Sex orgy nurses expelled
2006-01-13 21:14
Sharika Regchand and Bheki Mbanjwa
Pietermartizburg - Five student nurses who had a sex orgy in a children's ward have been expelled from the Sakhisizwe Nursing School at the Charles Johnson Memorial Hospital in Nqutu.
The South African Nursing Council said on Friday it would conduct further investigations into the conduct of the student nurses.
Spokesperson for SANC Octavia Hlongwane said that they will ensure that appropriate actions are taken against all those responsible as well as those persons who did not take the necessary precautions to prevent the unprofessional behaviour.
Her comments came after a media report that five nurses from the school were expelled this week after being found guilty of misconduct before a disciplinary inquiry.
Nurses were 'just cuddling'
It is alleged that two female nurses and three male nurses had a group romp in a children's ward at the hospital a few days before Christmas.
A mother who was with her child witnessed the orgy and took offence.
Hlongwane said that SANC has condemned the nurses conduct.
She said that they have never had a similar incident and these incidents are rare.
She said that this behaviour of persons who are training to enter the nursing profession is considered to be highly nacceptable.
"Nursing is a noble profession and the conduct of members of the nursing profession should at all times be professional and exemplary," she said.
She said that they will not tolerate such behaviour from both members of the nursing profession or learners who are training to enter the profession.
No further action
"Students who are placed in clinical facilities are required to work under the supervision of a registered nurse. It is the responsibility of the nursing school and the hospital in which the students are placed to ensure that students working with patients are properly supervised," she said.
She added that supervisors and mentors for these students are supposed to be with the student nurses at all times not only to prevent this from happening but also to make sure that the duties given to the students are carried out effectively and efficiently.
Department of Health spokesperson Desre Hilson said that the department was aware of the incident.
"Due to the fact that the students were from a private nursing school and had only come to our hospital for their practical work, no further action would be taken because we are satisfied that the correct measures have been taken by the relevant authorities," she said.
Provisional manager for the Democratic Nursing Association Cassim Lekhoathi said that he spoke to the shop steward at the hospital who said that the students were not involved in sexual activities.
He said that the students were on night duty and were cuddling each other and switching the television on and off which angered the woman who laid the complaint.