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11 Sep 2019
The revised Guidelines for mandatory notifications aim to help practitioners, employers and education providers understand whether to make a mandatory notification about a registered health practitioner. The changes to mandatory notifications guidelines also include changes that are a result of legislation passed by the Queensland Parliament earlier this year.
The amendments apply to registered health practitioners in all states and territories except Western Australia and modify the reporting obligations for practitioners who are treating other registered health practitioners. These changes aim to give practitioners confidence to seek treatment for their health and wellbeing, while continuing to prevent the risk of harm to the public. In particular, the threshold for reporting by treating practitioners has been raised, which means the circumstances that would trigger a mandatory notification by a treating practitioner are more limited than in the past.
Alongside the consultation on the revised guidelines, AHPRA and National Boards will also be developing an information campaign to explain ‘What mandatory notifications mean for you’.
The revised guidelines and campaign aim to clarify the mandatory notifications requirements. The campaign will encourage practitioners to seek help for their health and wellbeing when they need it and improve understanding of the purpose and relevant circumstances for mandatory notifications. The mandatory notification obligations are different for different groups, and for that reason it is important that we hear what you have to say about the revised guidelines. To have your say please read the draft revised guidelines and consultation paper and respond to the questions via links on the Consultation section of the Board's website. The consultation closes on 6 November 2019.
The Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service have been updated to ensure they are effective in helping practitioners understand their advertising obligations under the National Law.1 They explain and provide guidance on these obligations with the structure and readability of the guidelines improved to make it easier to find specific information.
To have your say please read the draft revised guidelines and consultation paper and respond to the questions via links on the Consultation section of the Board's website. The consultation closes on 26 November 2019.
1The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).