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Fraud Zone
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2010-08-19 09:33
City Press
Loyiso Sidimba
Errant medical practitioners will now face heftier penalties following Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's publication of regulations on fines to be imposed by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA).
The regulations were gazetted last week by Motsoaledi and are effective immediately.
According to the regulations, fraudsters will pay a maximum of up to R70 000, the same amount for those guilty of negligence.
The HPCSA has come under fire for its lenient sentences.
Between January and June, 42 enquiries have been concluded but only Tshwane psychologist Emile Wilmans was suspended from practice in March.
Wilmans, found guilty of having a year-long sexual relationship with a client, was stopped from practising for 18 months, of which nine were suspended for five years.
The new regulations also put the fine for "engaging in an unacceptable relationship" between R20 000 and R50 000.
Incompetent health professionals face fines of between R10?000 and R50?000.
If a patient is overcharged, a minimum fine of between R20?000 and the amount claimed plus 5% - or whichever is bigger - will be handed down.
The HPCSA's Lize Nel said committees of formal inquiry were constituted of healthcare practitioners, community representatives and independent legal assessors.
She said accusations of leniency were unfounded as the committees consider the charge, severity of the complaint, evidence, testimonies and might also consider mitigating factors presented by the defence team before imposing a sentence.
- City Press