National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)RegulationsEmergency Medical Services Regulations, 2017Part 5 : EMS Operational Affairs26. Management of Emergency Medical Service |
| (1) | An Emergency Medical Service must appoint, in a full time capacity, an Emergency Medical Services Manager who is qualified and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, as, at least, an Ambulance Emergency Assistant, to manage the Emergency Medical Service. |
| (2) | A Volunteer Emergency Medical Service must appoint an Emergency Medical Services Manager who is qualified and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, as, at least, an Ambulance Emergency Assistant, to manage the service. |
| (3) | The Emergency Medical Service Manager must— |
| (a) | ensure that the number of patients conveyed in an ambulance does not exceed the maximum number permitted in terms of its design and safety constraint provisions; |
| (b) | ensure that the Emergency Medical Service is operated in a way that provides quality care and does not compromise the safety of the public, patient or personnel; |
| (c) | keep patient records confidential, as required by law and the ethical rules of the Health Professions Council of South Africa; |
| (d) | inform the Head of Department within twenty (20) working days, of any change in the particulars furnished by or on behalf of the licence holder in terms of these Regulations; |
| (e) | ensure that a patient is not refused emergency medical treatment by the Emergency Medical Service because of the patient's inability to pay, or on any other grounds; |
| (f) | ensure that protocols exist for immediate intervention in the event of the exposure of personnel to situations that are hazardous biologically, chemically, psychologically or physically; |
| (g) | maintain a formal set of standard operating procedures that staff members must adhere to; |
| (h) | promote safe driving techniques, as well as awareness of defensive driving techniques; |
| (i) | ensure that every vehicle operated by the Emergency Medical Service is fitted with a satellite tracking device that is capable of live satellite tracking, including current location, speed and route travelled and that is capable of generating historic reports; |
| (j) | ensure that the Emergency Medical Service maintains valid calibration certificates for the relevant equipment in use by the Emergency Medical Service as prescribed in Annexure B; |
| (k) | ensure that every ambulance manufactured on, or after, the implementation date of these Regulations complies with the South African National Standards (SANS) Regulations applicable to a registered vehicle manufacturer; |
| (I) | ensure that every operational and licensed vehicle is in a road worthy condition as per the relevant Road Traffic legislation; |
| (m) | ensure that the Emergency Medical Service maintains copies of each of the following documents for every ambulance manufactured on, or after, the implementation date of these Regulations: |
| (i) | A Manufacturer / Importer / Builder (MIB) Certificate of the manufacturer, importer or builder of the ambulance; |
| (ii) | a Builder's Certificate for each ambulance; and |
| (iii) | an eNaTIS Certificate for each ambulance as issued by the manufacturer of the ambulance; |
| (n) | ensure that scheduled medication is stored and recorded as per the Medicines and Related Substance Act,1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965) and the Pharmacy Act; 1974, (Act No. 53 of 1974); |
| (o) | ensure that all Emergency Care Personnel are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and practise within the Health Professions Council of South Africa's scope of practice and that patients are not over-serviced for financial gain; |
| (p) | ensure and maintain good conduct and high levels of professionalism; |
| (q) | ensure compliance with the provisions relating to emergency driving in the National Road Traffic Act; |
| (r) | ensure that in multiple patient situations, patients are treated and transported according to the triage priority and that there is compliance with the carrying capacity of the ambulance; |
| (s) | retain ultimate responsibility for ensuring ethical behaviour of Emergency Care Personnel; |
| (t) | ensure that there are mechanisms in place for the management of complaints, consultation, clinical governance and quality assurance; |
| (u) | ensure compliance with norms and standards determined by the Office of Health Standards Compliance; |
| (v) | ensure that all indicators for Emergency Medical Services as per the National Indicator Data Set are submitted as stipulated by the Auditor General of South Africa; and |
| (w) | ensure compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act No. 75 of 1997) and the applicable provisions of the Public Service Regulations, 2001, as amended. |