TWO nurses were suspended in the Free State for accepting donations meant to pay for batteries in medical equipment, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA said yesterday.

TWO nurses were suspended in the Free State for accepting donations meant to pay for batteries in medical equipment, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA said yesterday.

Denosa Free State provincial secretary Veronica Fransman-Hendricks said: "Apparently patients said they were going to donate one rand or so; it was a joint effort with nurses to buy batteries for blood pressure machines and for ear, nose, and throat lights.

"It is regrettable that the Free State department of health, when failing its core business of ensuring appropriate equipment, turns to take (the) short-cut of blaming and suspending staff when both staff and (the) community take steps in the provision of stock," Fransman-Hendricks said.

The issue came to a head when a patient balked over the donation and became verbally abusive. - Sapa