Temerloh MP Salamiah Nor was commenting on health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad saying yesterday that he would review the findings of a proposed survey by five nursing associations on the extended working hours for nurses.

“What’s puzzling is that we only see the ministry looking into nurses’ feedback and reconsidering (the matter) after the directive has been issued.

“Ideally, this matter should have been thoroughly reviewed and considered before the directive was issued,” she told a press conference at the Parliament building today.

The new directive, under the civil service remuneration system, mandates ward nurses to work 45 hours a week effective Dec 1 compared with the current 42 hours.

On Monday, the nursing associations requested that the directive be postponed due to a shortage of manpower and increased risks of work-related stress, fatigue and burnout.

The groups said they had launched a survey to gather opinions from nurses about the matter, with the results to be compiled into a memorandum for submission to the authorities along with plans for a meeting with the ministry’s top leadership.

According to Berita Harian, the minister is expected to meet the groups tomorrow to discuss the matter.

Last week, Dzulkefly gave an assurance that the welfare of those required to put in the additional hours would be better taken care of as they would be given more flexible shifts.

He also said nurses generally worked four to six days a week and for not more than 12 hours a shift. They were also given a one-hour break and a day to three days’ rest a week.

Salamiah also backed the groups call for the implementation of the new directive to be put on hold.

“With Dec 1 just a few days away, it’s clear from the appeals and feedback from the nursing groups that they strongly oppose this directive,” she added.