Pharmacies, GPs and clinics: what to check when looking for care

Finding healthcare isn't quite the same as choosing an ordinary local service.

You may need to know whether a particular practitioner is registered with the appropriate professional council, whether the provider offers the service you need, what an appointment costs and how payment or medical aid works.

Know a Pro can help you discover providers and view the information they have chosen to share, but professional registration and healthcare credentials should be checked through the appropriate regulator where relevant.

This article is about finding and comparing healthcare providers. It isn't medical advice.

Start with the type of care you're looking for

Depending on your needs, you might be looking for:

• a GP or family doctor;
• a pharmacy;
• a dentist;
• an orthodontic practice;
• a physiotherapist;
• a biokineticist;
• an optometrist;
• a nursing service;
• a clinic;
• a day hospital; or
• another healthcare provider or facility.

Different professions have different scopes of practice and regulatory arrangements.

Don't assume every healthcare provider is registered with the same council.

Check professional registration with the right regulator

Where professional registration applies, check it with the relevant statutory council or regulator.

For example:

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

Other professions can have their own appropriate professional council or regulatory framework.

Know a Pro's ID Verified badge is separate from professional registration.

Checking an HPCSA-registered practitioner

The HPCSA provides practitioner-verification information that can show details such as the practitioner's register and current registration status.

If you're seeing a practitioner who should be registered with the HPCSA, independently check the relevant registration information where appropriate.

Make sure you're checking the actual practitioner you're planning to see rather than assuming that everyone working at a particular practice has the same registration status.

Pharmacies and pharmacists are different

Pharmacy professionals fall under the South African Pharmacy Council, not the HPCSA.

SAPC is responsible for registration of pharmacy professionals and maintains relevant registers.

A pharmacy also involves regulatory requirements beyond simply establishing the identity of one person associated with the business.

Know a Pro's ID Verified badge doesn't verify pharmacy registration, licensing or compliance.

Nurses and midwives have their own register

Nurses and midwives fall under the South African Nursing Council.

SANC's eRegister currently allows registration status to be checked against active records from its official register.

If nursing or midwifery registration matters to the service you're considering, check it separately rather than relying on a Know a Pro badge.

Check exactly who you'll be seeing

A practice or clinic may have several professionals working from the same premises.

Before an appointment, it can be useful to know:

• the practitioner's name;
• their profession;
• the service you're booking;
• whether a referral is required;
• whether professional registration applies; and
• which practitioner will actually provide the service.

Don't assume a facility listing verifies every individual practitioner working there.

Understand the service before booking

Check that the provider actually offers the service you're looking for.

For example, a practice may offer only certain consultations, procedures, tests or treatments.

A directory description isn't a substitute for discussing your healthcare needs with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

If you're unsure whether a service is appropriate for your health situation, contact an appropriate healthcare professional rather than relying on a directory article.

Ask about consultation fees

Healthcare pricing can vary by practitioner, facility, service, duration and treatment required.

Before your appointment, ask:

• the consultation fee;
• whether there are additional procedure or facility fees;
• whether tests are charged separately;
• whether medicine or materials are included;
• when payment is due; and
• what payment methods are accepted.

If the provider can't know the full cost until after an assessment, ask how additional costs will be explained.

Don't assume “medical aid accepted” means the same thing everywhere

Medical-aid arrangements can differ between providers.

Ask whether the provider:

• submits claims directly to your medical scheme;
• requires you to pay and claim back;
• charges according to a particular tariff;
• may charge above the amount your scheme pays; and
• requires pre-authorisation for particular services.

You can also confirm benefits and authorisation requirements with your medical scheme.

Don't assume a provider accepting medical-aid patients means your particular plan will cover the full account.

Check opening hours and appointment arrangements

Confirm:

• ordinary opening hours;
• whether appointments are required;
• whether walk-ins are accepted;
• weekend or public-holiday hours;
• after-hours arrangements, if offered; and
• how appointment changes or cancellations work.

Keep in mind that online opening hours can become outdated, so confirm when timing is important.

Understand after-hours care

Some practices offer an after-hours service while others don't.

Find out:

• whether after-hours care is available;
• whether it is at the same location;
• whether you need to call first; and
• whether different fees apply.

If you believe you or someone else may be experiencing a medical emergency, use the appropriate emergency medical services or emergency facility rather than waiting for a directory enquiry or ordinary appointment.

Look at location and accessibility

Practical details can matter when someone is unwell or has limited mobility.

Depending on your needs, check:

• physical address;
• parking;
• public-transport access;
• wheelchair access;
• stairs or lifts;
• accessible toilets;
• collection arrangements for medicines; and
• whether someone can accompany the patient.

If accessibility is essential, confirm the actual facilities rather than relying only on a general “accessible” description.

Read reviews for the right reasons

Reviews may provide useful context about previous patients' experiences with things such as:

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

But reviews aren't a clinical assessment.

A high rating doesn't prove that a practitioner is professionally registered, clinically competent or appropriate for your particular health needs.

Likewise, one negative experience doesn't necessarily establish the quality of clinical care.

Be careful with sensitive health information

Health information is personal.

When making an initial directory enquiry, avoid sharing more sensitive medical information than is reasonably necessary.

Use the provider's appropriate consultation or secure communication process for detailed medical information where available.

Don't post private medical information publicly in reviews.

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:

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

Don't use ID Verified as a substitute for checking professional registration or other healthcare-specific requirements that matter to your decision.

Before your appointment, confirm the essentials

Depending on the provider and service, consider confirming:

• provider or practitioner name;
• professional registration where relevant;
• appointment date and time;
• physical location;
• service being booked;
• consultation fee;
• possible additional fees;
• medical-aid arrangements;
• referral or pre-authorisation requirements;
• cancellation terms; and
• any practical preparation instructions provided by the healthcare professional.

For questions about your health, diagnosis or treatment, speak to an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Find healthcare providers

Know a Pro lets you browse healthcare listings and review information providers have chosen to share.

This article provides general consumer information and was reviewed in September 2026. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace consultation with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Professional registration, facility requirements, scopes of practice and healthcare regulation differ by profession and service. Check the relevant professional council, regulator, provider and medical scheme where appropriate.