The Office of Health Standards Compliance has gazetted a code of conduct for the inspectors of public and private health care facilities falling within the ambit of the 2013 National Health Amendment Act – which formally established the office nearly six years ago. According to the new code, among other things inspectors are required to ‘restore’ the credibility of South Africa’s health care services by protecting the interests of those using them, as well as their health and safety, notes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch.
Other principles underpinning the code include striving for “effectiveness in achieving health system change and social impact”; promoting “excellence, innovation and efficiency in healthcare operations”; demonstrating “fairness and (a) commitment to intellectual honesty”; achieving ‘the highest standards of ethical behaviour, teamwork and collaboration’; and promoting “professionalism, ethics, compassion, diversity, and social responsibility through exemplary personal conduct and skilfulness”. Every inspector should also “commit to ensuring that she or he has a sound understanding of all relevant laws, regulations, norms, … standards and policies”.
[link url="https://legalbrief.co.za/diary/legalbrief-today/policy-watch/legislation-healthcare-facility-inspectors-get-code-of-conduct/"]Legalbrief Policy Watch report[/link]
[link url="https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201905/42496gov818.pdf"]Code of Conduct[/link]