The latest rulings by the Health Professions Council of South Africa's misconduct inquiries include penalties for sexual harassment, shoddy post-operative treatment, and yelling at a patient.
November 2024
Ms T Dukada (PMT 0048992/231026- 004792)
Psychometrist
Complaint
Count 1
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that on or about March 2023 to April 2023, in respect of your patient, you acted in a manner not in accordance with the norms and standards of your profession in that you sexually harassed the aforementioned person.
Penalty
The respondent was found guilty as charged and sanctioned as follows: R25 000 fine, payable immediately; 24 months’ suspension from the Psychology Board (PSB) register, with immediate effect.
Dr J van der Poel (MP 0194115-230120-00204)
Medical Practitioner
Complaint
Count 1
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that on or about October 2022 to January 2023, in respect of the patient, you acted in a manner not in accordance with the norms and standards of your profession in that you: 1.1. failed to properly or professionally manage the patient post-operatively; 1.2. failed to ensure adequate emergency care of the patient while he was on leave; 1.3. failed to communicate the tariffs properly to the patient.
Penalty
The respondent was found guilty of failure to properly or professionally manage the patient post-operatively. The following sanction was imposed: caution and reprimand.
December 2024
Dr J C Bosman (MP 0278726/240203- 000464)
Medical Practitioner
Count 1
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that on or about February 2024, in respect of your patient, you acted in a manner not in accordance with the norms and standards of your profession in that your conduct was improper and disgraceful relating to communication as you failed to act professionally and you shouted at the patient and used unacceptable language.
Penalty
The respondent was found guilty as charged and the following sanction was imposed: a. R7 000 fine, payable within 30 days; b. The respondent is suspended from practice for a period of six months, wholly suspended for 12 months; on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence during the period of suspension. 3. The respondent is directed to complete a professional development course within 12 months, with MPS, which must cover the following topics: Professionalism and Ethics and Communication and Interpersonal skills. The practitioner is to send proof of completion to the pro forma complainant before the expiry of the 12-month period.
January 2025
Dr AE Burger (MP 0228761/23028024)
Medical Practitioner
Complaint
Count 1
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that during the period March 2019, in respect of your patient, you rendered insufficient care by not communicating the outcome of your diagnosis with the family of your patient.
Count 2
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that during the period March 2019, in respect of your patient, you failed to appropriately refer your patient to a specialist to manage her condition.
Count 3
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that during the period March 2019, in respect of your patient, your management of mycardial infarction was not in accordance with the norms and standards of your profession.
Count 4
That you are guilty of unprofessional conduct or conduct which, when regard is had to your profession, is unprofessional in that during the period June 2019 to August 2020, you failed and/or neglected to respond to Council correspondence and failed to attend the consultation with the Committee of Preliminary Inquiry for the Medical and Dental Professions Board.
Penalty
The Professional Conduct Committee found the Respondent guilty on Count 2 & 3 and imposed the following sentence: Caution and reprimand.