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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111499  Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to prepare professional nurses with an interest in providing individuals and communities with health care services in an integrated manner incorporating promotive, preventive and curative health care measures with required skills and competencies. The Primary Care Nurse will work closely with communities in settings such as public and private clinics, primary health care centres, prisons, hospitals, Non-Governmental Organizations, and in private partnerships such as Pharmacy Clinics. The qualification will ensure that the registered Primary Health Care Nurse, through appropriate communication and ethical practices, is able to provide a continuum of care to individuals and communities by providing services such as advice on health promotive matters, by assisting in preventing and managing diseases, by ably taking patient histories and conducting physical assessments, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing treatment, and is able to assess the limitations of scope by referring a patient to the appropriately.


Rationale:
The historical policy within South Africa has resulted in large inequalities in the health care system, particularly with the broader rural communities. This has been exacerbated by poverty, poor living conditions and the burden of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. The transformation of health services in South Africa is guided by the White Paper on the Transformation of the Health System in South Africa (South Africa, 1997). The mission statement for the health Care approach in South Africa is "To provide leadership and guidance to the National Health System in its efforts to promote and monitor the health of all people in South Africa, and to provide caring and effective services through a primary health care approach." (White Paper - transformation of the health system 1, 1997). Primary health care is defined by the World Health Organisation (2005) as "essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford.

Primary Health Care Nursing plays a vital role in this initiative, whereby Primary Health Care Nurses will be mainly the first call of health for general community to provide services in providing promotive, preventative, curative and rehabilitative services. It is imperative that a cohort of people are trained with the skills to deal with the plethora of health care services required at the primary interface. The Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care Nursing aims to equip Professional Nurses with the knowledge, skills and competencies to advance the National Health Initiatives in primary health care, to assist with the reduction of the burden of disease, and to increase the health of all communities, leading to concomitant improvement in the socio-economic status of all South Africans. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used for access to the qualification where the applicant has been working within a Primary Health Nursing context and can clearly demonstrate that they have met the exit level outcomes of a first Bachelor of Nursing degree, wherein they may have a Diploma. This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of relevant prior learning and experience as per the University RPL policy in general, which outlines the structure and processes that must be followed to RPL an applicant when the need arises. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the requisite outcomes on a case-by-case basis, with detailed records maintained. The University has trained RPL in various disciplinary fields to facilitate this process.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules,120 Credits:
  • Health Assessment, Treatment and Care, 32 Credits.
  • Health Care Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Research Methodology,12 Credits.
  • General Disease Conditions, 32 Credits.
  • Research Project, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply primary health care and health service management principles in nursing care activities.
    2. Critically analyse patients' assessment findings and plan care based on the findings.
    3. Apply research findings to manage health care services. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Explain and discuss management policies in health services.
  • Synthesise management policies.
  • Are competent in team leadership and management during allocation in the clinical area.
  • Apply national and international standards in the prevention of communicable conditions.
  • Understand theories of health service management.
  • Integrate theories of health service management.
  • Critique theories of health service management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Construct an accurate patient history.
  • Analyse information obtained from patients during history taking.
  • Demonstrate competence in using diagnostic tools relevant at clinic level.
  • Accurately diagnose patients based on the analysis of information from patients.
  • Communicate effectively with patients both at an adult and child level.
  • Prescribe treatment relevant to the diagnosis accurately and appropriately.
  • Initiate treatment based on the latest algorithms as described in essential drug list and National protocols.
  • Refers patients to the appropriate health professional.
  • Apply national protocols in the treatment of patients.
  • Manage acute and chronic conditions at clinic level using different approaches on national and international guidelines.
  • Examine patients to evaluate the effects of treatment given.
  • Evaluate treatment prescribed during patient care.
  • Demonstrate competence in providing follow up of children and adults adolescents, geriatrics with chronic conditions at clinic level.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Discuss research methodologies used in Primary Health Care.
  • Describe and critique different research processes used.
  • Design and appraise a research proposal.
  • Design data collection instruments.
  • Use appropriate analysis methods for data collection.
  • Communicates research results clearly both in the written and oral forms.
  • Research results are discussed and appropriate recommendations are made.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment across exit level outcomes within the qualification should be integrated vertically and horizontally to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments are based on formative assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to candidates and summative assessments, which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes. Such assessments should assess the candidate's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes, either as a whole or as components of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Graduate Programme for Primary Health Care Nursing offered by the University of Sydney in Australia is similar in purpose in that it is designed for registered nurses intending to work in primary health care. The qualification equips nursing professionals with knowledge and competencies to provide care, manage and promote health at primary care interfaces with health needs of individuals, families and communities. Articulation from this programme is to a relevant Masters qualification. The units of study include: Assessment and Clinical Judgement, Chronic Illness Management, Clinical Practice and Nursing Work, Contemporary Health Leadership, Creating a Culture of Safety and Quality, Expanding Primary Health Care Practice, Interprofessional Engagement With Families, Primary Health Care, Promoting Health and Care in the Community, Research in Nursing and Health Care, Simulation-Based Learning in Health. Although there are more study options in this programme, the outcomes of both programmes lead to similar outcomes.
    The Kristianstad University in Sweden offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care Specialist Nursing to a nurse with 180 ECTS credits including an independent work on 15 ECTS credits or a Bachelor's degree in the main area of Nursing and vocational activities corresponding to one year's full-time service as a nurse. Graduates of this programme may articulate to a Master's Degree.
    The qualification aims to equip the Primary Health Care Specialist Nurse, with knowledge and understanding, proficiency and aptitude required to work as a district nurse. Outcomes include leadership skills, ethics, professionalism and empathy to assist with primary health care needs of individuals, families and communities. The courses include Health and coordination from a holistic perspective and scientific methods in Primary health care specialist nursing, Pharmacology and pathology with drug prescription for district nurses, nursing for health from a life perspective - On the job training, Independent project, and an Optional course chosen at an advanced level in accordance with an individual study plan drawn up in consultation with the teacher responsible for the course. These courses overlap with many of those in the University of Limpopo course, as do the level of learning and the outcomes.
    The University College Dublin in Ireland offers a Graduate Diploma Public Health Nursing to registered nurses interested in primary healthcare and community nursing. The qualification is focused on developing practical, usable skills in the multiple contexts of community nursing. This is a one year programme that includes courses in the following topics Research Methods Applied to Healthcare, Maternal and Infant Health (for students who are not registered midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), Public Health Nursing: A Lifespan Approach, Public Health Nursing: Principles and Theory, Public Health Nursing: Issues in Clinical Practice, Public Health Nursing: Clinical Practice, Maternal and Infant Health: Clinical Practice (for students who are not registered midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Education, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Management, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.