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Dear Participant

This is an invitation to participate in a study entitled: The COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey of Non-Specific Psychological Distress During the South African National Shutdown [Ethical Clearance Number: H20-HEA-PSY-006]. The study aims to explore the psychological effects of the South African national shutdown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is required of the participant and the rights of the participant?

To participate in this study, you will be required to be residing in South Africa during the national shutdown, 18 years or older and agree to participate in the study.

Once you agree to participate, you will be directed to the survey questions. Completion of the survey questions should take less than 10 minutes.

Please note that participation in this study is voluntary. If you decide to participate, you have the right to withdraw at any point should you wish to. Confidentiality is maintained in that NO personal information (name, contact details etc.) is required for participation. However, biographical information, such as age, or province will be required for statistical purposes. Please also note that there is no direct benefit to you when participating in the study. However, the findings might be beneficial in assisting us to understand the psychological effects produced by the national shutdown. The data from the study will be utilised for research purposes only.

If you are interested in participating, please follow this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2KTW3XB to complete the survey.

We thank you in advance for your participation.

Regards

Mr Ashwin Navsaria – ashwin.navsaria@mandela.ac.za

Dr Konesh Navsaria – konesh.navsaria@mandela.ac.za

Prof Yaseen Ally – yaseen.ally@mandela.ac.za

Faculty of Health Science 

Department of Psychology

Nelson Mandela University

Port Elizabeth

6001

Download (PDF, 388KB)

As we move to Alert Level 3 from 1 June 2020, Council will continue with its Business Continuity Plan to ensure ongoing practitioner access to HPCSA operations. Practitioners who have not yet paid their annual fees are reminded of the 30 June 2020 deadline. The HPCSA annual fees can be paid through our online portal.

A new study provides stark insights into the spread of COVID-19 following an emergency ward visit by a single patient that resulted in the infection of 129 individuals and the deaths of 15 patients within 8 weeks. We urge practitioners to adhere to the environmental guidelines to create and maintain a safe working space.

The NICD has issued new COVID-19 guidelines and practitioners can consult these contact resources for more information on the pandemic.

HPCSA Operations Level 3
As we move to the new lockdown level, the HPCSA will continue providing services to practitioners in line with its Business Continuity Plan aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Provision has been made for registrations applications to be dropped off in boxes that are provided at the HPCSA for processing.

We recommend engaging the HPCSA online:

• Annual Renewals can be accessed through the online platform from the HPCSA website up to the payment stage. Practitioners will also be able to view and print their registration documents.
• Alternatively, payment of annual fees can be submitted via EFT using the banking details you find on the HPCSA website. Once the payments have been processed, practitioners can view their practicing card via the HPCSA portal.
• New Applications can be lodged by submitting the required documentation to registrationgroup@hpcsa.co.za. A new registration will be valid from the date of registration to 31 March 2021.
• New applicants will still be required to provide original documents. Once certified by the HPCSA, the registration will be converted to permanent registration.
• All applications will be processed within 72 hours and should practitioners not receive their registration certificates within this period, they can direct their enquiries to servicedelivery@hpcsa.co.za and copy Doreenm@hpcsa.co.za – please include your HPCSA registration number to speed up the process.

The following registration applications remain on hold:

• Registrations that require results of a Board Examination, e.g. Medical, Dental, Psychology examinations will only be attended to after the lockdown period.

Applications for persons who hold qualifications not prescribed for registration and those that are required to undergo an assessment as prescribed by the relevant Professional Boards remain on hold.

HPCSA Guidelines under the Disaster Management Act
Practitioners are reminded of the HPCSA guidelines and amendments to the existing regulations under the Disaster Management Act that will allow more practitioners into our health system and increase flexibility to practitioners’ responses to the pandemic. Further changes will be made when needed as we continue to closely monitor the developments in regard to the pandemic.

Practitioners requiring additional guidance from Council can submit their queries to Professionalpractice@hpcsa.co.za

NCID COVID-19 Guidelines
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) provides valuable information concerning COVID-19, ranging from frequently asked questions, providing technical resources and guidelines, information on prevention, and communication resources that can be utilised across settings. Practitioners are advised to acquaint themselves with the latest NICD protocols:

• Guidelines for symptoms monitoring and management of essential workers for COVID-19 related infection
• Guidelines for quarantine and isolation in relation to COVID-19 exposure and infection
• COVID-19: returning back to work
• Guidance on routine immunisation services

The NICD recommends consulting the World Health Organisation COVID-19 situation reports for daily updates of countries, territories or areas with reported laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases