Practitioners often enquire if they can lodge a complaint against another practitioner whom they believe is unethical or practising outside the scope of their qualifications. The Health Professions Act does make provision for practitioners to lodge complaints against other professionals.
Provision is also made for patients to lodge a complaint against a practitioner whose conduct they consider to be unethical. The mandate of the HPCSA is to protect the public and guide the professions. Therefore, both practitioners and patients need to know and understand the complaints management process of the HPCSA, which is as follows:
- Within seven (7) working days of receiving a complaint, the registrar forwards the complaint to the healthcare professional concerned and requests a written explanation from him/her;
- A letter of complaint, together with the healthcare professional’s explanation (if submitted) is referred to the Professional Board concerned, for consideration;
- Should the Board decide that there are grounds for complaint, a Professional Conduct Committee will hold a professional conduct enquiry, during which oral evidence is presented, often including independent, expert witnesses. (Note: Professional conduct enquiries are open to the public and the media, unless closed at the discretion of the chairperson);
- Should the professional conduct enquiry find the healthcare professional guilty of misconduct, the committee’s decision is final, unless either party lodges an appeal.
A healthcare professional found guilty of professional misconduct may be subject to the following penalties:
- A caution or a reprimand or both;
- A fine;
- Suspension for a specified period from practicing his/her profession;
- Removal of his/her name from the relevant register;
- A compulsory period of professional service or payment of the costs of the proceedings.
The committee deals with each complaint on its own merit. When committees decide to impose penalties, they are also guided by Gazetted Guidelines which they are bound to adhere to. A Committee of Prelim Chairs has recently been established. Chairpersons of all the four committees meet on a regular basis to ensure that there is consistency in terms of the resolutions adopted and penalties imposed.
Council is aware of the delay in the finalisation of complaints. A review is therefore being conducted on the current complaints management system. It is hoped that a complete overhaul of the system will result in an efficient system based on a quick turnaround time frame.
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
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Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
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Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.