Mission Statement
To promote the character and image of the private nurse practitioner professionally and publicly as a caring, proficient business person.
Code of Conduct
- To promote the character and image of the private nurse practitioner and the society at all times.
- To uphold all ethical and practical standards of nursing.
- To ensure adequately training and continual updating in the aspects of nursing being offered to patients.
- To refer patients to other professional people where appropriate.
- To ensure at all times that members will practice the profession with conscience and dignity and will not impose any political, religious or philosophical views on patients.
Aims
The main aim of the society is to provide ongoing support for practitioners through the provision of continuing education and seminars, marketing, tariff and legislative discussions with various statutory and regulatory bodies, peer review and support with clinical decision making, through:
- providing regular meetings with clinical updates and practice advice;
- marketing and tariff discussions;
- professionalisation of our membership;
- standard setting and recognition of nursing services by all authorities;
- peer support and networking;
Marketing is through our website, social media, magazine articles and contact with funders and healthcare organisations.
Annual updating of suggested fees structures for services. Currently tariff setting is not legal in terms of the Competition Commission, but as the South African Nursing Council refers to the practice of not overcharging healthcare users, the Society provides guidelines for its members. These suggested fees provide guidelines of the lower and upper recommended fees for its members.
In addition, the Society is participating in the Inquiry into the cost of private healthcare in South Africa by the Competition Commission, thereby ensuring that nurses and their clients are recognised in the provision of healthcare in South Africa.
The suggested fees are prepared annually and are provided free to members on joining and once a year. With the consent of members, they may also be made available to funding organisations.
Peer review and accreditation of members is a continuous program in conjunction with the statutory bodies and the funders, as this is their means of quality assurance, and our method of enabling them to recognise our professionalism.
Our peer review system provides for the setting of standards, and an opportunity for the practitioner and clients, including the medical schemes and funders, to evaluate areas of concern so that support and advice can be given by appropriately trained peers.
As a non- statutory body, the disciplinary function of the Society a limited by our Constitution. Most commonly peer review provides a platform to let both sides be heard so that problems may be resolved through mediation or referral to appropriate bodies for further interventions.
The process provides an opportunity for members to mentor and support colleagues in various situations.
Advantages and benefits of Memberships
The advantages and benefits of membership to the private nurse practitioners society are:
- Representation with statutory bodies with respect to recognition of private nursing services and fee structure for services;
- Marketing on members’ behalf in the appropriate available media, as well as with relevant healthcare organisations;
- Local and national referrals, as well as networking amongst fellow practitioners;
- Peer review and development of practice standards for Members;
- A source of information by experienced practitioners and mentoring fellow members;
- Acting as a “stronger voice” for Private Nurse Practitioners;
- Continuing education and updating with respect to the latest nursing techniques;
- Access to the Society of Private Nurse Practitioners suggested fees at no charge;
Negotiations with relevant organisations to ensure that range of insurance cover for professionals is available, including income protection, life insurance, medical aid and savings scheme. As information becomes available it made available to members.
The Society provides advice and support about the legislation and participates in the legislative process through inputs and meetings with authorities, wherever possible. Regular seminars and meetings are held in various areas in the country with speakers who are experts in their fields.
There are currently 3 regional branches of the Society. The regions act as resource and referral points for queries and new referrals. Members who live outside the regions with active branches will be allocated a branch. All members are welcome to attend meetings and workshops, irrespective of the allocated branch.