Circular 8/2024

Employment of Nurse Practitioners who are not registered with the South African Nursing Council

 

TO:         NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                NURSING SERVICE MANAGERS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTH ESTABLISHMENTS

                NURSING AGENCIES

                ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT: EMPLOYMENT OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

  1. PURPOSE
    • The purpose of this circular is to inform the employers to refrain from employing nurse practitioners who are not registered with the SANC or whose names have been removed from the SANC Register in terms of Section 44 of the Nursing Act,2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).
  1. BACKGROUND
    • The South African Nursing Council is a statutory body that is empowered by the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) to protect the public in matters involving health services in general and nursing services in particular.
    • The Impairment Committee is established in terms of Section 15 of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) and mandated to investigate all reported cases of alleged unfitness to practice against nurses who are registered in terms of the Act. This is to ensure that nurse practitioners who provide nursing services to healthcare users are competent and fit to practise nursing with reasonable skills and safety.
    • On analysis of reported cases, the Impairment Committee noted with concern perpetual non-compliance by employers, by employing nurses without current registration with the SANC or whose names were removed from the SANC Register in terms of Section 44 of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).
  1. DIRECTIVE
    • Employers must refrain from employing nurses without current registration with the SANC or whose names were removed from the Register in terms of Section 44 of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).Verification of the nurse registration status can be done on the eRegister on SANC website, sanc.co.za.
    • Any person who contravenes the provisions above will be held personally liable in terms of Section 31(11) of the Act.
    • Employers are urged to familiarise themselves and comply with the above as well as general provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005(Act No. 33 of 2005) by visiting sanc.co.za.
  1. IMPLICATIONS

The contents of this circular must be brought to the attention of all employers in health establishments and nurse practitioners.

  1. IMPLEMENTATION

This circular shall become effective on the date of issue. Enquiries in this regard can be directed to Dr J Muswede, Senior Manager: Professional Practice at [email protected] or Tel: 012 420 1008.

Yours sincerely

________________

PROF NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

DATE: ___________________________________

 

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