Horrific living conditions of nurse quarters
ROSSMORE – The shocking living conditions of government accommodation for nurses was put under the spotlight after an exposé by SABC News.
Nurses at Helen Joseph Hospital in Rossmore return from long shifts, attending to patients, to horrific living conditions at their nurses’ quarters.
An investigation led by SABC News revealed on 9 December the deteriorating living conditions nurses are subjected to in yet another exposé of the poor service delivery from the Department of Health.
The news broadcast revealed the blocked water system that floods passages, forcing residents to walk on planks and bricks to reach their rooms.
DA Gauteng shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom said that it is disgraceful for the nurses to be living under such conditions for so many years.
“It has been clear for a long time that something needs to be done to improve the shameful living conditions nurses live under at public quarters. The deterioration of the building has gotten so bad that it may be an illegal site and health hazard that goes against the law,” said Bloom.
Toilets and basins were also shown to be blocked and overflowing. Bedroom windows were broken, kitchen facilities were substandard and there is an unattended dumping site at the entrance of the nurses’ quarters.
Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem said that Cope calls upon the Human Rights Commission to take action against the Department of Health for violating the rights of nurses.
“We urge the Human Rights Commission to visit government accommodation for nurses all around the country,” said Bloem.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Department of Health Spokesperson Steve Mabona said the hospital management is aware of the nurses’ living conditions and there is a plan to address it.
“The engineers appointed by the department have completed the scoping process and as such refurbishments will commence in 2016. Currently plumbers are on site to fix toilet blockages,” said Mabona.
He added that nurses quarters are overcrowded with people who reside there illegally, and who the department is struggling to remove. Once the renovations are complete, the department will only allow employees who qualify to reside at the nurse quarters and ensure that security will be improved.
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