HPCSA news: Failure to inform HPCSA of address changes could mean erasure from the register!

Healthcare practitioners in turn are legally obliged to inform the HPCSA in writing of their change of address within 30 days of the change. This is in accordance with Section 18 (3) of the Health Professions Act, Act No. 56 of 1974.

Failure by practitioners to notify Council of their change of address constitutes an offence. In terms of Section 19 (1)(b) of the Act, Council may erase such practitioners from the register for failing to inform Council within three months of the Registrar sending a certified letter of enquiry to the practitioner.

“Following our recent annual fee reminders sent to practitioners, many of the letters were returned to us unopened. We then sent registered letters to request written confirmation of the change of address details, but have had few responses. In these cases, we may – as we are entitled to by the Act – strike a practitioner's name from the register for frustrating our efforts to uphold the law,” said Adv. Boyce Mkhize, HPCSA Registrar.

The address details need to be changed in writing and can be sent through to fax (012) 338-9312, by e-mail to marthinav@hpcsa.co.za, or by post to P O Box 205, Pretoria, 0001 for attention: Records Department.

Further enquiries: Greer van Zyl, Public Relations Manager
(012) 338-9481