Kuphila Medical Centre Daily services are:
General Practitioner (GP) Services: Kuphila General practitioners (GPs) treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment. We focus on the health of the whole person combining physical, psychological and social aspects of care. Kuphila General practitioners have an important role in looking after patients in their homes and within the communities where they live. We are part of a much wider team whose role includes promoting, preventing and initiating treatment. Our GPs look after patients with chronic illness, with the aim to keep people in their own homes and ensuring they are as well as they possibly can be. Kuphila GP's are often the first point of contact for anyone with a physical or mental health problem when patients can be at their most anxious. Looking after the whole person - the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, cultural and economic aspects through patient-centred approaches is a vital part of the Kuphila GP’s role.

Advantages to using Kuphila General Practitioners:

• General Practitioners with over 25 years experience in Medicine
• Trustworthy sick notes
• Total illness management

Kuphila prides themselves in following up on patients and their progress via telephonic calls.

Educational Psychologist: Educational psychology focuses on learning and development across the life span and in multiple contexts. Like other psychologists, educational psychologists are trained to promote healthy functioning and to evaluate, diagnose, and treat pathologies of behaviour, mental processes, emotions and personality. Educational psychologists often work with clients with primary or co-morbid presentations that include disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence; cognitive disorders; mental disorders due to medical conditions; substance-related disorders; mood disorders; anxiety disorders; sexual and gender identity disorders; eating disorders; sleep disorders; adjustment disorders; and personality disorders. They may also deal with somatoform disorders, fictitious disorders and impulse control disorders. Less often, some educational psychologists work with clients who experience schizophrenia; other psychotic disorders; and delirium, dementia and amnestic disorder.

Different educational psychologists (as is the case with all categories of psychologists) will have developed different areas of interest in their practices. Some areas of activity for educational psychologists, within their specialised focus on learning and development, may include the following:

• Promoting psychological well-being
• Treating psychopathology
• Promoting learning
• Facilitating development across the life span
• Psychotherapy
• Family therapy
• Group work
• Community interventions
• Parental guidance
• Couples counselling
• Marital therapy
• Play-therapy
• Parent infant psychotherapy
• Case management
• Psycho-educational assessments
• Psycho-legal assessments
• Vocational assessments
• Examination concession assessments

Assessing, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of psychological issues, such as:

• Problems first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence (for example, learning difficulties, bed wetting, behavioural problems and anxiety)
• Problems due to medical conditions
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders; such as separation anxiety, post-traumatic stress and generalised anxiety – Problems of adjustment
• Sexual problems
• Gender identity
• Eating disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Personality disorders
• Relationship issues
• Bereavement and loss
• Reconstructed families
• Divorce
• Sexual abuse
• Cognitive handicap
• Autistic spectrum disorders
• Problems with reading, writing, spelling, maths and comprehension
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorders
• Developmental delay
• Study skills
• Attachment and bonding
• Family conflict
• Step-parenting
• Sexual abuse
• Post-natal depression

Neuropsychologist: A specialty in professional psychology, neuropsychology focuses on brain functioning, applying the principles of assessment and intervention to patients who display symptoms of brain injury or are suspected of having neurological disorders. Underpinned by a knowledge of brain structure, function and dysfunction, and the effects of multiple factors on cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning. Brain function is evaluated by testing, among other things, memory and thinking skills, which is the role of the neuropsychologist, who will then diagnose and make recommendations for treatment.

Neuropsychologists are psychologists who have specialist training in the neurobiological causes of brain disorders and who focus on diagnosing and treating these illnesses. The “brain detectives” of the psych world, they can have a number of different job functions, from uncovering the effects of traumatic brain injuries on a person’s mood, behaviour and ability to think, to discovering effective treatments for individuals whose brain functioning has been diminished. They work with people of all ages, dealing with patients who have had traumatic brain injuries, strokes, toxic and metabolic disorders, tumours and neurodegenerative diseases, among other things.

Sex and especially sexual problems (or dysfunction) are still taboo subjects amongst many people. Sexual problems are very prevalent. It is estimated that 43% of women experience sexual dysfunction at some stage of their lives. Men over the age of 40, very frequently experience sexual dysfunction and is often related to underlying chronic conditions.

Sexual dysfunction has a detrimental effect on an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence and usually leads to conflict and poor communication within couples.

Sex and Relationship Therapy aims to resolve such stress within an individual and the relationship. There are medical solutions for many of the male sexual problems and some of the female dysfunctions. Other problems are treated with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, in individuals and couples.

Dr Yssel worked at the Sexual Dysfunction Division at the Department of Urology, University of Pretoria. She also trained at the Loyola School of Medicine, Illinois, as a Sex and Couple’s Therapist.

Kuphila Medical Centre offers extremely confidential and professional sex and couple’s therapy  services.

Public Driver Permits were previously known as Public Drivers' Permits. You need one if you plan on driving passengers, goods, or dangerous goods in exchange for monetary benefits. The PDP license is just an additional document to your standard driving license. You should obtain a Professional Driver's license to meet South Africa's roads legally.

When do you need a PDP license?

If you plan on driving any commercial vehicles, have a look at the list. PDPs cover the following car categories:

• A breakdown vehicle or a bus, Light motor vehicles, indicated in the economic sector for carrying passengers for a fee or set financial reward/benefit such as a taxi-cab. Any vehicle for which an operating license is issued.
• A goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3,500 kg
• A minibus weighing more than 3,500 kg or designed to carry twelve or more people, including the driver
• A motor vehicle designed to hold twelve or more people with the inclusion of the driver
• Dangerous good vehicles, such as fuel tankers and LPG tanker
• Any motor vehicle being used to transport people for payments

To get your PDP South Africa or temporary PDP license, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid driving license for the type of vehicle in question
• Have been certified by an approved training body (only required for category D (dangerous goods) vehicles)
• Have never had your driving license suspended
• Have never been convicted of a criminal offense or have been lawfully required to pay an admission-of-guilt fine.
• Do not have a criminal record for (in the past five years), including driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating substances.
• Driving a motor vehicle while the concentration of alcohol in your blood or breath exceeded a statutory limitation and, in the case of an application for a category P and D permit, an offense of which violence was an element.
• Have been certified by a medical physician to be medically fit

As required by all licenses, one must have reached the legal age permissible for the document to be issued. The age limits for one to acquire the PDP license are as follows:

• 18 years of age or older to hold a PDP for a goods vehicle
• 21 years of age or older to hold a PDP for a passenger vehicle
• 25 years of age or older to hold a PDP for a dangerous goods vehicle

Now that you are aware of the set limitations and categories, the next step is to start your application for the permit. Before beginning the steps to acquire the PDP certification, you will need to ensure you have the following:

• Your National Identification card
• Passport-sized photographs
• A valid driver's license
• Police clearance certificate and criminal record
• A PDP medical form or certificate that must be less than two months old

The next step involves presenting yourself to the nearest Driving License Testing Centre( DLTC), where you will complete the PDP form. It will most likely be titled as 'Application for professional driving permit' form (PD1).

Medicals: Within the context of occupational health and safety, a medical assessment is a set of testing run on employees to determine their overall medical condition and determine their general health state. A medical assessment is conducted to identify any health issues that may affect a worker's ability to perform on the job. It forms a critical part of occupational health and safety in which all our health care professionals have over 25 years of experience.

A medical assessment can be conducted at various times during employment. It can be part of pre-employment screening, could be required by hazard insurance carriers before a previously injured employee is allowed to return to duty, could be conducted before an employee begins a new set of duties, or after any event that might have resulted in a considerable change in employee health and capabilities. An assessment should always be conducted by a medical health professional. An assessment can include a variety of testing that will determine the general condition of an individual and their capacity to complete job duties.

The assessment may look at a detailed occupational history, the employee's medical records, examinations and, or further testing of major systems in relation to job requirements (such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal), drug testing, hearing tests, lung function, and eyesight screening.

The assessment will result in a report that will consider the employee's ability to perform the particular tasks that are required for his job.

Advantages to the Kuphila Medicals would be:

• Best Prices
• Quick Service
• Occupational Health Practitioners with over 25 years experience

EWP (Employee Wellness Programmes): Kuphila offers Employee Wellness Programmes (EWPs) which consider the wide range of employees’ needs, providing a wellness programme which supports both the organisation and staff. Kuphilas EWPs provides employees with the support they need in all aspects of their lives, helping them function at their full potential. Happy, engaged employees are productive employee. 

General services offered with EWP’s:

Telephonic support: Kuphila is staffed with registered professionals who provide first line assistance, support and counselling to provide your employees with the emotional care and support they need 24 hours a day. 

Legal, financial and health advice is offered to help employees manage their lives more effectively. (Image of telephonic counselling / Mobile phone with Kuphila telephone number on it)

Face to Face counselling (Psychology): Employees can see a professional Psychologist for counselling at a time and place that is most suitable to them. A network of affiliates ensures counsellors are available close to home or place of work. Trauma support is also available. (Couch with cushions, Kuphila logo on background wall)

Health and Wellness education: Monthly newsletters keep your employees up-to-date with guidance on trending health issues. (Computer Screen with cell phone with Kuphila Newsletter on it.)

Financial Advisor: A financial adviser is someone who's willing to get to know you personally. It's not just a transaction - it's a partnership. Once a financial planner knows your goals, they’ll be able to provide informed and thoughtful financial advice to keep you on track to achieving your financial goals. It's not impossible to invest on your own in South Africa, but an adviser has the objectivity and experience to help you with financial planning to grow your wealth, adapt to meet the full range of challenges you might face, avoid costly mistakes, and to help you stay focused and on track with tax-efficient investments. (Financial Advisor / Consultation)

Additional EW Services:

• HIV/AIDS testing, management and support
• Absenteeism management
• Substance abuse testing and training
• Wellness Days
• Chronic medication programme 
• Covid Screening, Training and Management

Trauma/Crisis Interventions and Debriefing: A crisis refers not just to a traumatic event or experience, but to an individual's response to the situation. The events that trigger this crisis can run the gamut of life experience, from developmental hurdles (such as going through puberty) to natural disasters to the death of a loved one.

Crisis counseling is an intervention that can help individuals deal with the crisis by offering assistance and support.

The first part of crisis counseling involves assessing the client’s current situation. This involves listening to the client, asking questions and determining what the individual needs to cope effectively with the crisis.

During this time, the crisis counseling provider needs to define the problem, It is also essential to ensure client safety, both physically and psychologically.People who are experiencing a crisis need information about their current condition and the steps they can take to minimize the damage. During crisis counseling, mental health workers often help the client understand that their reactions are normal but temporary.

While the situation may seem both dire and endless to the person experiencing the crisis, the goal is to help the client see that they will eventually return to normal functioning.

One of the most important elements of crisis counseling involves providing support, stabilization, and resources. Active listening is critical, as well as offering unconditional acceptance and reassurance. Offering this kind of nonjudgmental support during a crisis can help reduce stress improve coping. During the crisis, it can be very beneficial for individuals to develop a brief dependency on supportive people.

In addition to providing support, crisis counselors also help clients develop coping skills to deal with the immediate crisis. This might involve helping the client explore different solutions to the problem, practicing stress reduction techniques and encouraging positive thinking.

This process is not just about teaching these skills to the client; it is also about helping the client to make a commitment to continue utilizing these skills in the future.