AHPRA Senate Inquiry Report and response

The report by the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee on 'The administration of health practitioner registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)', was released late yesterday.
It's ten recommendations are:
1.  That AHPRA should issue a letter of apology to practitioners who were deregistered because of the problems revealed by the inquiry and, where it is established a lapse or delay in registration took place, AHPRA should reimburse practitioners for any loss of direct Medicare payments.
2.  That AHPRA should rectify any situation where a practitioner is left liable due to their professional indemnity insurance lapsing, or being voided, during a period where they were deregistered by AHPRA’s administrative failings.
3.  That the Commonwealth Government seek the support of the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council to undertake a regular review of the registration of overseas trained health practitioners.
4.  That AHPRA establish Key Performance Indicators in relation to the registration of overseas trained health practitioners and provide detailed information on this matter in its annual report.
5.  That complaints processing within AHPRA be reviewed to ensure more accurate reporting of notifications and to reduce the impact of vexatious complaints on health practitioners.
6.  That the Commonwealth Government seek the support of the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council to identify and establish mechanisms to improve the accountability of AHPRA to the parliaments of all jurisdictions and the Australian public.
7.  That AHPRA, as a matter of urgency, establish consultative groups with professional organisations and health providers.
8.  That the Commonwealth Government seek the support of the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council to amend the National Law to provide AHPRA with a discretion to grant a grace period where a health practitioner faces deregistration as a result of administrative error by AHPRA.
9.  That the Commonwealth Government seek the support of the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council to amend the National Law to provide further practicing classifications for practitioners in academic institutions and for those who practise in a limited manner.
10.  That the Commonwealth Government seek the support of the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council to implement a review of the mandatory notifications requirements and in particular take into account the Western Australia model of mandatory reporting.

In a media release issued in response, Mr Peter Allen, Chair of the Agency Management Committee of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) welcomed the Senate's scrutiny of the early implementation of the national scheme, and "was pleased that the Inquiry did not identify any new issues that were not already being addressed by AHPRA".

“AHPRA acknowledges that many concerns expressed by our stakeholders about the early implementation period were valid. Nonetheless, we are encouraged that most submissions from organisations confirm support for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. We are committed to working closely with our stakeholders to realise the full benefit of the National Scheme for all Australians,” Mr Allen said.