Health
Whether her Department have any plans to alleviate the work pressure of the staff at the various clinics in Kannaland; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
4. Kannaland Sub-district has a population of 25, 713. There is a 29 bed District hospital in Ladismith rendering acute hospital services to the population of the sub-district.
Service level agreements are in place with Hessequa and Oudtshoorn sub-districts for support and service delivery to the population of Kannaland.
Due to historic patient transport routes, the Calitzdorp community make use of Oudtshoorn Hospital for their hospital service needs.
There are four PHC facilities rendering a Comprehensice Package of Care in each of the major towns: Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Zoar, Amalienstein.
A satellite clinic in Van Wyksdorp and 4 mobile routes in Kannaland.
The Burden of disease in kannaland (2010 BOD study) is as follows:
1). TB (11.7%)
2) HIV/AIDS (9.2%)
3) Interpersonal violence 7.2%)
4) Road injuries 3.8%)
Non-communicable diseases make up the rest.
The work pressure of staff at clinics in Kannaland:
The headcounts decreased with 3,182 in the PHC platform for the first 3 quarters of 201/15 compared to 2013/14. The under 5 year headcount increased with 80 over the same period compared to 2013/14.
The Professional workload at the clinics for an 8 hour day cycle varies between 24-33 patients (norm is an average of 35). The workload on the mobile routes varies from 30-49. This is mostly a preventative service.
The workload is in line with other facilities in the Eden District, however, since November 2014 Kannaland experienced several staff shortages due to:
- Long periods of sick leave
- Maternity leave
- Vacant posts for long periods due to challenges of recruitment and selection to rural areas.
This resulted in staff being re-deployed to cover all service points and increasing workload at certain clinics.
The problem was addressed by the Eden District office by appointing contract staff against vacant posts, agency staff and a community service nurse.
The Eden District Office is looking at equity of staff allocation to sub-districts and will shift resources in the district to address the most pressing needs.
