, Health Inspectors and Professional Nurse | Basic norms and standards |
Northern Cape Yes | 24 residential facilities. | January - April 2009 | Staff members of the Department of Social Development are responsible for the assessment | Assessment done annually |
Western Cape Yes | 132 residential facilities. | Annual | Department of Social Development in the Province and Department of Health | Compliant |
North West Yes | 26 residential facilities | Each residential facility is monitored bi-monthly | Department of Social Development Provincial officials | Prescribed norms and standards |
(4) Table 4: Old age homes that failed to meet minimum standards
4(a) | 4(b)(i) | (4)(b)(ii) | |
Province | Name of home | Results | Penalties |
State Yes or No | |||
Eastern Cape Yes | Salvation Army | The Home cares for psychiatric people who need 24 hour nursing care | No penalty will be instituted. The home needs to be reclassified as a home for people with disabilities |
Free State Yes | Botshabelo Haven | Not all minimum norms and standards met. | No penalty. Recommendations made to assist the facility to meet the norms and standards. |
Gauteng Yes | · Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre (facility managed by Government) · Frederic Place · Moria Centre for the Aged under Residentia Foundation · Meyerton Old Age Home · Jafta Alkemade Home · Advent Haven Old Age Home · Roodepoort Care Cente · Friendship Haven Old age Home · Ithlokomeleng Old Age Home · Queenshaven Old Age Home – NPO receiving funding | A Developmental Quality Assurance (DQA) was conducted and a developmental plan made in order to facilitate compliance with prescribed norms and standards. | None. A developmental plan was compiled to effect to facilitate compliance with Norms and Standards |
(5)(a) Refer to annexure for provincial data
(5)(b) Refer to annexure for provincial data
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2080
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 26-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2 November 2009
2080. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
Which criteria does his department apply when classifying an area as (a) rural or (b) urban? NW2735E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
(a) & (b) Rurality refers to a way of life, a state of mind and a culture which revolves around land, livestock, cropping and community. Statistics South Africa (2009) defines 'rural' as farms and traditional areas characterised by low population densities, low levels of economic activity and low levels of infrastructure. The Rural Development Framework (RDF) released in 1997 defines rural areas as the sparsely populated areas in which people farm or depend on natural resources, including the villages and small towns that are dispersed through these areas. In addition, the RDF's definition includes the large settlements in the former homelands, created by the apartheid removals, which depend on migratory labour and remittances for their survival. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform favours the RDF's definition and extends the definition to include areas of high poverty and limited capacity which includes the conventional rural communities, peri-urban areas and "small rural towns".
NATIONAL ASSEMBLYWRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2079INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 26-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2 November 2009
2079. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
Whether his department has drawn up a framework to revise the current lease revenue management system; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2734E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
Yes. A framework was developed to review the lease revenue management system. The spatial module of the system is fully operational and contracts are captured by Provincial Rural Development and Land Reform Offices. The finance module was tested on 6, 19 & 31 August 2009 and 29 & 30 October 2009. The re-testing is scheduled to take place before the end of December 2009. The service provider has been appointed with effect from 7 December 2009 to conduct an independent review of lease receivables in order to clear the audit qualification.
QUESTION 2078
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 26-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2 November 2009
2078. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
(1) What were the findings of the independent audit into the irregularities with the purchase of (a) Gorah farm and (b) Cornucopia;
(2) whether his department has instituted criminal proceedings against the officials responsible for the fruitless and wasteful expenditure at Gorah Farm and Cornucopia; if not, why now; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2733E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
(1)(a)-(b) Please refer to Annexures A and B which contain the audit findings with regard to the purchase of the Gorah farm and Cornucopia respectively.
(2) No. The forensic investigation reports were submitted to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) on 29 July and 6 August 2009 respectively. The DRDLR has commenced with disciplinary enquiries against the relevant officials. The intention of the DRDLR is to report these matters to the South African Police Service once the disciplinary enquiries have been finalised.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2077
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 26)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many intensive care units (ICU) are there in each province, (b) where are they situated, (c) how many (i) beds does each unit accommodate and (ii) nurses work at each unit and (c) what is the nurse/patient ratio for each unit;
(2) whether all ICU (a) nursing managers and (b) nurses working in the ICU had ICU training; if not, (i) why not and (ii) how many have not received such training in each case?
NW2731EREPLY:
The following information was obtained from the Provinces
EASTERN CAPE
(1) (a) There are 11 ICU units in the Province
Mthatha Hospital Complex | Port Elizabeth Hospital Complex | East London Hospital Complex | Total | |
ICU Units | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
(i) No of beds in each | 21 | 30 | 39 | 90 |
(ii) No of nurses working in each | 39 | 105 | 114 | 258 |
Nurse patient ratio | 1:2 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.5 | 1:2 |
(2) The following table reflects the situation in this regard
Mthatha Hospital Complex | PE Hospital Complex | EL Hospital Complex | Total | |
Nursing managers | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
No. trained for ICU | Not all have received training | Not all have received training | Not all have received training | |
Reasons why training not done | Staff shortages make it difficult to release staff. Also there is shortage of available slots for training at the training centres | Staff shortages make it difficult to release staff. Also there is shortage of available slots for training at the training centres | Staff shortages make it difficult to release staff. Also there is shortage of available slots for training at the training centres | |
Nurses not received training | 8 | 66 | 28 | 102 |
FREE STATE
The Free State Department of Health has One (1) Academic Hospital and five (5) Regional hospitals with ICUs. The status of each hospital ICU has been highlighted in the following table:-
Hospital | TYPE of ICU's | NUMBER OF ICU BEDS | Number of all nurses working in each ICU. | Nurse -patient ratio |
Pelonomi Regional Hospital | ICU facility = 1 which is currently a temporary facility | Adult = 10 Peads = 5 | Prof Nurses = 62 | 1:1 |
Bongani Regional Hospital | General | Adult = 7 Peads = 1 | Prof Nurses = 19 Staff Nurses = 3 E Nursing Asst = 1 TOTAL = 23 | 1 : 1 |
Neonatal | Incubators = 16 | Prof Nurses = 11 Staff Nurses = 2 E Nursing Asst = 8 TOTAL = 21 | 1 : 3 | |
Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital | 1 General ICU | Beds = 6 Active | Prof Nurses = 12 Staff Nurses = 1 E Nurse Asst = 3 TOTAL = 16 | 2 : 1 |
Boitumelo Regional Hospital | 1 General ICU | Beds = 6 | Prof Nurses = 7 E Nurse Asst = 7 TOTAL = 14 | 1 : 1 |
Dihlabeng Regional Hospital | 1 General ICU | Beds = 3 | Multidisciplinary TOTAL = 14 | 1 : 1 |
Universitas Academic Hospital | Multidisciplinary 8 beds. Usable 6 7th opened when needed | Beds = 6 | PN = 26, SN = 2 NA= 1 TOTAL = 29 | 1:1 unstable 1:2 is stable. |
Neonatal ICU | Beds = 14 | PN = 28 SN = 1 TOTAL = 29 | 1:1 if unstable 1:2 stable patients | |
Neuro ICU | Beds = 5 | PN =17 SN =2 TOTAL = 19 | 1:1 if unstable 1:2 if stable. | |
Paeds ICU | Beds = 5 | PN =16 SN =4 TOTAL = 20 | 1:1 unstable pts 1:2 stable | |
Coronary X6 beds + 1 bed cardioversions/ temporary pts | Beds = 6 | PN =20 SN =1 TOTAL = 21 | 1:1 if unstable 1:2 if stable | |
Surgical ICU includes Kidney Transplant Unit | Beds = 5 | PN =18 TOTAL = 18 | 1:1 unstable 1:2 stable | |
Adult Heart catheterisation lab (Interventional Unit(half ICU, half theatre) | PN =6 NA =1 | All staff on duty MON-FRI. Deal with State & Netcare lists. X 2 sisters on standby daily for both hospitals. | ||
Peaeds Cardiology & day clinic in unit | Beds = 4 | PN =5 SN =2 NA =2 TOTAL = 9 | 24hr high care Mon-Friday (Half ICU/ half theatre set up) | |
Paeds High Care x4 beds | No staff to run unit at the moment. Unit is fully furnished with equipment through the KFC/ Carte Blanche (ADD Hope) initiative. | 1:2 stable pts |
(2)
Hospital | Number of ICU managers | Number of ICU Trained Managers | Number of ICU Professional Nurses | Number Of ICU Trained Professional Nurses | Reasons for not having ICU Trained Nurses |
Pelonomi Regional Hospital | 1 Post available 3 Operational Managers 2 ICU trained . | 4 | 62 | 47 | Professional nurses untrained -1 failed -2 on study leave doing critical care -1 for training from January 2010. -1 application rejected at college. 9 experienced because of age they indicated that they cannot study |
Bongani Regional Hopital | 1 | General | |||
1 | 19 | 14 | Has 70% ICU trained nurses. | ||
Neonatal | |||||
11 | 10 | ||||
Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 4 Transferred to other hospitals. The hospital is training 1 per year. |
Boitumelo Regional Hospital | 1 Nursing Manager | 1 Trained Manager | 7 | PN = 7 3 Not trained and 1 applied for 2010 training | Inability to send more than 2 due to shortage of staff. No young PN that is interested to do ICU. |
Dihlabeng Regional Hospital | 1 | 1 | 14 | 8 | Problems with filling of posts (e.g. funding). It becomes problematic to send people on study leave when there will be no complementary staff to ensure continuity of quality patient care. |
Universitas Academic Hospital | 10+1 | X4 Operational Managers X1 Assistant Manager | 174 PNs = 89% of total staff in ICU. 15 SNs = 8% of total 6 NAs = 3% of total staff | 72 =41% of PsN ICU-trained X8 =4% PNs Advanced Paediatric Nursing x8 =4% PNs Nephrology Nursing | Comments at the end of the template |
Pelonomi Intensive Care Unit is undergoing revitalization project (24 hours project). A 32 bedded unit in the ultimate end will be established. The current area serves as a temporary accommodation for ICU.
Universitas
1. Most of the Operational Managers were appointed a long time ago as Unit Managers and were therefore simply translated to Operational Managers when the change took place. We must remember that in the old dispensation, experience in ICU rather than a qualification in Critical was used as the inherent requirement. Equally a qualification in Healthcare Management Nursing was not seen as essential for appointment as a Unit Manager, and still is with OSD;
2. Some of our Managers are in an aging category and therefore see no incentive in further studies especially in Critical Care or Healthcare Management;
3. Trained staff turnover is a serious limitation in maximising the numbers of trained staff. In real terms, units are abound with experienced staff and therefore this limitation is mitigated to some extent;
4. Shortage of staff or lack of funds to reappoint staff as they leave puts a serious dent on our ability to allow more staff to go on study leave. In the past we could send up to three people in one unit to study but next year for instance this number has been curtailed to only one per department and we may have to cut even further in future if the status quo remains;
5. In Peads and Adult Cardiology units there are no managers appointed in line with OSD requirements. Junior officials (PNB 1) take charge of the units purely on the basis that they want to gain experience. At the time the institution has taken a decision not to upgrade these positions to appoint Operational Managers to run these cost centres that are quite expensive;
6. At this time we experience severe staff limitations in Neonatal, Renal and Cardiothoracic units especially on night duty. This situation is most serious whenever most of the units are working on full capacity. We simply do not have the reserve to cope with the demands when that happens;
7. The fact that in more than half of the ICU departments have been without ward clerks for more than 2years to support nurse managers with administrative work means more nursing staff have to be diverted to non nursing work which leads to more strain on limited nursing resources;
8. It is clear when you look in the ICU staff constituency that the numbers of personnel can be improved by dilution of the high concentration of sisters with staff nurses and assistant nurses. We have so far suggested that the number of trained professional nurses be capped 45%, untrained 20% and 35% comprise both staff nurses and assistant nurses. This way your experienced staff can be used for complicated work and the supporting staff for the less complicated work.
KWAZULU/NATAL
(1) (a) Number of Intensive Care Units in KwaZulu Natal is 29 which are provided in 16 Hospitals.
A number of Hospitals have more than one Unit to accommodate specialties e.g. neonatal, paediatrics, surgical and medical.
(b) The situation, number of units, beds and staffing ratio's is illustrated in the column below:
The norm that is utilized is 5 nursing units per 1 ICU bed.
The ratio in KwaZulu Natal has been calculated to include Professional Nurses and Other categories of Nurses.
The average ratio in KwaZulu Natal is 0.7 Nursing units per ICU bed.
District | Hospital | No | No | Nursing | Total | Trained ICU / | Nurse to | |
Units | beds | Staff | Advanced | Patient | ||||
PN | Other | Posts | Ratio | Midwifery | ||||
Ethekwini | Addington | 1 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 1.2 | 15 |
King Edward V111 | 2 | 16 | 62 | 0 | 62 | 0.7 | 42 | |
Prince Mshiyeni Memorial | 1 | 16 | 52 | 15 | 67 | 0.8 | 31 | |
RK Khan | 2 | 19 | 29 | 0 | 29 | 0.3 | 15 | |
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central | 6 | 69 | 262 | 68 | 330 | 0.9 | 172 | |
King George V | 1 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 24 | 0.8 | 14 | |
St Aiden's | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.8 | 4 | |
Ugu | Port Shepstone | 2 | 6 | 36 | 10 | 46 | 1.5 | 22 |
Ilembe | Stanger | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 1.3 | 7 |
Umgungundlovu | Greys | 4 | 24 | 95 | 25 | 120 | 70 | |
Edendale | 4 | 27 | 60 | 25 | 85 | 28 | ||
Uthukela | Ladysmith | 1 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 5 | |
Amajuba | Madadeni | 1 | 10 | 21 | 6 | 27 | 5 | |
Newcastle | 1 | 15 | 21 | 9 | 30 | 11 | ||
Uthungulu | Lower Umfolozi War Memorial | 2 | 19 | 29 | 0 | 29 | 15 | |
Ngwelezane | 1 | 8 | 28 | 6 | 34 | 16 | ||
29 | 247 | 749 | 182 | 931 | 472 |
(2) (a) All nurse managers in ICU Units are trained in ICU, the only exception is in Ladysmith Hospital.
(b) The number of Professional Nurses working in ICU Units is 749, of this number only 472 are trained which reflects an average of 63%.
The percentage includes Professional Nurses who have a qualification in Intensive Care Nursing or Advance Midwifery (for Neonatal Units).
The Province should have 1235 posts filled with adequately trained Professional Nurses in order to meet the required number of 5 posts per 1 ICU bed to reach the required nurse to patient ratio.
The Natal College of Nursing provides training for the qualification in ICU and has 2 intakes per annum of 25 students per intake.
The College also provides training for the qualification in Advanced Midwifery and has 2 intakes per annum of 25 students per intake.
Staff attrition is causing a high turnover which results in annual losses of Intensive Care Nurses. The OSD has assisted in improving this, however this category of scarce skills is highly sought after by the private sector.
The course accommodates staff who has not had an opportunity to attend the full time course in the Province.
There are no specialised courses for staff nurses or enrolled nursing assistants.
A large number of Professional and other categories of nurses have had many years of experience in ICU and provide a high standard of technical nursing care.
The "New" Nursing Act (2005). The regulations to provide training for Enrolled nurses to be formally trained in Intensive Care Nursing techniques are being finalized by South African Nursing Council.
Hospitals are actively encouraging Professional Nurses to undertake training, however the financial constraints and attrition of staff limits the number of Professional Nurses that each hospital can release for training at one time.
The Province provides ongoing in-service training in special skills e.g. suction techniques for neonatal patients.
LIMPOPO
(1) (a) The following table reflects the situation in this regard:
Hospital | ICUs | Beds | Nurses in ICUs | Nurse/Patient Ratio |
Mokopane | 2 Neonatal & Main ICU | 3 | 11 | 1:1 for critically ill patients ventilated. 2:1 for high care patients. |
Warmbaths | 1 | 8 | 9 | 1:1 depending on the acuity level of the patient. |
Tshilidzini | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1:2 |
Letaba | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2:1 |
St Ritas | 2 | 8 | 12 | 1:3 neonatal, 1:2 main |
Philadelphia | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2:1 |
(2) The following table reflects the situation in this regard
Hospital | Nurse managers in ICUs | ICU trained | ICU not trained | Reason for lack of ICU training |
Mokopane | 0 | 0 | 1 | Trained in 1981 and there was no exposure to ICU |
Warmbaths | 8 | 1 trained and 1 still being trained | 6 | Lack of midwifery course as a requirement before post-basic diploma |
Tshilidzini | 12 | 12 | 4 | 2 scheduled to start with training |
St Ritas | 6 | 3 | 2 | Nurses take turns to go for training |
Philadelphia | 2 | 1 | 1 | Appointed as a manager |
MPUMALANGA
(1) (a) There are no ICUs in hospitals in the Province except at the following:
Institution where there is an ICU | No of ICUs | No of beds | Nurses in each Unit | Patient ratio | Training offered to nurses | Why training not given | No not received training |
Mapulaneng | 01 | 03 | 05 | 1:1 | YES | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Rob Ferreira | 1 | 6 | 17 | 1:2 | Only 15 are trained | 2 not trained of which 1 will be trained next year and other nurse is not interested as he will be 60 next year | 1 |
Themba | 1 | 5 | 17 | 1:1 ventilator 1:2 high care | Only 11 are trained | Training still continue for others | 6 |
Witbank | 1 Adult 1 neonatal | 10 Adult 16 neonatal | 16 Professional 14 Professional | 1:1 1:2 | 9 trained 2 on training | We trained two professionals every year | 1 11 |
NORTHERN CAPE
Kimberley Hospital is the only hospital in the Northern Cape Province with three Intensive Care Units, namely
(1) (a) Number of Intensive Care Units = 3
· Closed Adult Intensive Care Unit (one of about 10 in the country)
· Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
· Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(b) Kimberley Hospital
(c) (i) Number of beds
· Adult = 10 beds
· Paediatric = 6 beds
· Neonatal = 5 beds
(ii) Total number of nurses working in each unit
· Adult ICU = 23
· Paediatric ICU = 12
· Neonatal ICU = 10
(d) Nurse/patient ratio in each unit
· Adult ICU = 1:1.7
· Paediatric ICU = 1:3
· Neonatal ICU = 1:3
(2) (a) ICU Trained Managers
· Adult ICU = No
· Paediatric ICU = No
· Neonatal ICU = Yes (Neonatology)
(b) ICU Trained Nurses
· Adult ICU = 7 (Critical Care)
· Paediatric ICU = 2 (Child Health)
· Neonatal ICU = 1 (Neonatology)
(i) Training plan for all the units are in place with one Professional Nurse per unit identified for training per year.
(ii) Number of Nurses not ICU trained
· Adult ICU = 17
· Paediatric ICU = 10
· Neonatal ICU = 9
WESTERN CAPE
(1) (a) There are three Intensive Care Units (ICU's) in the Province.
(b) They are situated at the level 3 tertiary Hospitals at Red Cross Memorial Children's Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital and the Groote Schuur Hospital.
(c) Information is as follows
Red Cross Hospital
(i) No. of ICU Beds: 20 beds open
(ii) No. of Nurses: Professional Nurses: 53; Staff Nurses: 10; and Auxiliary Nurses: 28
(d) Ratio of Nurses to patients: 1 Professional Nurse and 1 Staff Nurse/Assistant. One nurse is assigned for every 2 patients.
(2) (a) Nursing Managers: Both Assistant Manager and Operational Manager are ICU trained.
(b) Professional Nurses at present 40% of PN's are ICU trained. A further 6 are currently (2009) in training and another 5 will train in 2010.
(i) Not applicable;
(ii) Therefore in 2010 the percentage of trained ICU PN's will increase to 50%.
In order to continue to provide the ICU services operationally we can only send a proportion of staff each year and still continue to be fully operational. Trained ICU staff are in short supply and sought after both within South Africa and Internationally so we continue to loose trained staff each year. This is even more marked in pediatrics as the pool of trained pediatric ICU staff is very limited.
Tygerberg Hospital
(1) (i) 8 x ICU units
(ii) 70 x High Care beds
Number of ICU beds in each unit + nurses work in each unit:
Staff needed 24 hours Staff available 24 hours
(Day + Night) (Day + Night)
PRN SN NA Total PRN SN NA Total
A1 West Surgical x 10 beds 20 4 4 28 16 4 4 24
A1 East Burns x 6 beds 8 8 8 24 8 4 8 20
A2 Cardiothorasic x 8 beds 24 4 4 32 16 8 4 28
A4 Neuro x 10 beds 16 8 0 24 12 4 0 16
A5 Medical/Respiratory x 7 16 4 4 24 12 0 4 16
A6 Cardiology x 8 beds 16 0 0 16 12 0 0 12
A7 Nephrology x 4 beds 8 4 0 12 4 4 0 8
A9 Paediatrics x 6 beds 12 4 4 20 8 0 8 16
A9 Neonatology x 8 beds 14 4 4 22 6 4 4 18
High Care beds :
A1 West Surgical x 2 beds 4 4 4 12 0 4 4 8
A1 East Burns x 16 beds 6 8 8 22 4 4 8 16
A2 Cardiothorasic x 6 beds 8 4 4 16 8 2 4 14
A4 Neuro x 20 beds 4 4 16 24 4 4 8 16
A5 Medical/Respiratory x 13 8 4 12 24 4 4 12 20
A6 Cardiology x 14 beds 8 4 12 24 4 4 12 20
A7 Nephrology x 9 beds 4 4 8 16 4 0 8 12
C2A Labour/Maternity x 4 8 4 0 12 8 4 0 12
A9 Paediatrics x 10 tracheas 4 8 8 20 4 8 0 12
A9 Paediatrics x 2 4 4 4 12 4 4 0 8
(c) Nurse/patient ratio for each unit: Professional Nurses 1:2 (1 Professional Nurse per 2 patients for ventilated or critical patients and depending on the acuity of patients). Other categories of nurses (Staff Nurses and Auxilliary Nurses) average Nurses to Patients 1 nurse to 6 patients.
(2) (a) and (b) The number of trained Professional Nurses needed are not available to appoint. New appointments have to be made (at times with untrained staff) to fill vacant posts in order to cope with the patient load. Replacement trained staff is not available to send nurses for training courses. The services have to cope without nurses on training courses. Staff Nurses and Nurse Auxiliaries do not have specific ICU courses and deliver a support function to the Professional Nurses in ICU's.
(ii) Professional Nurses x 81 out of a total number of 144 working in the ICU's; Staff Nurses x 68 and Nurse Auxiliaries x 100.
Groote Schuur Hospital
Unit | No of beds | Number of Nurses | Nurse/Patient Ratio |
C27 respiratory | 8 | RN – 17; EN/ENA - 16 | 1 RN : 2 patients |
CCC Cardiology ICU | 6 | RN- 9; EN/ENA – 8 | 1 RN : 3 patients |
E26 Source Isolation ICU | 3 | RN – 5 ; EN/ENA - 8 | 1 RN : 3 patients |
F4 Haematology High Care (HC) | 6 | RN – 9; EN/ENA- 8 | 1 RN : 3 patients |
E12 Transplant High Care | 7 | RN – 5; EN/ENA - 4 | 1 RN : 7 patients |
D12 General Surgical ICU | 8 | RN – 17; EN/ENA - 16 | 1 RN : 2 patients |
D13 Neurosurgery ICU | 6 | RN – 13 ; EN/ENA – 8 | 1 RN : 2 patients |
D22 Cardiothoracic ICU | 6 | RN – 13 ; EN/ENA – 8 | 1 RN : 2 patients |
C27 Spinal ICU | 6 | RN – 13 ; EN/ENA – 8 | 1 RN : 2 patients |
TOTAL | 55 |
RN – Registered Nurses
EN/ENA – Enrolled Nurses; Enrolled Nurse Assistants
Registered Nurses in the Units are supported by the EN/ ENA'a for the patient care. 30% of Registered Nurses are from the Nurse Agency Services.
(a) Nurse Manager: Critical Care Diploma and Nurse Management Qualifications; Operational Managers in Charge of the above Units: all have the Diploma in Critical Care; 30% of them have the qualification in nursing management.
(b) Nurses working in ICU Units: approximately 20% of staff has the Diploma in Critical Care – they are strategically placed.
(i) The majority of staff working in the Units have gained clinical skills and experience (+/ - 10 years) in the Units although they have not completed the Diploma. There is a constant motivation for staff to complete the course but some staff opted not to.
(ii) Community Service Nurses and new appointments to Nursing Critical (approx 30%) care come without the exposure or experience.
GSH – Critical Care has a dedicated mentor who arranges weekly in service training and evaluations. 7. For Critical Care Diploma Training we are aligned to the training providers: Western Cape Collage of Nursing and University of Stellenbosch (both provide 1 year training).
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2076
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 26)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether his department has investigated the possibility of declaring foetal alcohol syndrome as a notifiable disease; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2730EREPLY:
The Department has observed an increasing trend in relation to foetal alcohol syndrome especially in the Western Cape Province and other provinces. The step that the Department is considering is to calculate the attributable risk and threshold levels (i.e. if the numbers of cases exceed an agreed level per 100 000 population) in order to come to a scientifically informed decision to make Foetal Alcohol Syndrome and "Notifiable" or "Reportable" condition, as is it was the case with Maternal Mortality.
(a) At the present this particular medical condition (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome) does not conform to being a Notifiable Medical Condition.
(b) The standard criteria used to make medical condition or health event Notifiable are:
1. Its potential to cause an outbreak or epidemic-prone characteristics that can cause a national or international public health emergency;
2. The Notifiable Medical Condition causative agent has a potential for human to human spread, in case of virulent viruses or bacteria may mutate and become an drug resistance;
3. The pathogens usually have a very high transmission potential (air-borne e.g. TB, VHF, pneumonia plague etc); a high fatality rate in a short incubation period (e.g. Cholera, SARS, H5NI, VHF, Rabies) and my lead to a unacceptable high mortality rate (e.g. AIDS) of public significance; there may also be no available effective treatment available for those affected;
4. The emergency may be declared Notifiable by WHO according to the International Health Regulations where the disease could pose an international public health emergency.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2073
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
What action will the Government take regarding the 64 ineffectual municipalities? NW2727E
Answer
The 64 municipalities form part of the basket of municipalities that will receive continued capacity building support in line with Section 154 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The areas of ineffectiveness have been identified as part of Local Government Assessment process and through the National Treasury monitoring reports. In order to address among other the ineffectiveness of municipalities, a Turn Around Strategy and implementation plan has been developed and approved for implementation by Cabinet on the 02 December 2009.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 2071
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2 NOVEMBER 2009
Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:
Whether the Government has received any requests from the information technology sector for tax relief after the workshop held by Cape Silicon during October 2009; if so, what are the
relevant details?
REPLY:
No. The National Treasury has not received any formal request in this regard.
QUESTION 2083
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 06 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 27 -2009]
FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 2083 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
What (a) the fisheries component of her department entails and (b) percentage of the total fish production it represents? NW2739E
REPLY
(a) The component of fisheries administered by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at this point is aquaculture and it is made up of marine and freshwater aquaculture.
(b) Aquaculture represents about 0.6% of the total fisheries production. In 2008 the total fisheries production was about 650 000 tons and aquaculture production was 3 600 tons.