Queries over national measures to protect patients

As part of the new national registration system, Australia’s Health Ministers have agreed on “safety measures” designed to protect patients.

They are:

• Mandatory reporting of professionals who are placing the public at risk of harm. This means that other practitioners or employers (like hospitals) must report conduct which puts patients at harm, including practising under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or sexual misconduct.
• Mandatory criminal history and identity checks for all health professionals registering for the first time in Australia. All other registrants will be required to make an annual declaration on criminal history matters when they renew their registration.
  

These rules will affect dentists, doctors, nurses, midwives, optometrists, chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, pharmacists and psychologists. The “protections” will take effect when the national registration scheme commences in July next year.

The Australian Medical Association and the NSW and WA Health Ministers have raised particular concerns about the move, including costs, political influence on setting training standards, and the potential impact on State complaints' procedures.