PRESENTED BY | DR T K S LETLAPE 22 FEBRUARY 2012

1. PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAININGACCREDITATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCEIN MEDICAL EDUCATION PRESENTED BY | DR T K S LETLAPE 22 FEBRUARY 2012

3. HPCSA & It’s Structure Mandate of the Medical & Dental Professions Board Minimum Standards For Education & Training In Medicine Accreditation Process History Cycle PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

4. The regulation of the medical qualifications in higher education institutions Capping of enrolments in medical programmes offered by higher education institutions The role of the HPCSA in determining the number of students that may be registered by higher education institutions in medical programmes. The overall role of the Council in higher education Closing PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

5. ABOUT THE HPCSA The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is established by the Health Professions Act number 56 of 1974 as amended in 2007. The driving vision of the HPCSA is “Quality Health Care Standards for All” members of the population of South Africa. We are committed to: i) Promoting the health of South Africa’s population ii) Determining standards of professional education and training iii) Setting and maintaining fair standards of professional practice

6. MISSION The mission of HPCSA which is “To enhance the quality of health by developing strategic policy frameworks for effective co-ordination and guidance of the professional boards in: • Setting health care standards for training and discipline in the professions registered with the Council; • Ensuring ongoing professional competence; and • Fostering compliance with those standards

7. BACKGROUND • Section 3 (f) of the amendment act stipulates that the HPCSA, control and to exercise authority in respect of all matters affecting education and training within its jurisdiction • Section 15 A (c) further stipulates that Professional Boards control and exercise authority in respect of all matters affecting the education and training of persons in any health profession falling within the ambit of the professional board.

8. STRUCTURE HPCSA has Twelve (12) Professional Boards operating under its auspices (representing 29 major professions) Occupational Therapy & Medical Orthotics /Prosthetics Dental Therapy & Oral Hygiene Environmental Health Practitioners Speech, Language & Hearing Professions Optometry & Dispensing Opticians Physiotherapy, Podiatry & Biokinetics Radiography & Clinical Technology Medical & Dental Psychology Dietetics & Nutrition Medical Technology Emergency Care

9. The Medical and Dental Professions Board (MDB) is one of the Professional Boards. • MDB is responsible for regulating health professionals in medicine, clinical associate, dentistry and medical science.

10. MANDATE OF THE MDB • To determine and ensure maintenance of minimum standards for professional practice and professional conduct. • To determine and ensure upholding of minimum standards for education and training in medicine, dentistry and medical science.

11. MANDATE OF THE MDB • To grant certification to compliant practitioners to practice professions. • To register, where applicable, graduates for internship • To register, where applicable, graduates for community service

12. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN MEDICINE • Ensure that practitioners are competent to practice the medicine profession safely, ethically and professionally • Used to measure compliance of education and training • Undergraduate education and training • For clinical training (e.g. internship) • Postgraduate education and training

13. ACCREDITATION The purpose of accreditation is to promote excellence in educational preparation while assuring the public that graduates of accredited programmes are educated in a core set of knowledge and skills required for competent, safe, ethical, effective, and independent professional practice

14. THE FOCUS OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS • The vision, mission, objectives & outcomes for university programme • Curriculum design, content & organisation • Teaching, training, learning and assessment • Students recruitment, safety, support & guidance

15. FOCUS OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS cont.…. • Student progression and achievement • Staff recruitment, selection, development • Educational facilities and services • Governance and organisation • Quality assurance and enhancement

16. THE ACCREDITATION CYCLE • The MDB accreditation cycle is five years; which is followed by a follow up visit • Limited accreditation surveys are conducted support improvement • Universities submit annual reports to the boards to report on recommendations • Should the institution’s facilities/curricula not adhere to minimum standards accreditation is withheld or withdrawn

17. HISTORY OF ACCREDITATION 3. University of the Witwatersrand • 2004 = 240 plus 60 for GEMP • 2006 = 240 plus 80 for GEMP • 2010 = 220 plus 160 for GEMP 4. University of the Free State • 2002 = 200 • 2005 = 140 • 2010 = 140 1. University of Limpopo • 2001 = 200 • 2004 = 200 • 2008 = 200 • 2009 = 200  2. University of Pretoria • 2007 = 220

18. HISTORY OF ACCREDITATION 5. Walter Sisulu University • 2003 = 100 • 2008 = 100 • 2011 = 120 6. Stellenbosch • 2003 = 200 • 2008 = 220 • 2011 = 250 7. University of Cape Town • 2003 = 200 • 2005 = 200 • 2007= 200 8. University of KwaZulu-Natal • 2005 = 210 • 2010 = 210

19. THE REGULATION OF THE MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS • This is done through the health professions act • Evaluate and accredit higher education institutions • Evaluate and accredit clinical training and professional practice facilities • Register students who are enrolled at higher education institutions for qualifications leading registration with the HPCSA • Conduct Board examinations to ensure that graduate are fit for registration

20. CAPPING OF ENROLMENTS IN MEDICAL PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS • The determines the maximum number of students that can be enrolled for programmes according to the extent to which an institution meets minimum standards for delivery good quality graduates • The HPCSA/Professional Boards do not cap the number of students that can be enrolled or number of output that should be delivered by institution

21. CAPPING OF ENROLMENTS IN MEDICAL PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS • There was a time when there were not enough posts to absorb graduates in professions such as medical technology and environmental health. In these cases the HPCSA regulated the size of the intake of first year students • There is currently no Professional Board which has restricted the number of first year students due employment opportunities

22. THE ROLE OF THE HPCSA IN DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT MAY BE REGISTERED • Enrolment planning in higher education is the function of the Department of Higher Education and Training • The DHET sets enrolment targets for institutions to guide student admissions • The HPCSA has no direct input the enrolment planning for students to be registered by higher education institutions

23. THE OVERALL ROLE OF THE COUNCIL IN HIGHER EDUCATION • Quality assurance of education and training leading to registration with the Council through the Health Professions Act • The HPCSA has an Education Training Quality Assurance Standing committee which guide and monitor performance of the Professional  Boards • Protecting the public by ensuring delivery of competent practitioners who are safe to practice their professions

24. INTERN REGISTRATIONS | 2009 - 2011

25. ACCREDITATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCEIN MEDICAL EDUCATION Thank you for your attention

26. HPCSA CONTACT DETAILS Physical Address: 553 Vermeulen Street, Arcadia [cnr Vermeulen & Hamilton Streets Postal Address: P O Box 205, Pretoria, 0001 Telephone : +27-12-338 9320 Fax: +27-12- 324 1520 Website : www.hpcsa.co.za E-mail: registrar@hpcsa.co.za