Nursing excellence: Making a commitment to care
The caregivers and health promotion officers marking a new era in healthcare excellence.
The launch of the Caregivers & Health Promotion Officers (CHPC-SA) on April 5, at the Directorate Enforcing Elder Persons Rights (DEOPR) caring facility in the Hill, signified a new era for healthcare professionals in Johannesburg.
This event highlighted the CHPC built on the principles of dedicated service to humanity, mirroring the values upheld by qualified nurses who prioritise patient care and safety.
DEOPR is lobbying for the rights of older persons and enforcing the older persons charter in partnership with the South African Association of Homes (SAAHA), is the association representing retirement sector facilities, old age homes and welfare facilities.
The organisation represents the elderly on legislative matters that affect the retirement industry.
Caregivers and health promotion officers need to do courses accredited with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and or Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA).
For example, a health promotion officer needs a SAQA 94597 / NQF level 3 qualification; home-based personal caregivers need to have a SAQA 104792 / NQF level 3; a home-based personal care assistant, a SAQA / NQF level 2; and a disability attendant, a SAQA 104908 / NQF Level 3 qualification.
After this certified training, the student must do practical training, including basic firefighting, evacuation and first aid.
DEOPR and SAAHA formed a partnership and realised the caregiving and health promotion sectors needed intervention, as many caregivers in the industry do not comply and do not have the correct training credentials as per the legislation.
DEOPR and SAAHA saw the need for a regulating authority to protect entities that employ caregivers, the industry, and the care workers.
This ideology gave birth to the Caregivers & Health Promotion Council – South Africa.
Seven student nurses/caregivers attained their qualifications at the ceremony. Busisiwe Hadebe, Pretty Ndlovu, Samkelisiwe Khanye, Mamsi Twala, Zepo Majoz, Thembisa Moni and Sithembisa Buthelezi received certifications in different caregiving fields.
