This Code of Conduct strives to express AOOPA’s commitment and undertaking to uphold the institutional image of the Association as one of Professional ethical standards, integrity, and accountability in respect of the members’ relationship within the Association and with the public. A copy of the full code of conduct is available from president@aoopa.co.za or secretary@aoopa.co.za.

All AOOPA members in the South African jurisdiction are registered with the Board for Healthcare Funders (BHF) and are therefore legally entitled to claim from all South African Medical Aid Schemes. The BHF registration can be checked by using the practice numbers listed under the individual details of each practice (see the section ‘FIND AN OCUARIST OR A FACIAL/ORBITAL/OCULAR PROSTHETIST’).

AOOPA members have malpractice insurance, which also testifies to their professional conduct and allows for patient peace of mind.

All AOOPA members are registered with the Office of the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO).

The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) is set up in terms of the Consumer Protection Act and is a statutory entity with jurisdiction to enforce the Consumer Goods and Services Industry Code of Conduct by receiving and dealing with complaints of consumers free of charge. Unlike some Ombudspersons within the same scope of practice who do not have jurisdiction (but only recommendation authority) settlements reached through the Office of the CGSO are binding on the supplier.

If you have lodged a complaint with a supplier (Ocularist/Facial Prosthetist) and the complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you can escalate your complaint to the CGSO, who will give the supplier the opportunity to resolve the complaint and help the parties to reach an agreed settlement. All patients can rest assured that you have full recourse through the services of the CGSO.

The CGSO can be reached here: CGSO – Consumer Goods and Services Ombud

All AOOPA members participate in mandatory Continued Professional Development (CPD) controlled and administered by the Association.

AOOPA members are associate members of the South African Optometric Association (SAOA).

AOOPA members are full members of the South African Society of Oculoplastic Surgeons (SASOPS).

AOOPA members are associate members of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA).

Please note that AOOPA members fulfill all requirements to render the applicable prosthetic services to patients and to claim from medical aid schemes. Of particular importance is the fact that no membership of any other non-statutory Ocular or Orbital Prosthetic body is required to practice, because there is no legislation that prescibe such additional membership. This position is also confirmed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), who is responsible for the registration of non-statutory professional bodies. From a non-statutory point of view, these (non-statutory) professional bodies can only serve the interests of members, whose membership is voluntary. For such a non-statutory body to claim that they regulate a specific industry based on their non-statutory status, will be a violation of the Constitution of South Africa.