HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, ARE YOU CPD COMPLIANT?

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has embarked on a campaign to inform all health practitioners registered in terms of Health Professions Act No. 56 of 1974 (The Act) on matters relating to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

CPD is the responsibility of every registered health practitioner. It is aimed at ensuring that the necessary skills and competency of practitioners constantly improve in the quest to ensure that the public is protected. There are benefits to health practitioners complying with CPD requirements, such as:

• Maintenance and enhancement of required professional skills and knowledge to ensure that practitioners continue to practice competently;

• Gaining insights into new approaches to practice;

• Improvement of health outcomes for patients and the general public.

Failure to comply with CPD requirements is a violation of the Act and may lead to penalties, such as suspension from practicing, being compelled to write a board examination, or other sanctions deemed suitable by the relevant professional boards.

Practitioners are advised to ensure that they are fully CPD-compliant as soon as possible. In terms of Section 18(3) of the Act, every registered practitioner who changes their contact details shall, in writing, notify the Registrar of the HPCSA within 30 days of such changes. This will assist the HPCSA in ensuring that communication from Council reaches the health practitioners.

To view your CPD status, update your contact details or perform any other self-service function, access the online services on the HPCSA website at www.hpcsa.co.za.