Health Department spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, reported there was an engagement on Tuesday between hospital management, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa), the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa), the Public Servants Association (PSA), and the National Education, Health & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu). The meeting was aimed at identifying effective and efficient services of mental healthcare users. This follows after employees embarked on a go-slow on Monday, refusing to treat mental health patients allegedly treated in a general medical ward.

“The Department of Health has agreed with the unions in that engagement, to look at workable spaces on the ground floor. A joint delegation was formed, consisting of management and labour unions, that will inspect the alternative spaces where mental healthcare services can potentially be moved to, if they're agreed upon after inspection. This will be explored and a report will be discussed by management and the various unions in a meeting that will be arranged for Friday,” Mvambi said.

ALSO READ: Staff refusing to treat psychiatric patients, on go-slow

OFM News previously reported that staff members at the Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein were on a go-slow as they were refusing to treat psychiatric patients.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi