How Mental Health Nurses Perceive the Implementation of Batho Pele Principles in a Selected Mental Health Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Batho Pele is a South African legislative framework initiative introduced to improve the overall delivery of public services. The framework was introduced in 1997 and aimed at bringing a comprehensive transformation of the work ethics of all public servants, including health workers, at all levels of health hospitals. The study aims to investigate nurses' perceptions of implementing Batho Pele principles in selected mental health hospitals. Methods: A quantitative descriptive survey design using a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Probability-stratified random sampling was used to select the sample of 230 from the population of nurses. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyze descriptive data. Results: The study showed that lack of knowledge, communication and practical skills, and human and material resources negatively affect the effective implementation of Batho Pele principles in the care of mental health service users. Conclusions: The Batho Pele principles are insufficiently implemented in mental health hospitals due to a shortage of staff to facilitate the implementation of Batho Pele principles. The researcher recommended an in-service program to train nurses in implementing Batho Pele principles to enhance the provision of exemplary mental health services.

Keywords: Batho Pele principles; implementation; mental health hospitals; mental health nurses; service delivery; transformation.