Tygerberg Hospital is committed to ensuring employee safety | Western Cape Government

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Tygerberg Hospital is committed to ensuring employee safety

12 May 2020

Tygerberg Hospital recognises that its employees may experience fear and anxiety following the recent death of a nurse due to the coronavirus (Covid-19). During this period, the hospital management would like to unequivocally assure employees that it is committed to ensuring maximum protection for all against the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The hospital acknowledges each employees’ right to express themselves during this pandemic. The safety of our staff is of utmost importance which is why we have spent a lot of time consulting employees and union representatives on various concerns raised by staff. Senior management have committed to a partnership to engage shop stewards to collectively address these concerns.

In ensuring a healthy workforce the department is engaging laboratories to prioritise the testing of Health Care Workers and persons under investigation. In addition, the Department has also doubled its available PPE stock, which are allocated to staff based on the risk profile. The Department also encourages information sharing with staff, while continuing to adhere to patient confidentiality in the event a staff member does test positive.

We have also made available an updated individual and institutional health risk assessment which managers need to complete for staff to identify those staff members at risk and implement safety measures in their work environment.

The Department is also aware of the fact that many staff members are reliant on public transport to and from work, which also poses a risk to our staff. We have launched various initiatives launched through the support of the Department of Transport and Public Works, which includes adding additional busses specially to Tygerberg Hospital while the Department of Health has also allocated additional vehicles to assist in transporting staff.

Our nurses play an invaluable role in delivering quality healthcare to the Western Cape community. We salute the nurses of the Western Cape and celebrate those who contribute so much of themselves to improve the health and lives of others in need.

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