Medical aid & health complaints
Got a problem with your medical scheme, hospital, doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist or optometrist? Here's where to go for advice and complaints - including how to find your nearest private hospital or trauma centre, or get information on treatment costs and scale of benefits.
Council of Medical Schemes
A body established by government to protect the interests of the public and members of medical schemes. Their web site has a "complaints zone" where a complaint can be both filed and tracked online. Before submitting a complaint, you must first follow your medical scheme's internal complaints procedure.
- Tel: (012) 431 0500 - general inquiries
- Tel: (012) 431 0508/47 - complaints
- Fax: (012) 430 7644
- E-mail: general inquiries
- E-mail: complaints
- Web site
- Frequently asked questions about medical schemes (Adobe PDF format)
Health Professions Council of South Africa
A statutory body that sets and maintains standards for health care in the country. Every health professional must be registered with the Council, which has the power to institute a disciplinary inquiry into any complaint of unprofessional conduct by any of its members.
Note that the Council does not handle complaints against hospitals - see hospital complaints below.
- Tel: (012) 338 9300 or 328 6680
- Fax: (012) 328 5120/4895
- E-mail: inquiries
- E-mail: complaints
- Web site
- Complaints - procedure, logging a complaint, ethical rules for health professionals.
Hospital complaints
Complaints against public hospitals should be made to the Department of Health.
- Tel: (012) 312 000
- Fax: (012) 326 4395
The Hospital Association of South Africa
A self-regulatory body which investigates complaints against its members. On the web site you can find your nearest private hospital or trauma centre and get information on costs and financing of treatment, scale of benefits - and lodging a complaint (click on "public pages").
South African Medical Association
South African Nursing Council
An independent statutory body that sets and maintains nursing standards in South Africa, and investigates complaints of unprofessional conduct by nurses.
Dental Ombudsman
For complaints and questions about treatments or charges.
- Toll-free tel: 0800 113 334
South African Dental Association
- Tel: (011) 484 5288
- Toll-free: 0800 11 07 25
- Fax: (011) 642-5718
- Web site
- Online contacts
South African Optometric Association
Will assist with complaints against optometrists who are members of the Association. Their web site offers a range of other useful services and information.
South African Pharmacy Council
- Tel: (012) 319 8500
- Fax: (012) 321 1492
