Delay in publication of medical, dental tariff guidelines

"The delay in the publication was due to consideration of the reaction of the practitioners on the Tariff Guidelines, accusations of the HPCSA determining the Tariff Guidelines without regard to the input of the practitioner organisations affected, the institution of legal action against HPCSA by affected practitioner organisations should the Guideline Tariffs be publicised in the Government Gazette, and the risk of destabilising health care delivery in the country," said Professor Mokgokong.

The halting of the process of publication of the Tariff Guidelines in the Government Gazette will ensure the matter of the Tariff Guidelines is placed on the agenda of the HPCSA Council meeting, which will be held on 3 September 2012 and allow the HPCSA Tariff Committee to make a full presentation of the matter to the Council, explained Prof Mokgokong "This delay will allow the South African Medial Association (SAMA) and South African Dental Association (SADA) and South African Private Practitioner's Forum (SAPPF) representatives to put their views directly to the Council and provide the Council with the opportunity to adjudicate on the matter and to craft the way forward."