Issuing Medical Certificates for Immediate Family Members

The Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Medical and Dental Professions Board  noted that some universities have raised concerns with students submitting sick notes thereby deferring examinations, these medical certificates were issued and signed by the students’ next of kin who were immediate family members and healthcare professionals. The EXCO therefore has issued the following advisory:

• Whereas not unlawful, it is undesirable for practitioners to issue medical certificates and reports for their immediate family, dependants (next of kin). In the event of medical certificates being issues due to extra-ordinary circumstances, the practitioner involved must be prepared to ethically justify their actions .
• Institutions are advised that an employer had the right to refuse to accept a medical certificate where circumstances exist (whether of a medical or another nature) which justified such refusal. Naturally such refusal, involving as it did, the exercise of discretion, must be judicially exercised.
• Employers are advised to report any acts that do not accord with expected practice standards in this regard.

 

Last Updated on 14 August 2024 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs