Health Professions Council of South Africa
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a statutory regulator of healthcare professions in South Africa.[1] The council promotes healthcare, determines standards of education and training, and sets and maintains standards of ethical professional practice for professions incorporated by the Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974.
 | |
| Abbreviation | HPCSA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1974 |
| Type | Statutory regulator |
| Purpose | Protecting the public and guiding professions |
| Headquarters | Pretoria, South Africa |
Region | South Africa |
| Website | www |
History
The Health Professions Council of South Africa was established in 1974 under the Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974.[2] Regulation of medicine and allied professions in South Africa began in the 19th century, with the establishment of the Colonial Medical Council in the Cape Province in 1891. The Natal Medical Council was then established in 1896, followed by the Medical and Pharmacy Council of the Orange River Colony in 1904 and the Transvaal Medical Council in 1905.[2]
Following the formation of the Union of South Africa, the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC) was formed in accordance with Act 13 of 1928 to fulfil the functions of the former provincial councils.[2] Act 56 of 1974 replaced Act 13 of 1928, and the HPCSA as it exists currently was formed. The SAMDC continues as a separate legal entity.
Professions regulated by the HPCSA
The HPCSA regulates 12 categories of healthcare professionals. They are:
| Category | Protected Titles | Number of Registrants[3] |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assisting, Dental Therapy & Oral Hygiene | Oral Hygienist | 9 454 |
| Dietetics and Nutrition | Dietitian
Student Dietitian Supplementary Dietitian Student nutritionist Supplementary Nutritionist |
5 542 |
| Emergency Care | Basic Ambulance Assistant
Ambulance Emergency Assistant Operational Emergency Care Orderly Emergency Care Assistant Emergency Care Technician Emergency Care Practitioner |
67 800 |
| Environmental Health | Environmental Health Practitioner
Student Environmental Health Practitioner Environmental Health Assistant |
5 903 |
| Medical and Dental (and medical science) | Medical Practitioner
Clinical Associate Anesthetist's Assistant Health Assistant Medical Biological Scientist Biomedical Engineer (register closed for new registrations) Clinical Biochemist (register closed for new registrations) |
76 445 |
| Medical Technology | Medical Laboratory Scientist
Intern Medical Laboratory Scientist Student Medical Laboratory Scientist Intern Medical Technologist Student Medical Technologist Student Medical Technician Supplementary Medical Technician Laboratory Assistant Student Laboratory Assistant Supplementary Laboratory Assistant |
20 536 |
| Occupational Therapy, Medical Orthotics, Prosthetics & Arts Therapy | Occupational Therapist
Supplementary Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapy Technician Occupational Therapy Assistant Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics Supplementary Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics Orthopaedic Footwear Technician Orthopaedic Technical Assistant Assistant Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics & Leatherworks Arts Therapist: Drama, Music, Art & Movement |
9 324 |
| Optometry & Dispensing Opticians | Dispensing Optician
Student Dispensing Optician Supplementary Optical Dispenser Student Supplementary Optical Dispenser Supplementary Optometrist Student Optometrist |
5 331 |
| Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics | Physiotherapist
Student Physiotherapist Physiotherapy Technician Physiotherapy Assistants Student Physiotherapy Assistant Remedial Gymnasts Supplementary Biokineticist Supplementary Podiatrist Supplementary Physiotherapist Masseur Biokineticist Biokineticist Intern Student Biokineticist Student Podiatrist |
14 753 |
| Psychology | Psychologist
Intern Psychologist Student Psychologist Registered Counsellor Psychometrist Student Psychometrist Psychotechnician Student Registered Counsellor |
19 391 |
| Radiography & Clinical Technology | Student Radiographer
Supplementary Diagnostic Radiographer Clinical Technologist Encephalographic Technician |
12 893 |
| Speech Language and Hearing Professions | Speech Therapist
Speech Therapist & Audiologist Hearing Aid Acoustician Audiometrician Supplementary Audiologist Supplementary Hearing Aid Acoustician Supplementary Speech Therapy and Audiology Speech Hearing and Correctionist Community Speech and Hearing Worker Speech Therapy Assistant Speech and Hearing Assistant |
5 281 |
All of these professions have at least one professional title that is protected by law, including those shown above. Anyone using these titles must be registered with the HPCSA. It is a criminal offence for someone to claim that they are registered with the HPCSA when they are not or to use a protected title that they are not entitled to use.
References
- "Overview - HPCSA". www.hpcsa.co.za. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
- "History - HPCSA". www.hpcsa.co.za. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
- "Statistics - HPCSA". www.hpcsa.co.za. Retrieved 2019-03-12.