Change management in health services: the South African experience

The purpose with this article is to describe the principles of change management in health services, as experienced in South Africa to date. The driving forces are highlighted, followed by a brief explanation of the three phases in change management. The principles and process of change management, as applied to the South African health system, are described as perceived by the author. The paper was read as an invited presentation at the Commonwealth Nurses Federation's General Meeting and workshop on 13 June 1997 in Vancouver, Canada.