Circular 2/2021 Directive for consistent provision of personal protective equipment to frontline nursing staff
Circular 2/2021: Directive for consistent provision of personal protective equipment to frontline nursing staff
25 May 2021
DIRECTIVE FOR CONSISTENT PROVISION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO FRONTLINE NURSING STAFF
Click the link below to download the signed PDF of Circular 2/2021
Media Release 1/2021 The SANC – International Nurses Day 2021
Media Release 1/2021: INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2021
12 May 2021
FOR ATTENTION : NEWS EDITOR
SUBJECT : INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2021
DATE : 11 MAY 2021
International Nurses Day is celebrated globally on 12 May every year, which is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The theme for 2021 is
Nurses: A Voice to Lead – A vision for future healthcare. The theme is set by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and has the objective of showing how nursing will look into the future as well as how the profession will transform the next stage of healthcare.
The ICN emphasises that this global COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the important role that nurses play in keeping people healthy across the lifespan. In 2021, the ICN will focus on the changes to and innovations in nursing and how this will ultimately shape the future of healthcare.
According to ICN, the International Nurses Day 2021 theme reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on the health system and the nursing profession and how these might be affected into the future. Nurses, as the largest healthcare profession, must play an integral part in planning the future of healthcare.
Ms Sizo Mchunu, SANC Registrar & CEO says: “As the statutory body, the SANC is committed to assist in ensuring production of competent nurse practitioners who will provide scientific, comprehensive, and quality nursing to patients, families and communities within the legal and ethical framework.
It is vital that the country trains enough nurse practitioners to replace those retiring so that the country continues to deliver quality care”, says Ms Mchunu.
Working as a nurse means you will be working shifts and long hours and night duty, dedicated solely to the well-being of the patients in your care. You will also work closely with other health professionals such as Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Dieticians, to mention a few.
The value of a true nurse lies in the ability to show respect for human life and dignity, social justice and integrity, and total commitment to patients and other healthcare users.
If you are that person, the nursing profession is awaiting you…
Visit www.sanc.co.za for the list of accredited Nursing Education Institutions and make the correct career choice today.
The SANC salutes all nurses who, despite daily challenges, always put the lives of the patients first. We wish you a happy and blessed International Nurses Day.
ENDS
Issued by:
Mrs. Adri van Eeden
Senior Manager: Marketing and Communication
South African Nursing Council
E-mail: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Nurses trade union holds Department of Health responsible for alleged negligence of baby leading to amputation
Nurses trade union holds Department of Health responsible for alleged negligence of baby leading to amputation
From: Mpumalanga News, 14 April 2021
The Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union (YNITU) encouraged the parents of the infant whose arm had to be amputated due to alleged negligence to sue the Mpumalanga Department of Health. The union alleged there was only one professional registered nurse and two junior nurses working with a junior doctor at the casualty ward on the day the little boy was admitted at the hospital. The union’s president, Lerato Mthunzi, said, “The staffing situation at the neonatal ward where the baby was transferred to following admission was also bad. The junior staff members supposed to work under supervision are thrown in the deep end, while being forced to work alone in crowded wards. “
Read More by clicking here…
New nursing bursary system criticised
New nursing bursary system criticised
From: The Star, 08 April 2021
SONRI NAIDOO NURSING students in the public sector continue to express their frustration with the Department of Health, claiming the government’s new bursary system is exploitative. They say the system is “motivated by greed”, and described it as a “poor funding model”. The South African nursing education system was restructured in 2010, changing student nurses from supernumerary status to bursary holders. This saw the introduction of a new bursary system that removed certain benefits such as a pension fund, medical aid scheme and performance bonuses. The students also receive a stipend which they claim is not enough for accommodation, food, transport, textbooks and their uniform.
Read More by clicking here…
Probe into newborn’s death after mother ’sent to another hospital with umbilical cord still attached’
Probe into newborn’s death after mother ’sent to another hospital with umbilical cord still attached’
From: Independent Online, 06 April 2021
The provincial health department has committed to launching an investigation following the death of a newborn baby amid allegations of negligence by medical staff. This comes after Nerina Swartz, 37, from Elsies River, was allegedly turned away at Elsies River Day Hospital, where she said a midwife obstetric unit (MOU) nurse referred her to Tygerberg Hospital with her premature baby still attached to her umbilical cord. The baby died after she arrived at Tygerberg Hospital. Provincial health spokesperson Mark van der Heever said they would also be cooperating with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which has been alerted to the matter.
Read More by clicking here…
Circular 1/2021 The SANC – Easter Holidays Closure
Circular 1/2021: SANC Easter Holidays closure
29 March 2021
Please be informed that the South African Nursing Council (SANC) offices will be closed from Thursday, 1 April 2021 at 12:00 and will re-open on Tuesday, 6 April 2021 at 8:00.
Wishing you safe travels over the Easter holidays.
Cape Town nurse opens up about Covid-19 vaccine jab
Cape Town nurse opens up about Covid-19 vaccine jab
From: Independent Online, 28 March 2021
Sister Rowena Jacobs, a nurse at Groote Schuur Hospital who has been in the medical industry for nearly 40 years, is also one of the hospital’s vaccinators. Jacobs, who recently received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, contracted the virus during the first wave and has first-hand experience of working during
the pandemic. “I had the vaccination three weeks ago. All staff were given the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I had no side-effects, although some might experience a fever or swelling,” she said.
Read More by clicking here…
Circular 13/2020: Requisites to perform functions relating to the profession of Nursing by Nurse Educators/Lecturers
Circular 13/2020: Requisites to perform functions relating to the profession of Nursing by Nurse Educators/Lecturers
24 December 2020
TO: | Heads of Health (Provincial Departments of Health) |
Vice-Chancellors (Universities of South Africa) | |
Chief Nursing Officer (National Department of Health) | |
Directors of Nursing Services | |
Directors of Nursing Education | |
Heads of Nursing Education Institutions | |
All Stakeholders |
Requisites to perform functions relating to the profession of Nursing by Nurse Educators/Lecturers
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this correspondence is to reiterate:
1.1 pre-requisites for performing functions relating to the profession of nursing by any person responsible for education and training of nurses and midwives; and
1.2 sanctions/ consequences of non-compliance with the provisions of the Nursing Act and its regulations.
2. LEGAL REQUISITES
2.1 The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is a Statutory Health Professional Council that is mandated to regulate the nursing profession by establishing and maintaining standards of nursing education, training and practice in South Africa. It is an autonomous body established by the Nursing Act, 1944 (Act No. 45 of 1944), and currently operating under the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).
2.2. The SANC, through the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005 (the Act), is empowered to, among others:
- accredit nursing education institutions, nursing programmes and monitor assessments by nursing education providers in accordance with this Act or any other law; and
- withdraw or suspend accreditation of a nursing education institution, or nursing programme if the education or training provided does not comply with the prescribed requirements and inform the relevant licensing authority.
2.3. Regulations relating to the Accreditation of Institutions as Nursing Education Institutions (Government Notice No. R 173 of 08 March 2013), prescribes the following requirements, among others:
2(1) An institution may be accredited as a nursing education institution if –
(a) it has a designated person in charge of the nursing education and training institution who –
(i) is registered with the Council as a professional nurse;
(ii) has an additional qualification in nursing education;
(iii) is in possession of a management qualification;
(iv) holds at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing; and
(v) holds a nursing qualification that is a level higher than the highest qualification
offered by the nursing education institution or, if the highest qualification offered is a doctoral degree, a nursing qualification at an equal level.
2.4 By virtue of the provisions of section 31(3) of the Act, which states that
“An employer must not employ or keep in his employment a person to perform the functions pertaining to the profession of, other than a person who holds the necessary qualification and who is registered under section (1) or (2)”.
3. SANC ‘S OBSERVATION
It has come to the attention of the Council of the SANC that some employers, especially in the higher education sector, do not comply with the above prescripts in that they:
- employ and retain in their employ, persons who are not registered with the SANC to perform functions relating to the profession of nursing such as education and training of nurses and midwives; and
- appoint persons who do not possess the required qualifications into a position of a Head of Nursing Education Institution or Head of Nursing.
This is in direct violation of the Act and its regulations. Having noted the concern, the Council of the SANC deliberated on the matter at its virtual meeting of 21-22 October 2020 and resolved that communication be sent to relevant persons and authorities to highlight the gravity of the matter.
4. IMPLICATIONS
Non-compliance with the above –mentioned prescripts may result in:
- Invalidation of accreditation;
- Criminal charges against the person who employed and retained a person that is not registered with the SANC to perform functions relating to the profession of nursing; and
- Criminal charges against a person who performs functions relating to the nursing profession while not registered with the SANC in one of the prescribed categories.
Employers are therefore urged to comply with the provisions of the Act and its regulations.
5. ENQUIRIES
For further information in respect of this correspondence you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education &Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
(Signed)
Ms SA Mchunu
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council
Circular 14/2020: Examinations conducted by the South African Nursing Council
Circular 14/2020: Examinations conducted by the South African Nursing Council
22 December 2020
TO: | National Department of Health |
Provincial Departments of Health | |
Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) | |
All stakeholders |
Examinations conducted by the South African Nursing Council
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this circular is to notify the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and other relevant stakeholders about the following matters pertaining to the examinations that are conducted by the South African Nursing Council:
- Examinations written in October 2020
- Re-writing of failed examination papers/portions
- Late applications for entry into examination
- End date of the SANC-conducted examinations for the legacy nursing qualifications
- SANC examination for the new nursing qualifications
2. EXAMINATIONS WRITTEN IN OCTOBER 2020
2.1 Background
The May 2020 examination was postponed due to the COVID-19 Alert level 5 lockdown. The examination dates were rescheduled and communicated accordingly. The students wrote the postponed examination in October 2020.
2.2 Way forward
- Students who were not successful in the October 2020 examination will rewrite in May 2021; and
- Students who were successful in the October 2020 examination will write the final examination in November 2021.
3. RE-WRITING OF FAILED EXAMINATION PAPERS/PORTIONS
This serves to remind the NEIs that irrespective of the phasing out of the legacy nursing qualifications, the procedure to be followed by the candidates for re-writing of failed examination papers or portions remains the same, i.e.
3.1 A candidate who has failed a portion/paper in the Council examination for the first time follows the process outlined below:
3.1.1 Re-entry into any of the two consecutive examinations after publication of the examination results
- An examination application form and prescribed fee must be submitted to the Council by the NEI;
- These submissions must be made within the prescribed time frames;
- Credits of the passed portion/paper will be retained; and
- A candidate who has failed twice may be offered academic support by the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) in preparation for the third re-entry into an examination. The NEI will keep and maintain records of such academic support. 3.1.2. A candidate who after three attempts (full academic year) fails the
3.1.2. A candidate who after three attempts (full academic year) fails the examination, re-registers for the course and resumes training.
4. LATE APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY TO EXAMINATION
4.1 Background
The examination schedule which also outlines the closing dates for admission of students to the examination is published in advance during the last quarter of each calendar year for the examination to be conducted during the following year.
4.1.2 In terms of section (4) (1) of the Regulations relating to the examinations of the South African Nursing Council (Government Notice No. R7. of 8 of January 1993 as amended) on application for admission to an examination, “A candidate shall submit to the Council an application for admission to an examination not later than the seventh day of the month, three months prior to the month in which the examination is to be conducted”.
4.1.3 In terms of section (4)(2): An application for admission to an examination submitted later than the date referred to in sub-regulation (1) may be accepted by the Council-
- if it is submitted within seven days of the date referred to in sub-regulation (1) and is accompanied by the late entry fee prescribed by regulation 16(c); or
- if, in the case of a candidate who has failed one or more portions of an examination but who qualifies for a further examination, it is submitted before or on the date which shall be published together with the results of the examination in which the candidate failed, in which case no late entry fee shall be payable.
4.2 Council resolution
At the virtual meeting held on 21-22 October 2020 the Council resolved that the NEI, not the students, should be responsible for payment of such late registration fees referred to in section 4.1 above.
4.3 Implications for future examinations
4.3.1 The examination section has been inundated with late submissions of applications which are outside the stipulations as indicated in sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above. This creates an administrative nightmare for the examination section. The practice also exposes SANC to risks.
It is on this basis that from the year 2021, the following will apply
- NO EXAMINATION APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE EXAMINATION REGULATIONS AS STATED IN SECTIONS
- 4.1.2 AND 4.1.3 ABOVE. NEIs must strictly adhere to the examination schedule that is published on a yearly basis.
4.3.2 NEIs which fail to apply for students’ examination entry as per published examination schedule will be liable for any litigation that may ensue since the affected students will not write the examination.
5. END DATE OF THE SANC CONDUCTED EXAMINATIONS FOR THE LEGACY QUALIFICATIONS
5.1 Background
5.1.1 Circular 3/2020, issued on 28 January 2020 indicated that the end dates of the SANC conducted legacy examinations will be announced in March 2020. The examination dates were not communicated because of the uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5.1.2 The last examination dates are as reflected in the table below:
Type of Examination | Last Examination Date |
Examination for the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to registration as a General or Psychiatric Nurse, in line with Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 (as amended). | November 2023 |
Examination for the course leading to registration as a Midwife, in line with Government Notice No. R.254 of 14 February 1975 (as amended). | November 2022 |
Final examination for the course leading to registration as a Psychiatric Nurse, in line with Government Notice No. R.880 of 02 May 1975 (as amended) | November 2022 |
Examination for the Diploma Course in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care, in line with Government Notice No. R.48 of 22 January 1982 (as amended). | November 2022 |
Admission examination for foreign applicants for the following: Registration as a Nurse. | November 2023 |
5.2 Implications
5.2.1 The NEI should bring the contents of this circular to the attention of students.
5.2.2 The end dates will not be changed under any circumstances.
5.2.3 The NEIs and the students should be aware that from beginning of 2024 onwards the SANC will no longer conduct summative examinations for the above nursing programmes as well as the admission examination for foreign applicants/nurses.
6. SANC examination for the new nursing qualifications
6.1. Background
6.1.1 Circular 3/2020 issued on 28 January 2020 communicated future examination practices of SANC for the new nursing qualifications.
6.1.2 Students who are enrolled for the new nursing programmes will be required to write and pass the licensure examination on completion of training before their names are entered in the SANC register.
6.1.3 The licensure examination system is still under way. The Council, at its virtual meeting approved the project to conduct nursing practice analysis/task analysis which will inform the blue print for the licensure examination.
6.1.4 Students who are currently undergoing and are due to complete the Higher certificate in Nursing will however take up the SANC-conducted examination for professional entry in May/November 2021.
6.1.5 Foreign applicants/nurses will also be required to write and pass the licensure examination before they are entered in the SANC register at the beginning of 2024.
6.2 The examination dates
Examination | Examination Dates | Closing dates for examination applications |
Examination for the Higher certificate in Nursing in line with Government Notice No. R.169 of 8 March 2013 | 5 May 2021 | 2 April 2021 |
3 November 2021 | 7 August 2021 |
6.3 Implications
6.3.1. NEIs should submit the Completion records by 15 March 2021 as only students who were successful will be considered for the examination.
6.3.2. Students have a choice to select the examination date that suit their needs.
6.3.3. NEIs should submit the examination applications on behalf of the students who intend to write the May 2021 examination as indicated in the schedule above.
6.3.4. Students will be responsible to download the examination application form on the SANC website at www.sanc.co.za in case they choose to write the examination other than May 2021. The form together with proof of payment of applicable examination fees should be emailed to [email protected].
6.3.5. The examination will for now be conducted at the NEI where one was enrolled for the programme.
6.3.6. The examination question paper will be based on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria of the programme.
6.3.7. The students will be required to hand over the examination question paper after writing.
6.3.8. Only one examination paper of 100 marks will be written.
7. IMPLEMENTATION
This Circular becomes implementable and valid on the date of issue. For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo, SANC Senior Manager: Education &Training at (012) 420 1022 or on e-mail at: [email protected].
Yours sincerely,
(Signed)
Ms SA Mchunu
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council