15 August 2014

ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESCRIBING OF MORPHINE BY PROFESSIONAL NURSES

The South African Nursing Council has noted with concern a statement by DENOSA which implies that the Council is withholding “rights” of Professional Nurses to prescribe Morphine.  We regard the statement as reckless and misleading and we would like to provide clarity as follows:

The current provision is for authorised Professional Nurses to prescribe medicine from Schedule 1 to Schedule 4.  Note has to be taken that Morphine is a Schedule 6 drug, therefore outside the current provisions pertaining to the prescribing of medicine by the Professional Nurses.  It must be further noted that for a Professional Nurse, to qualify as an authorised prescriber, she/he must comply not only with the Nursing Act 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005), but also with other legislation such as the Medicine and Related Substances Control Act (Act No. 101 of 1965) and the Pharmacy Act (Act No. 53 of 1974).  The aforesaid authorisation is issued by the Director General (DG) of Health to the practitioners who met the prescribed requirements stated in the Medicine and Related Substance Control Act 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965).  In this respect we find the statement by DENOSA not only misleading to the Public and the practitioners but also devoid of truth and material facts.  In our quest to address issues relating to nurse prescribers, SANC has just finalized the review of the current Nursing Act and will be working with all relevant stakeholders such as the Medicines Control Council (MCC), the National Department of Health and the Pharmacy Council in an attempt to find an amicable solution for authorization of Professional Nurses and Midwives as prescribers for certain schedules of medicines in a way that will be consistent with our mandate to protect the Public whilst also ensuring that we fully support Primary Health Care (PHC) re-engineering and the role played by Professional Nurses and Midwives in delivery of health care services in South Africa.

This will ensure that Professional Nurses and Midwives who successfully completed a prescribed programme or prescribed supplementary courses are able to prescribe medicine in accordance with the prescripts of the Nursing Act and other relevant legislation.  Our approach as SANC is not aimed at addressing the challenges faced by Professional Nurses in palliative care only, but also to address challenges faced by the Nurse and Midwife Specialists working in different clinical settings and disciplines who are confronted with the same challenges on a daily basis.

ENDS

Issued by

The Registrar & CEO:  Mr Tendani Mabuda
South African Nursing Council
Cecilia Makiwane Building
P O Box 1123
Pretoria
0001

For more information contact:

Ms Party Day Moloi
Tel : 012 426 9542 / 083 496 8366
Fax : 012 426 9554 / 086 231 9094

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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9 May 2014

ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY 2014

MESSAGE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

The 12th of May is a day when nurses globally reflect on and celebrate the meaning and value of their contribution in the health care delivery.  This celebration emanates from the birthday of the Nursing Icon, Florence Nightingale, who made great strides in the development of nursing as a profession.

Nurses form the largest health care workforce hence often referred to, in many spheres, as the backbone of the health care system.  This is indeed demonstrated by nurses coming to the rescue of the health care system in the form of task shifting to meet the dynamic contextual challenges.  For example, when the HIV/AIDS pandemic set in, the nurses began to maintain and later initiate ART under the banner of NIMART.  The NHI is currently being implemented and the nurses are playing the greatest role to ensure universal access and affordability of health care to the South African Community.  The quadruple disease burden has required reshaping the role of even the lower categories of nursing to the extent that a need has arisen that the scope of all categories and curriculum be changed to meet the current challenges in South Africa.  It is therefore not surprising that the theme to celebrate this day for 2014 is:

“Nurses: A force for change – A vital resource for health”

In 2014, the Nurses’ Day coincides with the celebration of the 20 years of democracy which the nurses were part of and aligned themselves with.  Soon after democracy, nurses have formed a democratically elected Nursing Council which has aligned the legislative framework to assist nurses to meet the demands of a health system in transformation.  The South African nurses have been able to meet in numbers to determine their fate in a summit held in 2011, culminating in a compact that gave birth to The Strategic Plan for Nurse Education, Training and Practice 2012/13 – 2016/17.  The Minister of Health, Dr. Motsoaledi has appointed the Chief Nursing Offer to facilitate the implementation of this strategy.  All we need as nurses is to hold hands and find our way forward.

The South African Nursing Council supports all the efforts to meet above mentioned challenges.  For example, the Council has realigned the Scopes of Practice and is transforming Nursing Education at all levels using a consultative process with relevant structures.  This includes formalization of a specialist category to support ever shifting tasks for nurses.

Most importantly, the South African Nursing Council salutes nurses of this country who despite daily pressures and challenges, continue to prioritize the welfare of their patients and continue to keep the lamp of Florence Nightingale burning.  However, the Council urges the South African nurses to keep in mind that nursing is a noble profession and professionalism and ethics must take centre stage in all our endeavours.

The South African Nursing Council hopes, with the support of the South African nurses at all levels and structures, to: Think strategically, act ethically and lead professionally.

ENDS

Issued by

The Chairperson : Prof B R Bhengu
South African Nursing Council
Cecilia Makiwane Building
P O Box 1123
Pretoria
0001

For more information contact

Ms Party Day Moloi
Tel : 012 426 9542 / 083 496 8366
Fax : 012 426 9554 / 086 231 9094

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

10 May 2013

ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

International Nurses day is celebrated annually on 12th May to commemorate the birth of Florence Nightingale who made a significant contribution towards the nursing profession.  This day also presents nurses globally with an opportunity to remember and reflect on the meaning and value of their contribution in the delivery of health care.

The theme for 2013 is Closing the Gap: the Millennium Development Goals: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

The South African Nursing Council, as the statutory body has developed a range of enabling instruments for nurses to take a lead towards the achievement of the United Nations health related Millennium Development Goals (4, 5 and 6) which focuses on the reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

As carers in the coalface of disease; pain; helplessness and despair, I am also grateful that working together we have indeed made remarkable strides in many areas including the notable successes in reversing the tide of HIV and AIDS.

Today our country under the leadership guidance of Honourable President Jacob Zuma is hailed as a shining example having succeeded in putting more than 1, 7 million people on life saving Antiretroviral treatment; on bringing in more than 20 million people to test for HIV and most remarkably reducing the mother to child transmission rate from 8% in 2008 to 3.5 per cent in 2010 and to 2.7 per cent in 2011.  One thing is certain, the above could not have been achieved without the involvement of appropriately skilled committed and compassionate nurses.

Today as we celebrate this all important day we also need to be mindful of the fact that our country has a responsibility as directed by the African Union under the auspices of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) to ensure that indeed, “No Woman Should Die While Giving Life!”  Again midwives of our country have the expertise, skills and clinical acumen to ensure that both the mother and the new-bon baby come out alive and well to be celebrated as a gift to their families.

Our work as nurses in this country is never going to be an easy one due to the fact that the South African health system is predominantly nurse driven.  On behalf of SANC, I salute and commend those nurses who regardless of all challenges encountered within the health care system, still prioritize the wellbeing of the patients.  Thus contributing the long and healthy life for all.

ENDS

Issued by

The Chairperson: Dr JN Makhanya

The South African Nursing Council
Cecilia Makiwane Building
P.O. Box 1123
Pretoria
0001

For more information contact: Ms Party Day Moloi

Tel : 012 426 9542 / 083 496 8366
Fax : 012 426 9554 / 086 231 9094

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

3 April 2013

ATTENTION: ALL MEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNACCREDITED NURSING PROGRAMMES

It has come to the South African Nursing Council’s attention, that there are training institutions which are misleading the community and learners by informing them that they are offering Ancillary Nursing as a nursing programme. This programme is not accredited by SANC and learners who are enrolled for it will not be recognized and registered as nurses.

SANC only register nursing education institutions that are accredited to offer basic legacy qualifications which are: Auxiliary Nursing, Enrolled Nursing, Bridging Course and Four Year Comprehensive Course and these legacy qualifications will be phased out in June 2015. The following new basic nursing qualifications will then be phased in: 

	Bachelor in Nursing
	Diploma in Nursing
	Higher Certificate : Auxiliary Nursing
	Advanced Diploma in Midwifery

SANC is also aware that there are other accredited nursing education institutions which are offering Ancillary Nursing, as a prerequisite for learners to enroll for Auxiliary Nursing. SANC would like to distance itself from such practices as this is not a prerequisite for enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary in terms of SANC regulations .

SANC therefore urges the community and the learners to check first with us whether the programmes that they are enrolling for are legitimate. We can be contacted on +27 12 420 1000 or log onto www.sanc.co.za.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience this has caused the learners and the community at large. However SANC encourages the community to report such cases so that necessary investigations can be conducted to ensure that appropriate actions are taken against all those responsible for this misleading and unprofessional behavior.

ENDS

Issued by

Mr Tendani Mabuda
REGISTRAR AND CEO
SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

For more information contact

Ms Party Day Moloi
Tel : 012 426 9542
Cell : 083 496 8366

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

11 May 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

The South African Nursing Council joins the nurses around the globe as we commemorate the International Nurses Day, acknowledging the scientific, ethical and professional influence that Florence Nightingale had on the nursing profession.  Nurses, globally on this day remember and reflect on the meaning and value of their own and collective contribution in the delivery of health care.

The theme for 2012 is “Closing the Gap: from evidence to action”

The South African Nursing Council celebrates this historical milestone by acknowledging the tireless efforts of all nurses in South Africa, who despite daily pressures and challenges, continue to prioritize the welfare of their patients.

This year, on International Nurses’ Day the South African Nursing Council will be paying tribute to the pioneers of nursing.  Chief amongst these would be the celebrations of Cecilia Makiwane, the first black professional nurse to obtain state registration in Africa in January 1908.  In addition the Council will pay tribute and salute visionary leadership provided by various nurse leaders in the transformation of the nursing profession in line with the democratic principles espoused in the Constitution of South Africa.

A year ahead provide a golden opportunity for nurses to define a strategic role to be played by nurses in contributing to a long and healthy life for all, specifically in the implementation of nurse driven primary health care, a strategy for ensuring citizenry access to basic health care.  We are also optimistic that our midwives will embrace the introduction of midwife-led obstetric services as an opportunity for saving mothers and saving the babies of our country

ENDS

Issued by

The chairperson: Ms JN Makhanya

South African Nursing Council
P.O. Box 1123
Pretoria
0001

Tel : 012 426 9542 / 083 496 8366
Fax : 012 426 9554 / 086 231 9094

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

4 June 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NURSES OF SOUTH AFRICA MOURN THE DEATH OF AN ICON:
NONTSIKELELO ALBERTINA SISULU

The nurses of South African mourn the passing on of Mrs Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu – an icon and a mother to the nursing profession through the window of nursing struggled for better health for all at the height of inhumane apartheid system.

“Mrs. Sisulu’s passing on has left a void and beckons to the conscience of all nurses; and those who continue to misrepresent the ethos of her profession, to come forward and stand in active solidarity at the side of the those who practice the profession with honour, as ‘Mama Sisulu’ did, in this hour of our grief,” says the Chairperson of the South African Nursing Council (SANC) Ms. Nonhlanhla Makhanya.

Born on the 21st of October in 1918 in Tsomo (in the former Transkei), Mrs. Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu joined the nursing profession after completing her training (Certificate in Nursing, 1944) at was known as the Johannesburg Non-European (now Chris Hani Baragwaneth) Hospital.  She worked at the Johannesburg Non-European Hospital as a nurse and later trained and obtained a Certificate in Midwifery (1954).  She contributed 43 years of her life to the nursing profession.

Through the window of nursing, Mama Sisulu was able to view with particular clarity fundamental struggles and tension that were taking place in South Africa at the time.  Nursing brought her to ‘the heart of South African conditions’ for in nursing she was confronted by the ‘intensity of the dynamics of race, class and gender’.

Mrs. Albertina Sisulu was a pioneer, using a climate of adversity as a driving force, for community-oriented nursing a model that would typify community-based primary healthcare in South Africa.

SANC says that her name stands besides the likes of Charlotte Maxeke – the first black woman to receive a Bachelor’s degree in 1907, Cecilia Makiwane – who in January 7 1908 became the first black professional nurse, Margaret Resha and Mary Malahlela who became the first female Black doctor in South Africa.

“One writer Kuper (1965),” continues Ms. Makhanya “noted; ‘Nursing bestows on an African woman new opportunities for freedom of individual development, but carries the burden of added responsibilities.  It brings them past the threshold of Western knowledge, but shuts the door of equality in their faces.’  The life of Mrs. Sisulu was a personification of this note.”

To the Sisulu family, in this hour of profound grief, we firmly stand by them and convey to them our heartfelt condolences, concludes Ms Makhanya.

ENDS

ISSUED BY:
MS JABULILE NONHLANHLA MAKHANYA
CHAIRPERSON: SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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