In the words of our President: “We are only at the beginning of a monumental struggle that demands our every resource and our every effort. We cannot relax. We cannot be complacent. In the coming weeks and months, we must massively increase the extent of our response and expand the reach of our interventions.”
In light of this most recent address, I want to urge all of you to remain cooperative with the regulations and guidelines that have been shared. All over South Africa people are unable to work, unable to earn an income, in industries that require less social contact and risk than the one we find ourselves in.
Telemedicine is proving to be a valuable resource for therapists in South Africa and around the world. If you have not yet explored this option, it is a wise idea to do so, as it is the only way to continue to support our clients and patients with no risk of impacting the current Coronavirus situation, as well as continuing to make an income.
When interpreting what an essential service is, and whether or not to consider an intervention as an essential service, please consider the following points:
Key points to note from the SAVC, as pertaining to Veterinarians and as are applicable to Veterinary Physiotherapy:
SAAPRA highly recommends that you treat patients by direct Veterinary referral only, and that for each individual case you apply your professional and clinical reasoning skills to determine whether you will be able to minimize or nullify the risk of transmission to an acceptable level before agreeing to the treatment of a patient.
In order to treat a patient or travel for work purposes, you will need to be in possession of a letter of essential services from the SAVC, a work permit, as well as your ID document.
Government Gazette 18 March COVID-19 Regulation
Government Gazette 25 March COVID-19 Amendment of regulations
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery COVID-19 contingency plan for the Lockdown
Visit the SAVA website for additional, extensive resources.
Visit the IVPD website for additional information on TERS and UIF claims
Our Constitution guides us to make decisions and to act in the best interests of our members, our respective professions, and most importantly our patients and clients.
The Code of conduct guides the actions of our members to ensure they act in the best interests of the association, the profession and most importantly their patients and clients
The Gazetted notice of promulgation of the profession of Veterinary Physiotherapy outlines the requirements for registration under this profession, curriculum and exit level outcomes, the scope of practice of Veterinary Physiotherapists, and a code of conduct for Veterinary Physiotherapists.
All registered Veterinary Physiotherapists will be held accountable to uphold the following rules.
All professionals registered with the South African Veterinary Council are required to maintain their Continuing Professional Development.