Biggest change in over 50 years for one group of workers in South Africa

• Physiotherapists can now assess patients, diagnose conditions, and refer patients to other health professionals without needing a doctor's referral.
• The 1976 regulations described physiotherapy as a field that supported medicine, while the 2026 regulations recognise physiotherapists as independent, autonomous practitioners.
• The public and interested parties can submit written comments or representations to the Director-General of Health within three months from the date of publication.