The Limpopo Health Department has fired 21 emergency officers after finding out they were deregistered by the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for “failing to meet the required standards to remain active council members”.
The department said it regretted the decision it had to take to part ways with the 21 Emergency Medical Officers, reports The Citizen, but the decision was made after notification by the HPCSA that the employees had been deregistered
Now 46 more employees have been asked to provide proof of their registration.
The qualifications clampdown comes after results of an audit on the registration status of EMS personnel were received from HPCSA.
Affected employees had unsuccessfully challenged the HPCSA in court through their labour unions.
The Limpopo Health Department now has 1 494 Emergency Care Officers at Basic Life and Intermediate Life Support level, which will result in an impact of only 1.4%, it said.
“As part of their employment contracts, healthcare professionals are required to keep active registration statuses with their various regulatory bodies to legitimise their permission to work with patients.”
Apart from the HPCSA, these include the South African Nursing Council, the Pharmacy Council, and others.
Under the Health Professions Act, a practitioner who does not hold a current registration is not allowed to continue practicing.
The Citizen article – Limpopo Health Department fires 21 emergency workers (Open access)
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