Job freeze at Tembisa Hospital
The drastic measure of freezing posts is bound to cause problems, says the Gauteng health MEC.
Tembisa Hospital.
Gauteng’s health department has informed state hospitals that all appointments of new personnel are frozen, Tembisan reports.
DA Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom says this is due to the ever-increasing over-expenditure on the compensation of employees’ budget.
READ MORE: Residents speak out on problems plaguing Tembisa Hospital
“This is despite the large increase in the health budget that was announced this week from R41.9 billion to R46.4 billion.
“Hospital managers were informed that a decision has been taken to sternly monitor the filling of posts in all facilities,” said Bloom.
He said all posts that are currently being filled are to be put on hold, even where interviews have already been conducted.
“Furthermore, all adverts and filling of posts is now centralised, which takes away the previous autonomy of hospitals in this matter.
“The drastic measure of freezing posts is bound to cause problems, particularly when critical positions need to be filled as soon as possible.”
He said a more considered approach is needed to ensure that healthcare does not deteriorate because of key staff vacancies.
The Tembisan verified the facts with Tembisa Hospital CEO Dr Lekopane Mogaladi, who confirmed there was a moratorium on the hiring of staff within the current financial year, which ends in March.
He also said that is a directive from the department of health.
“We can only appoint in April. Those who have already applied now, we will take those and look into them,” said Mogaladi.
He said that for professional staff vacancies, the hospital has to motivate the appointment, despite the moratorium.
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