NURSING SERVICES

The department is being headed by an acting Assistant Director who is currently being assisted by 7 other Chief Nursing Officers as Nursing� Co-ordinators are charged with the tasks of overseeing together with the ward Managers the total patient care. The Ward managers ensure the patient welfare in liaison with other services and the clinical department of the hospital.

The department is a single largest department has over 377 nurses, 14 health assistants, and 167 hospital attendants. The department has 25 units; 17 in-patient and 8 out-patient including the theatres and other special diagnostic and treatment units. The average daily bed occupancy of 270 in-patients was sustained during the period under review.

The Department provides both basic and specialised nursing care to the patients on 24hrs basis through the shift and or call.

Functions
The department is charged with the following functions.
- Select and maintain a qualified, credentialed and competent nursing staff.
- Communicate criteria for standards of nursing practice and patient care health teaching, so that these standards are consistent with the vision statement and philosophy of nursing.
- Maintain a program of continuous performance improvement.
- Promote policies approved by the Hospital Management that impact the Nursing Department
- Conduct clinical studies and promote nursing research to enhance patient care.
- Participate in committees and make recommendations for changes in practice or care and follow through where appropriate with changes.
- Present budgetary recommendations to the budget and finance committees of the hospital.
- Participate in special Programs planned by the Hospital management.
- Assume responsibility and accountability for nursing care provided to patients.
- Provide regular clinical and administrative reports on patients care and activities.