Gaye Davis
A NATIONAL survey of political responses to last year’s nurses’ strike has revealed that “wholly inadequate” health information systems are hindering the government’s ability to communicate with employees and deal with industrial action.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health canvassed the national and provincial health departments for information about the nature and extent of industrial action, its financial impact, nurses’ grievances, communities affected and their responses.
Its report, released this week, says what emerged was a wide degree of variation between national and provincial figures on the number of health centres affected and the level of strike action — even though provincial departments were in daily contact with the national department.
Only two provinces reflected on the strike, noting there had been no evaluation of the way the strike was handled at national and provincial level and no feedback on the outcome of bargaining chamber discussions which saw its eventual resolution, nor on the costs of the strike.