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Why the Noakes- HPCSA hearing was postponed

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Prof Tim Noakes at the HPCSA hearing in Cape Town. (Jenna Etheridge, News24)
Prof Tim Noakes at the HPCSA hearing in Cape Town. (Jenna Etheridge, News24)

A hearing into the professional conduct of Professor Tim Noakes was sidetracked in June by arguments over whether a committee was properly constituted to hear the matter.

The hearing resumed on 23 November - follow the live update by News24

The Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has charged him with unprofessional conduct in that it alleges he acted in a manner not in accordance with the norms and standards of the profession, by providing “unconventional advice on breastfeeding babies”.

Noakes, who is an advocate of the low-carb, high-fat Banting diet, came under fire after tweeting to a mother to wean her child on low carbohydrate, high fat foods.

Read: Tim Noakes hearing: we need clarity, says Claire Julsing-Strydom

A complaint was lodged by the Association for Dietetics in South Africa’s (ADSA) president Claire Julsing-Strydom.

Noakes’s lawyer, Michael van der Nest, said the committee sitting before him was not compliant with regulations, which required that two members be registered with the medical and dental professions board.

He said at least one of these should be registered in the same discipline as Noakes, who is a general practitioner. “This committee has no standing at all. We wrote a letter to this effect yesterday [Wednesday],” he said.

HPCSA prosecutor, Adv Meshack Mapholisa, submitted the committee was properly constituted because a panel member, who is a specialist paediatrician, is still a GP. 

“Because he acquired extra qualifications which made him a specialist, that does not preclude him from still being regarded as being registered in the same discipline as Noakes.” he said.

Van der Nest reiterated that Noakes should have his case heard by colleagues in his direct profession and by members of the public.

Also read:

Tim Noakes to defend Banting for babies

Noakes' 'real food' may not be kid friendly

Tim Noakes to face inquiry over 'Banting' tweet

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Tim Noakes says refined carbs may be toxic

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Anti low carb diets:

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Pregnant moms on the high-fat diet may be putting their offspring's life at risk

Why a high-fat diet is bad for the body clock

A high-fat diet could up the risk of pancreatic cancer

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DietDoc asks: why are we always chasing quick-fix diets?Warning issued regarding HFLC and high protein diets

Too much, too soon, Tim Noakes!

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Noakes slammed by UCT professors

Patrick Holford: Banting is dangerous

Heart Foundation's open letter to Tim Noakes

Experts warn against Noakes diet

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