10 November 2017

TO:	All SANC Clients
FROM:	Ms SA Mchunu Acting Registrar and CEO

South African Nursing Council Examination Schedule – 2018

Attached is the Examination Schedule for 2018.

Kindly take note of the following requirements applicable to the Council examinations:

1. The closing date for the examinations should be strictly adhered to and no exceptions or allowances will be made to extend these dates.
2. Only registered learners will be eligible for an examination: The Head of the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) must ensure that all learners are registered with the Council within the prescribed period. Foreign applicants apply as individuals though will have to adhere to the prescribed period.
3. Candidates will not be registered for an examination with only an identity number. Council reference numbers are needed in all cases. Please follow up with the Council Registration department first, if learners are not registered for the course before registering candidates for an examination.
4. The Council will only process applications for entry into a Council examination that meet the following requirements:
   
   a) The Examination Application Form is completed in full, accurately and signed by the relevant person/s. The surname and given names must be those appearing in the identity document.
   
   b) All the required documentation to be included.
   
   c) There is proof of payment of prescribed examination fee into the Council’s bank account; such payment must be done by the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) (group payment) and not by learners.
   

   Banking details are as follows:
   
   Name of Bank: First National Bank
   Account number: 51425166282 (Current Account)
   Branch: Corporate Core Banking – Pretoria
   Branch code: 253 – 145
   Reference: NEI S-number followed by the type of fee code ‘EXAMFEE’
   
   The correct reference must appear on all deposits to expedite the processing of your payment. The code ‘EXAMFEE’ must only be used for payment in respect of examination fee. This code must not be used for any other types of payment. Here is an example of what a correct reference will look like for an NEI with S-number S12345:
   
   S12345EXAMFEE
   
   NB: The Head of the NEI must ensure that payment of fees by their Provincial Department or Head Office is made separately for each NEI and for each specific examination.
   Provincial bulk payments without specifications create administrative challenges and cause a delay in processing of the applications.

5. Only those candidates that have been issued an examination timetable/number will be eligible to write a Council examination.
6. All practical MARK SHEETS must be submitted to the Council by Registered mail/courier by the end of the month in which the examination is written. If the PRACTICAL MARK SHEETS in SANC format are not submitted on time, the examination results will be published without the practical marks, hence qualification certificate will not be issued to the affected candidates.
7. The Council requests Invigilators not to enclose the practical mark sheet or any other documents with the Examination package.
8. The Council reserves the right to cancel an examination reflected on the schedule if there are insufficient candidates for such an examination.
9. The Council request the NEI’s to inform all their candidates of the outcome of the examination results once published. No examination results will be given out telephonically by the Council. However, candidates will receive results via text messages (SMS).

NB: Examination fees are non-refundable in accordance with Government Notice No. R.170 of  8 March 2013.

 

7 November 2017

 

TO:	All SANC Clients

 

Possible disruption of services at the SANC offices on 8 November 2017

 

Please note that although the SANC offices will be open, a possible disruption of services at its office may be experienced due to the national taxi strike and subsequent march to the Union Buildings on Wednesday 8 November. Clients and visitors are advised to assess the situation and put safety first.

Your co-operation is highly appreciated and any inconvenience is regretted.

 

Yours sincerely

(Signed)

Ms S Mchunu
Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

 

31 October 2017 TO: Nursing Employers FROM: Ms SA Mchunu Registrar and CEO Annual Practicing Certificates for 2018 1. Payment Period The South African Nursing Council (SANC) would like to remind all employers of nurses and midwives, both public and private sector, about the 2018 Annual Practicing Certificates’ (APCs) payment period which commenced on 1 July 2017 and ends on 31 December 2017.  The SANC would like to request employers to encourage nurse practitioners to pay for their APCs by no later than 31 December 2017 so as to avoid them having their names removed from the SANC register and having to pay a restoration fee.   2. Payment methods 2.1 New on-line payment method The SANC is in the process of introducing an electronic payment method that will enable nurse practitioners to make APC payments via the SANC website by using smart phones, personal computers or internet café facilities. The SANC is in consultation with First National Bank (FNB) regarding this system and as soon as this method has been tested the SANC will communicate the information to all relevant stakeholders. 2.2 Current payment system Nurse practitioners can, in the interim, continue making direct deposits at any First National bank. It is important that the individual practitioner’s SANC Reference Number and Payment Code “ANLFEES” are provided when doing a direct deposit at FNB. Failure to provide the correct information will result in the SANC not being able to allocate the money to the correct account and thus the SANC will not be able to issue the required APC.   3. E-Register The SANC would like to remind employers about the importance of utilising the E-register feature on the SANC website. The data published on this register suffices as a proof of registration for nurse practitioners and can be used by employers to verify the registration status of all nurse practitioners in their employment. The integrity of the database ensures that it is not necessary for employers to be presented with a physical APC certificate. The eRegister data base can be accessed by clicking here.    4. 2018 fee structure The annual fees for 2018 for the different categories of practitioners are:  Category Annual Fee Registered Nurses and Midwives R630.00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives R380.00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries R270.00   The SANC also offers reduced fees as follows: Category Annual Fee Registered Nurses and Midwives R310.00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives R190.00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries R130.00 Persons who are over 60 and 64 years of age on 1 January 2018 receive a 25% and 50% reduction respectively.    Your assistance in this matter is appreciated. If you have any questions regarding the APC payment or eRegister please contact Mr P Modiselle, Manager: Revenue Services at 012 426-9557 or pmodiselle@sanc.co.za    Kind regards _________________ (Signed) Ms SA Mchunu Registrar and CEO South African Nursing Council

13 October 2017

TO:	Director: Nursing Services, Department of Health – Western Cape
	Nursing Education Institutions

 

Sale of Distinguishing Devices

 

This circular serves to advise nursing practitioners who are attending the SANC Western Cape Outreach event from 16 – 20 October that, due to manufacturing problems experienced by the supplier, the selling of shoulder badges will not be possible at this event. All other distinguishing devices will be available.

As part of our continued commitment to service, the South African Nursing Council will however be taking orders for the shoulder badges at the outreach and these devices will then be delivered to the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health offices in due course. Affected nurse practitioners will be informed once these devices are available.

We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the inconvenience.

 

(Signed)

Ms S Mchunu
Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

 

29 September 2017

TO:	National Department of Health
	Provincial Department of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions
	All Stakeholders

 

Appointment: Registrar and CEO of the South African Nursing Council

 

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Sizo Mchunu as the Registrar and CEO of the South African Nursing Council, by the Honorable Minister of Health Dr A. Motsoaledi MP, in terms of Section 18(1) and (3) of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) with effect from 01 October 2017. 

Ms Mchunu brings a wealth of knowledge accumulated and demonstrated through her 37 years in the professional nursing. She has worked as a clinical nurse and lectured at both undergraduate and post-basic levels at a College of Nursing as well as a University for a combined period of 18 years.

She has also gained vast knowledge and experience in the regulatory environment, and has been responsible for senior and strategic leadership at the SANC as Deputy Registrar as well as being appointed and seconded as an Acting Registrar in 2009 and 2016 respectively. 

Prior to this appointment, Ms Mchunu was appointed as Director Nursing Practice and later Nursing Education within the Office of the Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at the National Department of Health. 

A seasoned educator, Ms Mchunu has extensive knowledge of the Higher Education landscape. She has served, upon appointment by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, as a member of the Interim and later substantive Council of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. 

The South African Nursing Council welcomes Ms Mchunu and wishes her every success as together it strives to achieve the level of service to the public as envisaged in the Nursing Act, 2005.

 

(Signed)

Prof BR Bhengu
Chairperson

 

26 September 2017

TO:	All SANC Clients
FROM:	Ms SA Mchunu Acting Registrar and CEO

 

SANC OFFICES CLOSED ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2017

Please note that the Council offices will be closed for business on Wednesday, 27 September 2017 because of the likelihood of disruption of services due to the COSATU National mass strike action.

The Council offices will re-open for business at 08:00 on Thursday, 28 September 2017.

Your cooperation is highly appreciated and any inconvenience is regretted.

Yours sincerely

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

TO: All Stakeholders FROM: Ms SA Mchunu Acting Registrar and CEO ISSUING OF 2018 ANNUAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is pleased to inform all nurse practitioners that technical challenges which affected the issuing of 2018 Annual Practicing Certificates (APCs) have now been resolved.  Nurse practitioners can pay at FNB or SANC premises. SANC is in the process of posting the APCs for those who paid through the bank.  The banking details are as follows:  NAME OF BANK : FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUSINESS TRADING NAME : SA NURSING COUNCIL ACCOUNT NUMBER : 514 211 86 193 BRANCH CODE : 253145 REFERENCE : SANC REFERENCE NUMBER FOLLOWED BY ANLFEES SANC apologises for the inconvenience caused and wishes to thank all for the patience.

2017 TO: All Stakeholders FROM: Ms SA Mchunu Acting Registrar and CEO   DELAY IN ISSUING OF 2018 ANNUAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES   Please note that South African Nursing Council (SANC) is experiencing technical challenges which led to the delay in issuing of 2018 Annual Practicing Certificates (APCs). SANC is aware of the implications of the said delay on nurse practitioners, hence this matter is receiving utmost intervention. It is anticipated that the challenge will be resolved within reasonable time. Nurse practitioners are advised to pay at FNB for now and APCs will be posted at a later stage. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

FOR ATTENTION:	News Editors
SUBJECT:	Court rules in favour of the Nursing Council on DENOSA’s application re the Examinations
DATE:	3 July 2017

In a landmark decision for the South African Nursing Council (SANC), Judge J Fabricius made a ruling on Friday 30 June 2017 in agreement with Circular 2 of 2017, issued by the SANC that the May 2017 examinations are nullified and new examination papers are set. New dates would remain as 19 and 21 July 2017, in line with his earlier ruling in a case between Hospersa and the SANC on 26 June 2017, which the SANC won. 

Moving the dates to July provides the students with more time to prepare for the examinations, which the SANC fully supports. It is in the interest of the public at large to ensure that the training institutions produce qualified nurses who passed the examinations on their own strength, and will therefore have the necessary knowledge to serve the public of South Africa.

The nullification was on the basis of evidence that there was indeed a security breach with examinations for the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to registration as a general nurse/ psychiatric nurse: Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 (as amended).

DENOSA and other parties brought an urgent application that this Circular should be declared unlawful and therefore set aside. The application was dismissed with cost. As the Judge aptly put it: “if dishonesty becomes a norm the whole fabric of society will tear apart, and the rule of law will only remain a dream”.

Says Ms Sizo Mchunu, Acting Registrar of the SANC: “We are very appreciative and in full support of Honourable Fabricius’ ruling. We are dismayed about the leaking of the examination papers, especially in the light of the extra steps we have taken to ensure confidentiality. One can only wonder about the agenda of the people who leak the examination papers, as compromising the integrity of an examination and writing it on the basis of having had the paper beforehand, does not test the candidate’s capabilities to become a competent nurse practitioner, but exposes the country’s citizens to unsafe care. 

We empathize with the students who are not involved in receiving leaked papers, as they are the ones who are adversely affected by this. We are shocked that persons who aspire to be Registered Nurses and certain high level constituencies are pro-examination fraud, resisting the SANC‘s efforts to mitigate this corrupt act and are encouraging Learner Nurses that it is acceptable to pass unjustly. By implication, the public’s health and safety will be jeopardized as a result.”

The Nursing Act requires proper qualifications and competency to practice nursing, in the interests of the public. Judge Fabricius took into account both the fact that the dishonesty was widespread, and the SANC’s statutory obligations to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

“We sit with a shortage of Professional Nurses in the country, and actions like this completely undermine all efforts by the SANC, the Department of Health and all concerned citizens to deliver qualified practitioners in the best interest of the public.
It needs to be understood that the SANC will not compromise its commitment to set and uphold standards of nursing practice in this country,” says Ms Mchunu. 

The investigation into the leak continues. 

 

ENDS

 

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Ms S Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

 

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri van Eeden
Senior Manager: Marketing and Communications
South African Nursing Council 
E-mail : avaneeden@sanc.co.za
Website: www.sanc.co.za 
Tel : 012 426-9542

 

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email: avaneeden@sanc.co.za 

 

 

30 June 2017 TO: National Department of Health   Provincial Department of Health   Nursing Education Institutions   All Stakeholders   Annual Fees for 2018   This circular serves as affirmation of the South African Nursing Council’s fees and fines as stipulated on the government gazette published on 23 June 2017.   1. ANNUAL FEES FOR 2018 1.1  Normal Annual Fees The annual fees for the calendar year 2018 for the different categories of practitioners are given in the following table.  Category Annual Fee for 2018 Registered Nurses and Midwives R630.00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives R380.00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries R270.00   1.2 Reductions in Annual Fees for Age 60 and Over The Council has resolved to introduce reduced fees for nurses 60 years of age and over as per the table below: 1.2.1 Age 60 to 64 Years on 1 January 2018 (25% reduction)  Category Annual Fee for 2018 Registered Nurses and Midwives R470.00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives R290.00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries R190.00 1.2.2 Over 64 years of Age on 1 January 2018 (50% reduction)  Category Annual Fee for 2018 Registered Nurses and Midwives R310.00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives R190.00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries R130.00 NB: To qualify for the discount amounts, a practitioner may be required to submit a certified copy of his / her identity document in order to confirm his / her age. Notes:  The annual fees for 2018 must be received by SANC on or before 31 December 2017. The amounts in the tables above all include 14% VAT.   2. RESTORATION FEES FOR 2018 The restoration fees for the different categories applicable from 1 January 2018 are shown in the following table.  Category Normal Restoration Fee Reduced Restoration Fee Registered Nurses and Midwives R1880.00 R130,00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives R1160.00 R130,00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries R790.00 R130,00 Note:  The reduced restoration fee will only apply if your name was removed from the register at your own request – this must be confirmed with the Council before paying the reduced amount.   3. CLOSING DATE FOR PAYMENT OF ANNUAL FEES Please note that for the calendar year 2018, the closing date for the payment of Annual Fees is 31 December 2017. You are therefore urged to pay as soon as possible in order to avoid the last minute rush.    4. OTHER FEES Please note that other fees will be applicable with effect from 1 January 2018.   (Signed)   Ms L Matras Chief Financial Officer For Acting Registrar and CEO South African Nursing Council