How healthcare practices can build a clear, useful profile

A healthcare profile should make practical information easy to understand.

Whether you run a medical practice, pharmacy, dental practice, clinic or another healthcare service, potential patients may want to know who they'll see, what services you provide, when you're open, what an appointment may cost and how payment works.

Your Know a Pro profile gives you a place to present that information clearly.

Professional registration and healthcare-specific regulatory requirements remain separate from Know a Pro's identity verification.

Explain exactly what your practice offers

Start with the services patients can actually access.

Depending on your practice or facility, this might include:

• GP consultations;
• dental services;
• physiotherapy;
• biokinetics;
• optometry;
• pharmacy services;
• nursing services;
• clinic services;
• day procedures; or
• other healthcare services.

Avoid broad claims that could make your scope unclear.

If a service requires a particular practitioner, referral, appointment or assessment, explain that where useful.

Tell patients who they'll be seeing

A practice can include several healthcare professionals.

Where appropriate, clearly identify:

• practitioner name;
• profession;
• role within the practice;
• services they provide; and
• relevant professional registration information you choose to display.

Don't imply that one person's Know a Pro identity verification verifies every practitioner working at the practice.

Describe professional registration accurately

Different healthcare professions have different regulators.

For example:

• medical practitioners and dentists are among the professions regulated within the HPCSA framework;
• pharmacists and pharmacy professionals fall under the SAPC; and
• nurses and midwives fall under SANC.

Other professions can fall under another relevant professional council or regulator.

If you publish professional registration information, make sure it is accurate and current.

Don't describe Know a Pro as having independently verified professional registration unless that is actually a platform feature.

If you're HPCSA registered

If HPCSA registration applies to your profession, you can clearly state accurate, current registration information relevant to your practice.

Patients may independently check practitioner registration through the HPCSA's verification resources.

Don't imply that your ID Verified badge is proof of HPCSA registration.

If you operate a pharmacy

Pharmacy is regulated separately from the HPCSA.

The South African Pharmacy Council regulates pharmacists, pharmacy support personnel and pharmacy premises in South Africa.

If you operate a pharmacy, make sure information about the pharmacy and pharmacy professionals is accurate and that you comply with the requirements applicable to your service.

Don't describe a Know a Pro identity badge as proof of pharmacy registration, premises registration or regulatory compliance.

If nursing forms part of your service

Nurses and midwives are regulated through SANC.

SANC currently provides its eRegister for checking active registration records.

If you publish nursing credentials or registration information, make sure the information is accurate and current.

Don't imply Know a Pro has independently verified SANC registration.

Explain your consultation and service fees

Where practical, give patients useful information about costs.

You might show:

• standard consultation fee;
• starting price for a service;
• whether prices vary by practitioner;
• whether procedures are charged separately;
• whether tests, medicine or materials cost extra; and
• when a patient needs to request a quote or obtain an assessment first.

Don't advertise a fixed price if the final cost depends on an assessment or treatment required.

Keep published fees current.

Explain medical-aid arrangements carefully

Avoid simply saying “we accept medical aid” if patients need more information.

Where applicable, explain:

• whether you submit claims directly;
• whether patients pay first and claim back;
• whether you charge according to a particular tariff;
• whether patients may have a co-payment or shortfall;
• whether pre-authorisation may be required; and
• whether arrangements differ by service.

Don't promise that a patient's particular medical scheme or plan will cover the service.

Encourage patients to confirm their own benefits with their medical scheme where necessary.

Keep your opening hours current

Patients may rely on your profile when deciding whether and when to contact you.

Keep information such as this current:

• weekday hours;
• weekend hours;
• public-holiday hours;
• appointment requirements;
• walk-in arrangements;
• after-hours services; and
• temporary closures.

If hours change, update them promptly.

Be precise about after-hours care

Don't advertise “24/7”, “emergency care” or “after-hours service” unless that accurately describes what you provide.

If you offer after-hours care, explain:

• when it's available;
• whether patients need to call first;
• where the service is provided; and
• whether different fees or arrangements apply.

Don't imply that an ordinary directory enquiry is suitable for a medical emergency.

Explain appointment arrangements

Make it clear whether patients:

• need an appointment;
• can walk in;
• should call first;
• need a referral;
• need pre-authorisation; or
• should bring particular documentation.

If your cancellation policy includes a fee or notice period, state it clearly.

Describe accessibility rather than relying on a label

If accessibility is relevant, practical details are more useful than simply saying “accessible”.

Depending on your premises, you might explain:

• wheelchair access;
• ramps;
• stairs;
• lifts;
• accessible toilets;
• parking;
• drop-off arrangements; and
• whether a patient can bring a support person.

Only claim facilities you actually provide.

Use photographs appropriately

Useful profile images might include:

• reception;
• waiting areas;
• consultation-room environment;
• building entrance;
• signage;
• parking or accessibility features; or
• other appropriate areas of the premises.

Be careful with patient privacy.

Don't publish identifiable patient photographs, medical records, appointment screens or other sensitive information without an appropriate lawful basis and permission.

Treat patient information carefully

Health information is sensitive.

Your public profile should focus on information about your practice rather than individual patients.

Don't ask patients to publish detailed medical information in reviews.

Use appropriate practice systems and communication channels for sensitive health information.

Use reviews responsibly

Genuine reviews can give prospective patients context about previous experiences.

They may discuss matters such as:

• communication;
• reception;
• administration;
• waiting times;
• explanations;
• cleanliness; or
• general experience.

Reviews aren't proof of clinical competence, treatment quality or patient safety.

Don't ask patients for a particular star rating.

Don't write reviews for patients.

Be especially careful about responding publicly to a healthcare review in a way that could disclose or confirm private health information.

Avoid guarantees about treatment

Don't promise:

• guaranteed results;
• guaranteed recovery;
• guaranteed treatment success; or
• outcomes that can't reasonably be assured.

Describe your services and professional experience accurately without turning the profile into a promise about a patient's medical outcome.

Understand what ID Verified means

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified relates to identity verification.

It does not verify:

• HPCSA registration;
• SAPC registration;
• SANC registration;
• other professional registration;
• qualifications;
• scope of practice;
• clinical competence;
• pharmacy-premises registration;
• healthcare-facility licensing or registration;
• medical-aid arrangements;
• treatment quality;
• patient safety; or
• regulatory compliance.

Keep professional and regulatory claims separate from the Know a Pro identity badge.

Keep your profile current

Review your profile when something important changes.

Pay particular attention to:

• practitioners;
• services;
• professional-registration claims;
• opening hours;
• consultation fees;
• medical-aid arrangements;
• contact information;
• physical location;
• accessibility;
• after-hours arrangements; and
• appointment requirements.

Healthcare information can become misleading quickly when old details remain online.

Share your profile

Your Know a Pro profile has its own shareable page link.

You can share it through appropriate channels such as:

• your practice website;
• social media;
• WhatsApp;
• email; or
• other practice communications.

It gives patients another place to view the information you've chosen to provide and contact your practice.

Don't describe the profile as a replacement for your clinical, patient-record or emergency communication systems.

What it costs to list

Know a Pro currently has two monthly membership plans:

Independent Pro — R300/month

Registered Business — R500/month

Know a Pro does not take a percentage of the jobs you receive through the platform. Your applicable monthly membership fee still applies.

Build a profile patients can understand

A useful healthcare profile doesn't need to claim that you're the most trusted practice or promise better clinical outcomes.

Clearly explain who you are, what you provide, when you're available and what patients should know before contacting you.

Accurate practitioner information, current hours, clear payment arrangements and careful handling of patient information make the profile more useful.

This article provides general information for healthcare providers and was reviewed in September 2026. It isn't legal, regulatory or clinical advice. Professional registration, facility requirements, scopes of practice and healthcare regulation differ by profession and service. Confirm and comply with the requirements that apply to your practice and obtain professional or regulatory guidance where appropriate.

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