10 15 Persons under contract (1) The Board or a hospital management board may engage persons under contract, on such conditions as may be prescribed by the Board: Provided that, if the effect of any such conditions would be to increase the fixed salary or salary scale applicable to any post or grade, the Minister shall obtain the concurrence of the Minister responsible for finance. (2) There may be incorporated in the conditions referred to in subsection (1) such provisions of any enactment relating to conditions of service of members of the Health Service, as may be considered necessary or desirable in the light of the nature of the contract. (3) Upon the termination of a contract entered into in terms of subsection (1), the person under contract shall cease to be a member of the Health Service, unless the contract is renewed or the member is appointed to the Health Service in some other capacity. 16 Recognised associations and organisations (1) The Minister, after consultation with the Board, may, by written notice to the association or organisation concerned, declare any association or organisation representing all or any members of the Health Service to be a recognised association or a recognised organisation, as the case may be, for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Minister, after consultation with the Board , may at any time, by written notice to the recognised association or organisation concerned, revoke any declaration made in terms of subsection (1). (3) Without derogation from section 13— (a) the Minister and the Board may consult with a recognised association or organisation on such matters affecting the efficiency, well-being or good administration of the Health Service or the interests of members of the recognised association or organisation, as the Minister and the Board thinks appropriate; and (b) a recognised association or organisation may make representations to the Minister and the Board concerning the conditions of service of the members of the Health Service represented by the association or organisation, and the Minister and the Board shall pay due regard to any such representations when exercising any function in terms of this Act. (4) Any member of the Health Service who is eligible to do so may join a recognised association or organisation and, subject to this Act, participate in its lawful activities. (5) A member of the Health Service who fails or refuses to join a recognised association or organisation shall not, on account of such failure, be debarred from or prejudiced in respect of any appointment, promotion or advancement within the Health Service. 17 Investigation and adjudication of misconduct cases (1) Any case involving misconduct or suspected misconduct on the part of a member of the Health Service employed by a Government hospital shall be investigated, adjudicated upon and, punished by the appropriate hospital management board, or by such person or authority as may be prescribed in service regulations.