Relevant Legislation

Members should familiarise themselves with legislation applicable to the physiotherapy profession in Namibia

Allied Health Professions Act, 2004

Professional Conduct Rules: The Allied Health Proffesions Act, 2004

Regulations for Registration as a Physiotherapist, 2006

CPD Accreditation

Competent practice of our health profession requires consistent and ongoing commitment from all physiotherapists to update and develop their knowledge, skills and ethical attitudes. The Allied Health Professions Council will implement Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Namibia as from the beginning of 2010.

An agreement between the HPCNA and the HPCSA allows South African registered physiotherapists to only comply with the rules in Namibia. If you are in good standing with the Namibian authorities it will automatically be accepted by South Africa.

CPD activities have been divided into three levels of learning approaches and strategies.

1. Level 1: activities without measurable outcome.

2. Level 2: activities with measurable outcome and that do not necessarily constitute a full year of earned CEUs.

3. Level 3: activities with formally structured learning programmes.

HPCNA Individual CPD Activity Record (Form CPD 1)

Each physiotherapist is required to keep an updated HPCNA Individual CPD Activity Record (Form CPD 1) (this form will be available from the Allied Health Professions Council). This document is a record of every learning activity attended and completed.

In the event that a physiotherapist`s name is drawn in the compliance check, the original HPCNA Individual CPD Activity Record (Form CPD 1) for the previous 2 years, together with the Attendance Certificates (Form CPD 4) and certified copies of qualifications that may have been obtained during this period, must be sent to the CPD desk within 21 days of receipt of notification.

The NSP will print the Attendance Certificate (Form CPD 4) with the necessary information. You will receive it together with your certificate on completion of a course.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

To comply with the regulation of the HPCNA you have to accumulate 30 CEUs per 12 month period, of which 5 CEUs should be for ethics, human rights and medical law. CEUs will be valid for a period of 24 months from the date the activity took place or ended (in the event of post graduate studies). A physiotherapist must aim to accumulate a balance of 60 CEUs by the end of the second year.

Once a CPD activity has been accredited all health care professionals may attend the activity if it is relevant to their scope of practice. This will allow you to join a course from a different profession; in such a situation the profession responsible for arranging the course will provide the necessary certificate and the Form CPD 4.

Non-Compliance

Various penalties will apply in the event of non-compliance.

Documentation

It is each individual`s responsibility to keep all documentation for at least 3 years.

Your Responsibility

Supply the Secretary with your NAMPT number as well as your SAPT number (if applicable) as soon as possible. (Erika Brand: erikabrand@gmail.com or 081 333 3904)

Please note: If your registration number is not on the database, it will not be printed on your certificate. As stipulated by the HPCNA, a certificate and a Form CPD 4 without the necessary registration numbers will be invalid. Should a certificate need to be reprinted; an N$ 50 fee will be applicable.

Should you have any questions regarding the CPD, contact Lara van Wyk (laratjie@gmail.com)