On 6 May 1998, the Joint Committee on Health Care Complaints Commission(the Committee) resolved to conduct an inquiry with the following terms of reference: That the Committee examine the experience of consumers in dealing with unregistered health practitioners (including those practising in alternative healthcare fields) with a view to establishing: (a) what complaint mechanisms exist for consumers;

(b) whether these complaint mechanisms are effective;

(c) whether there is scope for strengthening voluntary codes of behaviour or conduct;

(d) whether the provisions in the Health Care Complaints Act 1993,relating to unregistered health practitioners are appropriate or whether they need strengthening;

(e) any other related matters.