Naming Your Private Practice: A Guide Based on HPCSA Guidelines
Choosing the right name for your private practice is an important decision. the name is the identity of your practice, but it also needs to comply with regulations set out by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
This blog post summarizes the key points on how to name your private practice according to HPCSA guidelines for good practice.
Disclaimer: The rules and information may have changed since the video was recorded or the blog was published. Private Practice Growth Club cannot be held liable for decisions made based outdated information. It is your responsibility to check the sources to ensure information is still relevant and correct, especially if it is an old article.
The rules:
- (1) A practitioner shall use his or her own name or the name of a registered practitioner or practitioners with whom he or she is in partnership or with whom he or she practises as a juristic person, as a name for his or her private practice.
- (2) A practitioner referred to in subrule (1) may retain the name of such private practice even if another practitioner, partner of such partnership or member of such juristic person is no longer part of such private practice: Provided that the express consent of the past practitioner or, in the case of a deceased practitioner the consent of the executor of his or her estate or his or her next-of-kin, has been obtained.
- (3) A practitioner shall not use, in the name of his or her private practice, the expression “hospital”, “clinic” or “institute” or any other expression which may give the impression that such private practice forms part of, or is in association with, a hospital, clinic or institute.
A common question regarding naming your practice is around the use of brand names. Your official clinical practice name, the one referred to on professional stationery, associated with your practice number and HPCSA number, must adhere to the above rules. All your clinical activities must be administered under this name.
You can however have a different name as an overarching brand name for your location, you physical rooms or your social media platforms.
For example Jane Doe Occupational Therapists is the official practice name registered with BHF or CIPC if a company, provides OT services from the ABC Therapy practice rooms. On the professional stationery, the official name Jane Doe Occupational Therapy listed as the business name.
What do you think of these rules?
Tasneem is an Occupational Therapist in private practice and the founder of the Private Practice Growth Club. She is passionate about developing the mindset and business skills of health professionals. She is a book lover, is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship and always sees the potential of every glass to be filled.
Get the latest tips straight to your inbox
BLOG CATEGORIES
Advertise with Us
Have a product or service that will benefit private practice practitioners?
