Dzulkefly to consider nurses’ recommendations on new working hours

PETALING JAYA: Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad today said that he would review the findings of a survey by five nursing associations on the extended working hours for nurses.

This followed opposition to a new directive under the civil service remuneration system (SSPA), mandating ward nurses to work 45 hours a week effective Dec 1 compared to the current 42 hours.

In a statement yesterday, 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.

In a post on X, Dzulkefly said he welcomed the views of the associations and their call to engage with health ministry officials.

“I am closely following and am fully aware of all the input provided by various parties regarding the working hours of nurses under the new SSPA system,” he said.

“Rest assured, I will review and consider their recommendations.

“I kindly ask for patience from the health ministry staff who will be affected by these changes while we refine this (policy) as quickly as possible.”

Last Thursday, Dzulkefly described the additional three hours as reasonable and said that the welfare of those affected by the increase would be better taken care of as they would be given more flexible shifts.

However, in their statement yesterday, the associations said that increasing nurses’ weekly working hours could undermine the effectiveness of healthcare service delivery and affect the quality of patient care.

Under the new directive, hospitals may revise shift hours to 7am–3pm, 3pm–10pm, and 10pm–7am the next day. Currently, shifts run from 7am–2pm, 2pm–9pm, and 9pm–7am the following day.

The nurses said the “imbalance” in workload distribution through the proposed shift system had been viewed by some as lacking in proper planning.

“Before implementing (the directive), it is crucial to ensure that hospitals and healthcare facilities have adequate human resources planning, including the recruitment of additional nurses or adjustments to work schedules,” they said.

“We appreciate the government’s efforts to improve work-life balance for nurses. However, we believe that postponing the (policy) is necessary to allow sufficient time for further studies, meticulous planning, and comprehensive support measures.”

The statement was issued by the Malaysian Nurses Association, Malaysian Mental Health Nurses Association, Islamic Nurses Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Male Nurses Society, and Delegation of Nurses.