The HPCSA has announced that nationally, almost 10 000 professionals have been suspended, including 1 500 medical and dental practitioners, more than 6 500 emergency care practitioners and almost 600 psychologists.

Council spokeswoman Bertha Peters-Scheepers has stated that the Health Professions Act made it a criminal offence to practise when suspended or erased from the register.

Suspended practitioners are able to have their names restored to the register after they make an application and pay a restoration fee, which increases up to five times the applicable amount, depending on how long the application is made after the erasure date.

They will also be liable for their outstanding fees.

To check whether or not a practitioner is registered visit the website http://iregister.hpcsa.co.za/ or phone the HPCSA’s contact centre at 012 3389 301.