HSC to be replaced by Healthcare Quality Commissioner
The Healthcare Quality Commissioner Bill was introduced to the Victorian Parliament this week and while it preserves the conciliation powers previously held by the Health Services Commissioner, a number of new measures will require attention by dental practitioners.
The legislation will establish a formal requirement for all health providers to comply with complaints handling standards. Interim standards are provided in the Bill, and the Commissioner, once appointed, will be required to consult with relevant stakeholders and prepare the final standards for Ministerial approval and publication by order of the Governor in Council. Practices which have already met the requirements for practice accreditation are likely to have suitable measures in place.
Another matter the Bill addresses is the regulation of health practitioners not regulated by AHPRA, including where registered practitioners practice beyond the scope of their registration, e.g. where a dentist also offers naturopathic or homeopathic services. These services are described as 'general health care services' and providers are described as 'general healthcare providers'. They will be obliged to comply with a Code of Conduct which will become visible in new Regulations, yet to be developed. This move has long been supported by the ADAVB.
Another key change relates to cases involving both AHPRA and the Healthcare Quality Commissioner. Historically, where a complaint was also recognised as an AHPRA notification, resolution of the consumer complaint was delayed while the professional standards matter was addressed by AHPRA. The Bill anticipates that this would not need to be the case in future. This would help to address consumer concerns identified in a 2013 Study of people lodging complaints with the Health Services Commissioner.
Further ADAVB analysis will follow in the Branch Newsletter.
The legislation will establish a formal requirement for all health providers to comply with complaints handling standards. Interim standards are provided in the Bill, and the Commissioner, once appointed, will be required to consult with relevant stakeholders and prepare the final standards for Ministerial approval and publication by order of the Governor in Council. Practices which have already met the requirements for practice accreditation are likely to have suitable measures in place.
Another matter the Bill addresses is the regulation of health practitioners not regulated by AHPRA, including where registered practitioners practice beyond the scope of their registration, e.g. where a dentist also offers naturopathic or homeopathic services. These services are described as 'general health care services' and providers are described as 'general healthcare providers'. They will be obliged to comply with a Code of Conduct which will become visible in new Regulations, yet to be developed. This move has long been supported by the ADAVB.
Another key change relates to cases involving both AHPRA and the Healthcare Quality Commissioner. Historically, where a complaint was also recognised as an AHPRA notification, resolution of the consumer complaint was delayed while the professional standards matter was addressed by AHPRA. The Bill anticipates that this would not need to be the case in future. This would help to address consumer concerns identified in a 2013 Study of people lodging complaints with the Health Services Commissioner.
Further ADAVB analysis will follow in the Branch Newsletter.
Home (Past 7 Days)