Cost-cutting at the expense of care and training : the predictable consequences of attempts at austerity by the Gauteng Department of Health

Abstract

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has recently initiated drastic austerity measures, including the unilateral downgrading of commuted overtime (COT) tiers, the termination of sessional contracts, and non-filling of posts following resignations and retirement. These actions were taken without meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders, and have sent shockwaves through Gauteng Province’s public healthcare system. At stake are not only overtime contracts and working hours, but the very foundations of patient care, professional training for medical students and specialist training, and the future sustainability of healthcare delivery in South Africa (SA)’s most populous province.