Overview

As a result of the changing socio-economic environment in South Africa and its impact on the provision of health care in the country, the need arose for the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to determine what may be regarded as acceptable business practices in the healthcare sector in order to protect the public. The Business Practice Policy document is therefore an exposition of some of the areas that continually beset the health care industry and affect the professional practices of practitioners registered with Council.

For any application, submisssions and queiries email: professionalpractice@hpcsa.co.za

Overview

The Health Committee regulates/advices impaired practitioners who suffer from mental or physical condition or the abuse of or dependence on chemical substances, which affects the competence, attitude, judgment or performance of a student or a person registered in terms of the Health Professions Council Act, (Act 56 of 1974) section 51. The Health Committee is a non-punitive Committee which was established to manage the compliance of the practitioners while also protecting the public. The Committee also focuses on the refinement of the regulations and procedures affecting the day to day functions and operations of the Health Committee.

Functions

• Establish policies and procedures and to enlist cooperation and support for the prevention or alleviation of circumstances which may lead to impairment in students and practitioners.
• Establish mechanisms and procedures for the early identification of impairment in students and practitioners
• Implement procedures for handling crisis situations which may threaten patient safety and care.
• Undertake informal assessments of reports on alleged impaired students and practitioners, to make findings with regard to impairment and , if required, to impose conditions of registration or practice on such persons aimed at protection of patients and treatment of impaired persons.
• Appoint investigation committees on an Ad Hoc basis to undertake formal investigations into reports on alleged impairment in the absence of voluntary cooperation of students or practitioners, to make findings with regard to impairment and, if required, to impose conditions of registration or practice aimed at protection of patients and treatment of impaired students or practitioners
• Consider applications by students or practitioners who were found to be impaired to have their conditions of registration or practice amended or to have such conditions revoked.
• Oversee the implementation of treatment programmes of impaired students or practitioners and to review the position of each such student or practitioner at least every 3 years.