About Us - HPCSA

Overview

The HPCSA, together with the 12 Professional Boards under its ambit, is established to provide for control over the education, training and registration for practicing of health professions registered under the Health Professions Act.

In order to protect the public and guide the professions, council ensures that practitioners uphold and maintain professional and ethical standards within the health professions and ensure the investigation of complaints concerning practitioners and to ensure that disciplinary action is taken against persons who fail to act accordingly.

Regulatory Mandate

As a statutory body, the HPCSA is guided by a formal regulatory framework and this includes our founding Act, the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974.

This Act governs all our activities, clearly defines the scope of each profession which it mandates to register with HPCSA, and sets clear processes to be followed by HPCSA in achieving our statutory mandate.

Vision

Quality and Equitable Healthcare for All.

Mission

To enhance the quality of health for all by developing strategic policy frameworks for effective and efficient co-ordination and guidance of the professions through:

Setting contextually relevant healthcare training and practice standards for registered professions;
Ensuring compliance with standards;
Fostering on-going professional development and competence;
Protecting the public in matters involving the rendering of health services;
Public and stakeholder engagement; and
Upholding and maintaining ethical and professional standards within the health professions.

Values

In fulfilling its roles of regulator, guide and advocate as well as administrator, the HPCSA holds the following values central to its functioning.

Executive Management

Dr M Kwinda Acting CEO/Registrar	Ms M de Graaff Head: Finance & Supply Chain	Adv P Khumalo Head: Legal & Regulatory Affairs

David Mametja Head: Core Operations	Vacant Head: Office of the Registrar	Vacant Head: Corporate Services

Council Members

Postion	Name
President	Dr. Tebogo Kgosietsile Solomon Letlape
Vice President	Mr. Lesiba Arnold Malotana
Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy & Oral Hygeine	Dr. Tufayl Ahmed Muslim
Dietetics & Nutrition	Prof Sussana M Hanekom
Emergency Care	Mr. Lesiba Arnold Malotana Mrs. Dagmar Muhlbauer Mr. Simphiwe Sobuwa
Environmental Health Practitioners	Ms. Duduzile Julia Sebidi
Medical, Dental & Medical Science	Dr. Tebogo Kgosietsile Solomon Letlape Prof. Yusuf Ismail Osman Dr. Reno Lance Morar
Medical Technology	Mr. Molefe Aubrey William Louw
Optometry and Dispensing Opticians	Mr. Maemo Kobe
Occupational Therapy and Medical Orthotics/Prosthetics	Ms. Martha S van Niekerk
Psychology	Prof. Basil Joseph Pillay
Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics	Ms. Nokuzola Doris Dantile
Radiography and Clinical Technology	Mr. Aladdin Speelman
Speech-Language and Hearing	Dr. Sadna Balton
Community Representative not registered in Terms of Act	Ms. Xoliswa Bacela Mr. Ketso Obed Tsekeli Ms. Ruth Maphosa Gontsana Ms. Julia Mmaphuti Nare Adv. Tebogo Mafafo Prof. Nobelungu Julia Mekwa Ms. Marie Mercia Isaacs Ms. Mmanape Mothapo Dr. Anusha Lucen
Department of Education	....
Department of Health	Dr. Aquina Thulare
Person versed in Law	Mr. Sello Ramasala
Person appointed by the Universities South Africa (Higher Education South Africa )	Prof. Khaya Mfenyana Prof. Nomthandazo Gwele Prof. GJ van Zyl
South African Military Health Services	Major-General ZWS Dabula

Introduction

The HPCSA is committed to and fully endorses the principles of the Code of Corporate Governance as set out in the King IV Report on Corporate Governance.

The HPCSA will ensure that it complies with the obligations placed on the organisation in accordance with the principles set therein. The HPCSA subscribes to a governance system where ethics and integrity set the standards for compliance, constantly reviews and adapts its structures and processes to facilitate effective leadership and sustainability.

The HPCSA recognises its responsibility to conduct its affairs with prudence, transparency, accountability, fairness and in a socially responsible manner, thereby safeguarding the interests of all its stakeholders. We believe that through our endorsement of the Code of Corporate Governance and the confidence that the public and the professions have in our system of regulation, we can continue to effectively deliver on our mandate.

Audit & Risk Management

MANDATE

The Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Council is an independent committee chaired by an independent non- executive Chairman. It was established to provide additional assurance on the reliability and integrity of both financial and non-financial activities of the Council. The Council has delegated responsibility for the oversight of risk management to the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

This Committee monitors the internal controls in place, to ensure that the HPCSA’s interests and assets are protected. The committee ensures that an effective internal audit is in place and that roles and functions of external and internal audit are sufficiently clarified and coordinated to provide an objective overview of the operational effectiveness of the organisations internal controls, risk management, governance and reporting. The committee monitor the process of addressing significant matters that might impact on internal controls arising out of the internal and external audit reports.

Education Training & Quality Authority

MANDATE

The Education Training and Quality Authority (ETQA) committee is established in terms of the Health Professions Act, Act No. 56 of 1974 (Section 16 of the Act).

Functions

To facilitate/ensure liaison with key stakeholders such as the Council on Higher Education (CHE), South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), etc. with regards to the registration of qualifications and accreditation.
Responsible for provision of strategic direction with respect to Quality Assurance objectives and responsibility on behalf of the HPCSA.
Develop policies, principles, criteria and guidelines related to ETQA Activities for recommendation to Professional Boards and HPCSA Council.
Monitor all ETQA activities and make recommendations to Professional Boards and HPCSA Council.
Guide Professional Boards on accreditation of providers in the Higher Education Band, registration of assessors, certificating of learners.
Final responsibility for promotion of quality amongst providers in the Higher Education Band.
Identify issues of concern that are relating to Quality Assurance and the accreditation of providers.
Ensure that accreditation of providers of Higher Education take place effectively and efficiently.
Review the HPCSA Quality Management System as and when required

Human Rights, Ethics & Professional Practice

MANDATE

Section 10(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974) (“the Act”) empowers the Council (HPCSA) to establish such committees as it may deem necessary. Council has established the Human Rights, Ethics & Professional Practice Committee (“the Committee”).

The Human Rights, Ethics & Professional Practice Committee is constituted primarily to promote respect for human rights, ethical conduct, professional practice and respect for the rights of patients amongst health practitioners registered with Council.

Business Practice Committee

MANDATE

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 us to determine what may be regarded as undesirable business practices in the health-care sector in order to protect the public. Click here to view the policy for undesirable business practice.

Contacts
Ms Nati Hoho Tel/ Fax: 012 338 9322 E-mail: natih@hpcsa.co.za	Mr Ntsikelel Sipeka Tel/ Fax: (+27) 12 338 9304 E-mail: ntsikelelos@hpcsa.co.za

Continuing Professional Development

MANDATE

Section 10(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974) (“the Act”) empowers the Council to establish such committees as it may deem necessary. Council has established a Committee known as “the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee” (“the Committee”). The duties and responsibilities of the members of the Committee are in addition to those as members of the Council.

The Council’s Committee for Continuing Professional Development is established to amongst others, ensure a uniform system of continuing professional development and continuing assessment of all health practitioners registered with Council. Healthcare practitioners registered with the HPCSA have a responsibility to continually update their professional knowledge and skills for the end benefit of the patient and for their own personal development.

Inter Board Forum

MANDATE

Section 10(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974)(“the Act”) empowers the Council to establish such committees as it may deem necessary. In that regard the Inter Professional Boards Forum (IBF) had been reconstituted as a committee of Council, by a resolution of Council and that it would remain a platform for discussion of transversal issues relating to Professional Boards, sharing best practices to ensure efficient and effective execution of resolutions.

Information and Communication Committee

MANDATE

The ICT Steering Committee is a committee of Council primarily established to assist Council to coordinate, oversee planning, implementation and execution of the Governance of ICT through:

Provision of strategic advice to Council by ensuring that there is alignment of IT and HPCSA business strategic objectives;

Provision of input on prioritisation of IT investment initiatives to recommend to Council; and

Promotion of stakeholder engagement between IT department and all stakeholders (internal and external) of the HPCSA.

Finance and Investment Committee

MANDATE

The Finance and Investment Committee of Council will assist the Council to fulfil its corporate finance, governance, fiscal and oversight responsibilities.

Tender Committee

MANDATE

The Tender Committee of the Health Professions Council of South Africa was established on 28 October 2015 by a resolution of Council, in terms of Section 10 (1) of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974.

The Committee aims to ensure that administrators comply with the procurement modalities and processes in order to ensure that tenders and the procurement processes of Council are dealt with in a manner which is procedural.

Property Committee

MANDATE

Section 10(1) (a) of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974) (“the Act”) empowers the Council to establish such committees as it may deem necessary. Council has established a Committee known as “the Property Committee” (“the Committee”). The duties and responsibilities of the members of the Committee are in addition to those as members of the Council.

The deliberations of the Committee do not reduce the individual and collective responsibilities of Council members in regard to their fiduciary duties and responsibilities. Council members must continue to exercise due care and judgement in accordance with their statutory obligations. The Property Committee has been established to make recommendations to Council relating to acquiring, hiring, disposing, and/or development of Council’s property.

Professional Conduct Review Committee

MANDATE

The Health Professions Act 56 of 1974 (as amended) enjoins the Council to establish and enforce compliance with quality healthcare standards. In terms hereof, Section 41 of the Act confers upon the Council’s Professional Boards, powers to institute inquiries into any complaint, charge or allegation of unprofessional conduct against any person registered under the Act, and on finding such person guilty of such conduct, to impose any of the penalties prescribed in Section 42 of the Act.

The Professional Conduct Review Committee of Council is thus established primarily to review reports on professional conduct inquiries and to report thereon to the Council and Professional Boards in order to keep them informed of the process and outcomes of professional conduct inquiries, with the ultimate aim of promoting a uniform approach to procedures, findings and the identification of those professional standards which require improvement.

Human Resources and Remuneration Committee

MANDATE

Section 10(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act, 1974 (Act No. 56 of 1974) (“the Act”) empowers the Council to establish such committees as it may deem necessary. Council has established a Committee known as “the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee” (“the Committee”). The duties and responsibilities of the members of the Committee are in addition to those as members of the Council.

The deliberations of the Committee do not reduce the individual and collective responsibilities of Council members regarding their fiduciary duties and responsibilities. Council members must continue to exercise due care and judgement in accordance with their statutory obligations.

Health Committee

MANDATE

In terms of the HPCSA’s mandate to guide the professions and protect the public, the HPCSA is responsible for ensuring that healthcare practitioners are fit to practice their profession free from any physical or mental impairment.

Current

The amendment of the Health Professions Act in 2007, marked the launch of a new era in the history of medical and health regulations – stepping stones to a brighter future in health care for all.

The Heath Professions Council of South is now consist of 32 members made up as follows:

Sixteen persons, registered in terms of the Act, and designated by various professional boards of the HPCSA;
nine community representatives not registered in terms of this Act, appointed by the Minister of health;
one person versed in law, appointed by the Minister of health
one person in the employment of the Department of Health, appointed by the Minister of health;
one person in the employment of the Department of Education, appointed by the Minister of Education;
one person from the South African Military Health Service, appointed by the Minister of Defence;
three persons appointed by the South African University Vice-Chancellors’ Association; and Section 3 of the Health Professions Act was amended by the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No. 29 of 2007 by introducing functions of Council and Professional Boards in addition to the objects of Council.

Section 4 of the Health Professions Act was amended by the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No. 29 of 2007 by introducing a requirement for the exercise of the powers of Council to be in line with the National Health Policy as determined by the Minister.

20th Century

The 'Medical and Pharmacy Council of the Orange River Colony resulted from Ordinance 29 of 1904 and the Council met on 13 July, 1904 in the Council Chamber of the Railway Bureau in Bloemfontein. In terms of Ordinance 29 of 1904, the ‘Transvaal Medical Council’ was established. On 4 January, 1905 the Council had its first meeting in the House of Assembly’s Second Boardroom in Pretoria.

These Councils’ members were partly appointed by the government, while other members were elected for periods of five years. Although provision was made for an Executive Committee in the regulation of the 'Colonial Medical Council', no indication of a permanent structure can be found. This is also the case with regard to the ‘Natal Medical Council’. The 'Transvaal Medical Council' and the ‘Medical and Pharmacy Council of the Orange River Colony’ however had Executive Committees.

The HPCSA’s origins date back to 1928 when, in accordance with Act 13 of 1928, the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC) was appointed to fulfil the functions of the four former provincial councils. Act 13 of 1928 made provision for two statutory councils: the South African Medical Council (SAMC) and the South African Pharmacists' Commission (SAPC). The SAMC was also responsible for the registration of nurses until the South African Nursing Council (SANC) was established as a separate council in 1944. Likewise, the registration of dental technicians was the responsibility of the SAMC until the formation of the South African Dental Technicians' Council in 1945.

Act 56 of 1974 replaced Act 13 of 1928, in terms of which the SAMDC, now renamed the HPCSA, continues to exist as a separate legal entity. The first meeting of the Council was held on 22 October, 1928 in Pretoria and was opened by the late Dr. D F Malan, the then Minister of National Health and later the fourth Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.
Although Act 13 of 1928 made provision for the South African Medical Council and the South African Pharmacist’s Commission to exist as two statutory councils, these two Councils actually had a common Registrar for a number of years.

In 1947, the first register of medical deputies was established. Attempts aimed at making registration of these professions, later paramedical and supplementary health service professions, compulsory, has a history of its own. After a variety of draft bills and elected Committees of Parliament, Act 13 of 1928 was amended in 1971 to make provision for the establishment of professional boards registered with the Council. Professional Boards for Physiotherapy, Optometry, Medical Technology, Chiropody (Podiatry), Health Inspectors, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Radiography, Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists, Speech Therapy, Audiology, Dietetics, Oral Hygiene, Opticians and Clinical Technology were established. More professional Boards were established at a later stage while others were amended or combined as necessary.

19th Century

Regulation of the practice of medicine and allied professions in the Republic of South Africa began in the late 19th century. The Colonial Medical Council of the Cape Province was founded in terms of section 18 of the ‘Medical and Pharmacy Act’ of 1891. The first meeting of this council took place on 4 January, 1892.

In Natal, the ‘Natal Medical Council’ was established in terms of section 18 of the ‘Medical and Pharmacy Act’ of 1896 and the first meeting was held on 9 October, 1896 in Pietermaritzburg.