Tag archives: Healthcare

Prescription does not run against a mentally incapacitated claimant despite having a curator

By Deniro Pillay (ZA) and Purnel Gangiah on May 9, 2023 Posted in Healthcare

The Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed that in circumstances where a claimant is mentally incapacitated, the completion of the period of the prescription of a claim would not occur for as long as the mental health impediment exists. Placing a claimant under curatorship is in itself an impediment. It does not bring about a cessation … Continue reading

Duty to protect the public prevails over a healthcare practitioner’s need to practice

By Natasha Naidoo on February 23, 2021 Posted in General

A gynaecologist and obstetrician, appeared before the Professional Conduct Committee of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) on charges lodged against him by his patient, Mrs M. He pleaded guilty to 2 out of 7 counts of alleged unprofessional misconduct, and was found guilty only of the 2 counts which he pleaded guilty … Continue reading

HPCSA relaxes scope of practice rule, and provides more COVID-19 guidelines

By Yash Naidoo on April 19, 2020 Posted in General

On 17 April 2020, the Health Professions Council of South Africa provided its latest COVID-19 guidelines to registered practitioners. The guidelines were circulated to registered practitioners via e-mail – as at the date of publication of this article, the guidelines are yet to be published on the HPCSA’s website www.hpcsa.co.za The HPCSA acknowledges that the … Continue reading

HPCSA guidance on telemedicine during COVID-19 outbreak

By Yash Naidoo on March 26, 2020 Posted in General

On 26 March 2020 – the eve of the 21 day nationwide lockdown in South Africa – the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) issued a guidance note regarding the practice of telemedicine. The guidance note supplements and amends the HPCSA’s existing guidelines for the practice of telemedicine (booklet 10) as follows: The term … Continue reading

Council for Medical Schemes banning of low cost benefit options

By Lolo Mhaga and Michelle David on March 19, 2020 Posted in Insurance

Healthcare has found its way into everyday conversations more so than in recent years. The steadfast movement towards a National Health Insurance has inspired vigorous yet contrary emotions with each side holding their position with equal conviction. On 4 December 2019 a decision by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Medical … Continue reading