Final Report, Review of the 1998 Report into 'Unregistered Health Practitioners: The Adequacy and Appropriateness of Current Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints'
| Report Date | Friday 29 September 2006 |
|---|---|
| Date Tabled | Wednesday 27 September 2006 |
| Ordered Printed | Friday 29 September 2006 |
| Number of Pages | 109 |
| Context | Review of the "Unregistered Health Practitioners: The Adequacy and Appropriateness of Current Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints" Report 1998 (inquiry), Health Care Complaints Committee |
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The current Committee decided to review the previous Committee's 1998 Report into 'Unregistered Health Practitioners: The Adequacy and Appropriateness of Current Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints' in December 2005. This was a direct result of concerns raised about unregistered professionals in other health fields during the Committee's 2005 Inquiry into Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The following recommendations were made in the September 2006 Final Report (Review of the 1998 'Report into Unregistered Health Practitioners: The Adequacy and Appropriateness of Current Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints')
RECOMMENDATION 1: That a future Committee review the adequacy of the Health Legislation Amendment (Unregistered Health Practitioners) Bill 2006 two years after the date of implementation
RECOMMENDATION 2: That the Health Care Complaints Commission and the relevant health registration board list on their websites all tribunal decisions resulting in practitioner de-registration or restrictions on practice
RECOMMENDATION 3: That legislation be passed in New South Wales to register practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the divisions of acupuncturist, Chinese herbal practitioner and Chinese herbal dispenser, as recommended in the Committee’s November 2005 Report
RECOMMENDATION 4: That the progress of Victoria in relation to the registration of practitioners of naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine be monitored, with a view to further exploring the possible registration of these practitioners in New South Wales
RECOMMENDATION 5: That NSW Health revisit the recommendations contained in the 1998 report ‘Unregistered Health Practitioners: The Adequacy and Appropriateness of Current Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints ‘
RECOMMENDATION 6: That the Code of Conduct for unregistered health practitioners be developed in consultation with the Health Care Complaints Commission, health registration boards and health professional associations
RECOMMENDATION 7: That the Code of Conduct cover, as a minimum, standards relating to: sexual misconduct, fraud, informed consent, record-keeping, privacy and the provision of accurate information to the consumer
RECOMMENDATION 8: That unregistered health practitioners be required to make the Code of Conduct accessible to consumers at all times
RECOMMENDATION 9: That all unregistered health practitioners be required to display qualifications, if any, at their primary place of work at all times
RECOMMENDATION 10 That display of information on both internal complaints procedures and contact details for the Health Care Complaints Commission be a requirement of all practices and clinics of unregistered health practitioners
RECOMMENDATION 11: That the Health Care Complaints Commission develop a formal referral procedure to facilitate complaints referrals between health professional associations and the Commission
RECOMMENDATION 12: That the Health Care Complaints Commission undertake a campaign to ensure widespread awareness and knowledge of the implications of the Code of Conduct and other associated reforms, utilising existing networks such as health professional associations
RECOMMENDATION 13: That the Health Care Complaints Commission establish relationships with the professional associations representing unregistered health professions, focusing initially on the peak representative bodies
RECOMMENDATION 14: That the Health Care Complaints Commission host an annual meeting of regulatory bodies for the unregistered professions with representation from each of the major modalities
RECOMMENDATION 15: That the Australian Department of Health and Ageing introduce uniform guidelines for health funds with specifications regarding modalities eligible for cover as well as acceptable minimum qualifications
RECOMMENDATION 16: That the issue of the determination of eligibility for health fund rebates be revisited as part of the review of the NSW Health Minister’s legislative reforms in approximately two years time
RECOMMENDATION 17: That the Health Conciliation Registry consider the issue of consumer refunds as part of conciliation processes, particularly those involving unregistered practitioners
RECOMMENDATION 18: That NSW Health include on its website clear information about the current regulation of the health professions in NSW, including the difference between registered and unregistered professionals
RECOMMENDATION 19: That this website also include links to accurate information on the main types of therapies available
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