Department of Health forensic chemistry laboratory services now form part of broader national health laboratory services governed in terms of the 2000 National Health Laboratory Service Act, which was fully operationalised in 2001, says a Legalbrief Policy Watch report.
The Government Gazette notice announcing this does not explain why the move took so long. This is nevertheless noting that the Act does not apply to South African Police Service forensic science laboratories or to those at Pretoria and Cape Town military hospitals run by the South African Military Health Service.
In addition, research laboratories belonging to university health science faculties are excluded “but may be incorporated by agreement”.
[link url="https://legalbrief.co.za/login/?next=/diary/legalbrief-today/policy-watch/legislation-health-laboratory-services-extend-reach/"]Full Legalbrief Policy Watch report[/link]