MHR Newsletter - September 2024

NEWSLETTER TOPICS

Click on the topic below to go to the applicable section:

1. MHR4me, our new self-service app, is here!
2. MHR administration team - New contact numbers
3. MHR pay office team - New contact number
4. Remunerative Work Outside the Public Service (RWOPS)
5. SARS income tax and IRP5 certificates
6. South African Nursing Council Annual Practising Certificates
7. Advisory on loan sharks
8. Policy on bribery and incentives
9. Patient safety always comes first - Exceeding hours notice
10. What does confidentiality in the unit/department mean?
11. MHR administration and payment enquiries email addresses 
    
12. Acknowledge exceptional performance
    

1. MHR4me, OUR NEW SELF-SERVICE APP, IS HERE!

MHR panel member, have you downloaded our new innovative data-free app, MHR4me? MHR4me is designed to empower you in your MHR work journey. It offers cutting-edge features such as real-time shift opportunities, allowing you to secure preferred shifts, update availability, upload required documents, and manage your profile on the go.

Click mhr4me-download to download MHR4me now and enjoy the benefits of a digital engagement experience!

Here are the next steps after downloading MHR4me:

• Click 'Forgot my Password' on the app to set up a new password using the email address that MHR has on record for you. If you have trouble logging in, please contact your local MHR office.
• Once logged in, set up the following and click on the links to our help guides if you need support:
• Set up your Communication Preferences (click here for the help guide)
• Set your Availability for Shifts (click here for the help guide)

_{2. MHR ADMINISTRATION TEAM – NEW CONTACT NUMBERS}

We want to remind panel members to use the new contact number, 0860 647 647, when contacting our regional admin teams. When dialling this number, press 2 and then the relevant region’s option:

• Press 1 for MHR Central (Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape)
• Press 2 for MHR Northern/Tshwane (Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West)
• Press 3 for MHR Western Cape (Southern and Western Cape locations)  

_{3. MHR PAY OFFICE TEAM – NEW CONTACT NUMBER}

The new contact number for our pay office is 0860 647 647. When dialling this number, follow the prompts and press 3 to be transferred to the MHR pay office.

_{4. REMUNERATIVE WORK OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SERVICE (RWOPS)}

By law, all public service employees are required to apply for RWOPS if they work outside their public service role. Therefore, we encourage all public service panel members to ensure that they comply, apply for RWOPS and send a copy of their RWOPS to MHR.

MHR will not be held liable if a public service panel member fails to apply for RWOPS. Note that, upon request, MHR is obligated to provide a panel member’s work history to public service employers.

5. SARS INCOME TAX AND IRP5 CERTIFICATES

Panel members' IRP5 certificates are available on SARS eFiling. If you require a hard copy, please email irp5.request@mhr.co.za or contact your local MHR Office for a copy. Did you know you can download the SARS MobiApp on your cell phone to complete and submit your Income Tax Return (ITR12)? Click here for more information about this app.

_{6. SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL ANNUAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATE}

MHR nurses, note that you can now renew your 2025 annual practising certificate before the upcoming due date of Tuesday, 31 December 2024. For more information on the annual fees and renewal process, click SANC APC.

_{7. ADVISORY ON LOAN SHARKS}

We have encountered several concerning incidents involving MHR panel members and predatory lending practices. This serves as a general reminder for all panel members to exercise caution and avoid any engagement with loan sharks.

_{8. POLICY ON BRIBERY AND INCENTIVES}

It is essential to note that accepting bribes or rewards in exchange for services is strictly prohibited. We urge all members to be vigilant of any offers of incentives, such as meal vouchers or additional shifts. If you witness any activities related to bribery or the acceptance of service incentives, please report them to our ethics line at 0800 005 316 or reach out to your regional MHR office to discuss the matter with a senior representative.

_{9. PATIENT SAFETY ALWAYS COME FIRST – EXCEEDING HOURS NOTICE}

Patient safety always comes first. Fatigue can cause incidents that could harm patients. Therefore, MHR urges you not to work double shifts or exceed the hours below as specified in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (Act no. 75 of 1997):

• MHR Employees: 230 hours/month
• Moonlighters: 48 hours/month

Remember to notify MHR if you are no longer a Moonlighter (Permanently employed elsewhere) OR have become a Permanent Employee.

Thank you for your commitment to patient safety and ensuring you do not exceed the specified hours.

_{10. WHAT DOES CONFIDENTIALITY IN THE UNIT/DEPARTMENT MEAN?} 

The confidentiality of our patients and clients is crucial to us. Please review the following information to ensure compliance with patient confidentiality.

Understanding patient privacy

• As per the National Patients' Rights Charter, every patient has the right to confidentiality and privacy. Patient privacy pertains to the patient's right to decide when, how and to what extent their health information is disclosed to others.
• Key points to note: It involves ensuring confidentiality and sharing protected patient information only with healthcare providers and related professionals who require it to provide care to the patient. Patients have the right to control the sharing of their health information.

What does MHR classify as patient information?

• Clinical information or medical history.
• Personal information and contact details.
• Medication information and any medical results, such as laboratory and radiology reports.
• Images of a patient in the hospital (Written confirmation must be obtained if a patient is photographed or filmed).

What does this mean in the work environment?

• Discussions with patients should be kept private or at a lower volume in shared rooms.
• Clinical records must be stored securely to prevent them from being seen by anyone passing by, in accordance with the client's policy.
• All documents containing patient information are the client's property and must not leave the client's premises without the authorisation of a Senior Manager.
• Clinical discussions about patients should not take place in public areas.
• Patient information should not be disclosed to anyone who is not a close family member of the patient. Information can only be shared with the patient's consent.
• Photos of any patient should not be taken without the patient's signed consent.

11. EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENT-RELATED ENQUIRIES

You are welcome to use the email addresses below for administration and payment-related enquiries:

• MHR Central Region (Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape): admin.central@mhr.co.za   |  pay.central@mhr.co.za

• MHR Northern Region (Johannesburg, Vaal Triangle and Mpumalanga): admin.north@mhr.co.za  |  pay.north@mhr.co.za

• MHR Tshwane Region (Pretoria, Brits and Limpopo): admin.north@mhr.co.za  |  pay.tshwane@mhr.co.za

• MHR Western Cape Region (Southern and Western Cape locations): admin.wc@mhr.co.za  |  pay.wc@mhr.co.za

Please ensure that you use the ‘pay’ email addresses for payment-related enquiries and the ‘admin’ email addresses for administration-related questions to ensure your email is received by the correct MHR representative.

12. ACKNOWLEDGE EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

It is always a pleasure to recognise the hard work and accomplishments of our personnel (panel members) and teams within our organisation. Click below to view the acknowledgements on our 'Bravo for Brilliance' web page.

How do I recognise an MHR panel member for exceptional performance? Click here to visit our ‘Feedback’ page and enter the panel member’s information along with the compliment you would like to share.