ReLPAG Press Release 25 Novemeber 2019

1. Last Friday afternoon psychologists registered with the HPCSA received a document titled Outcome of the Review of the Scope of Practice by the Professional Board of Psychology (PBP).
2. This document is seemingly meant to provide guidelines for psychology practitioners registered, practising and falling under the auspices of the HPCSA.  
3. ReLPAG understands this document was intended to inform these professionals and inter alia the public using the services of these professionals as to the stance of the HPCSA is in what it refers to as “protecting the public and guiding the profession”.
4. In this regard however, due to the lateness of the announcement it was difficult to obtain opinions of all role players.  Individual practitioners and university professors alike started asking questions as to the meaning of the Overview Document.  There is clearly confusion. 
5. A psychologist with a dual registration in psychology, counselling and educational, immediately asked for clarification and informed ReLPAG she was promised attention to her letter within 24 hours. 
6. In the past ReLPAG has not received any attention to their letters and had to institute court action to get an understanding and clarification on exactly this important matter. 
7. ReLPAG unsuccessfully asked for a statement from the PBP/HPCSA on 14 October 2019.  This was a month after the Scope of Practice was repealed by the honourable Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, by way of a Gazetted Notice on 13 September 2019.  A follow-up letter from ReLPAG to the PBP and the President of the HPCSA brought a promise from an employee at the HPCSA that ReLPAG will be contacted by a Ms Taljaard from the PBP within 3 days. This did not materialise. 
8. ReLPAG is an action group who speaks on behalf of all psychology practitioners, including disenfranchised psychologists, psychometrists and registered counsellors.  These professionals who are members of ReLPAG assist through donations which enables ReLPAG to act on their behalf and to serve the public and the psychological fraternity.   The public and communities in a violent society are through thoughtless actions deprived of psychological services not available in the public sector.  
9. There are outcries of lack of money and skills from the Department of Health.  ReLPAG is in possession of such a letter where services are curtailed for exactly this reason.  ReLPAG has taken this up with the relevant Department without reply.  
10. ReLPAG, in light of the desperate need for psychological services which is common cause, not only cautions but expresses concern and grave difficulty with this statement by the HPCSA.  This while October 2019 statistics available from the HPCSA, indicate 9072 registered psychologists are on register.  No one however indicate a big percentage of these are now once again being limited and disenfranchised and can only deliver limited services to members of the community.    
11. ReLPAG, through individual members requested the Professional Board of Psychology for clarification by phone and in writing on 15 November 2019 and on 18 November 2019.  These efforts were unsuccessful apart from automated responses indicating the requests for clarifications will receive attention within 24 hours.  Follow-up was done but by 23 November 2019 no feedback or clarification was received.   

                     ReLPAG will keep you updated on developments in this regard. 

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