South African Rheumatism and Arthritis Association

SARAA Council
Council meeting - TAU 2002

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Proceedings

Dr Gotlieb (EXCO president) 
Dr Kalla
Dr Lyddell
Dr Halland
Dr Naigyer
Dr Van Duuren

Council members absent with apologies

Prof Tikly
Prof Mody

Invited delegate

Prof Meyers

Dr Gotlieb welcomed everyone and declared the Council formally constituted as a quorum was present. 

Status of Physical Medicine Specialists: 

Prof Meyers gave the background to the difficulty facing Physical Medicine Specialists. 
He reiterated the existing requirements for registration as a Rheumatologist. This  includes qualification as a Physician Specialist in Internal Medicine, and experience under the guidance of a registered Rheumatologist The problem regarding the Physical Medicine specialists concerns the failure to comply with existing criteria. In addition, Prof Brighton was not a registered Rheumatologist when acting as head of the Pretoria Arthritis unit. 
Prof Meyers felt that the matter had dragged on too long, that we appreciated the very similar type of practice as Rheumatologists and that we should recommend that they should be given a special waiver even though the grandfather clause had closed at the end of 2001. 
Should other physical Medicine specialists from elsewhere apply for registration they would not be granted this waiver. 
Council discussed and debated this issue and consensus was reached without difficulty or controversy. The opinion of Prof Meyers was agreed with by all Council members present.

Dr van Duuren, Dr Debra Nel, Dr Christa Visser, Dr Antoinette de la Harpe, Dr Christa van Rensburg, Stan Brighton are the persons affected by this. 

This following motion was unanimously passed by Council: 

Proposer: Dr Gotlieb
Seconder: Dr Halland

"It is proposed by Council that the five persons with Physical Medicine named hereunder be granted the subspecialty registration as Rheumatologists under the grandfather clause as a once-off waiver. Future applicants will be required to follow the standard registration process.

Affected persons

Dr van Duuren, Dr Debra Nel, Dr Christa Visser, Dr Antoinette de la Harpe, Dr Christa van Rensburg, Prof Stan Brighton "

It was felt that Prof Meyers should prepare a formal letter to the Health Professional Council of South Africa, HPCSA explaining the background recommending that these 5 persons should be approved, to be ratifed and forwarded by EXCO.The persons concerned should each individually send their CV and motivation to HPCSA.

Medicolegal proceedings and peer review

Council noted that SARAA EXCO has requested of the Health Professional council that it should be consulted in matters relating to Rheumatology issues.

Council was adjourned with thanks to all attendees and with satisfaction that the final position regarding the physical medicine issue was now concluded

March 2002

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