The Gauteng Department of Health has initiated disciplinary action against 21 emergency medical services (EMS) officials for allegedly failing to complete their scheduled working hours. According to Gauteng Health spokesperson Steve Mabona, the officials are accused of breaching their employment contracts and approved shift rosters. The department emphasizes that EMS operations across the province remain uninterrupted and that none of the officials are currently suspended.
The disciplinary action follows concerns that the officials did not comply with their contractual obligations and approved shift rosters. Mabona stressed that EMS is an essential service, and its employees are required to adhere to their contractual obligations and approved shift rosters. The department has put contingency measures in place to ensure emergency calls continue to receive a response, including support from nearby EMS stations based on operational needs and outstanding calls.
The Gauteng Department of Health has assured that overtime, averaging of working hours, and compressed working arrangements are managed in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. Other overtime is remunerated through planned leave rosters, approved event submissions, and late calls dispatched by the Emergency Communication Centre. Employees who do not report for scheduled working hours are subject to the applicable no-work-no-pay principle, in accordance with policy.
The department has rejected reports that the employees had been threatened with dismissal. However, the matter has been reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) following concerns that the conduct may have contravened professional and ethical rules applicable to emergency care practitioners. Mabona emphasized that the Gauteng Department of Health takes employee discipline seriously and will not tolerate ill-discipline or conduct that compromises the delivery of essential health services.
The Gauteng Department of Health is reviewing its EMS working hours policy through the Gauteng Health Policy Development Unit, together with institutions. The review aims to ensure that working-hour arrangements remain clear and properly managed. Mabona highlighted that EMS employees have an ethical responsibility to put patients and communities at the centre of their work.
Mabona emphasized that EMS personnel provide a critical, life-saving service, and employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that protects the lives and wellbeing of patients who depend on emergency medical services. The department will continue supporting EMS officials while ensuring that appropriate processes are followed where there are allegations of misconduct or failure to comply with contractual obligations.
The Gauteng Department of Health remains committed to ensuring that EMS operations continue to provide essential services to the community. The department is working to resolve the issues and ensure that EMS officials adhere to their contractual obligations. Key to this effort is the review of the EMS working hours policy and the implementation of contingency measures to maintain uninterrupted services.
Key points
- 21 Gauteng EMS officials face disciplinary action for breaching shift rosters.
- The Gauteng Department of Health has referred concerns about the officials' professional conduct to the HPCSA.
- The department is reviewing its EMS working hours policy to ensure clear and properly managed working-hour arrangements.
