The National Code of Conduct for unregisteredhealth workers

@Arban70 19/05/2015

At the COAG Health Council meeting of 17 April 2015 Health Ministers agreed to implement a First National Code of Conduct for health care workers who are not registered under the National Registration & Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for health practitioners.

This was the culmination of a process that began in November 2010 when Health Ministers agreed to conduct a national consultation on regulatory options for unregistered health workers

After extensive consultation, Ministers considered a Regulatory Impact Assessment on 14 June 2013. They agreed in principle to state and territory health regulation via a Code of Conduct and tasked the working group to develop a suitable model Code

The First National Code is the outcome of that further consultation process and a final report to Ministers – see http://bit.ly/1GBemJi

A brief background to the Code

The National Code will apply to paramedics (and related health care workers) in the absence of registration and/or other legislation

The National Code sets standards of conduct and practice for all unregistered health care workers.

Ministers agreed to use their best endeavours to achieve national consistency (Code-based regulatory regimes already operate in three states: NSW, SA and Queensland)

A common web portal will be developed along with a nationally consistent suite of explanatory materials. This work will be led by the Australian Health Complaints Commissioners

There will be a common framework for the collection and reporting of data & annual performance reporting to the COAG Health Council

What does this involve ?

There will be an independent review of the scheme after five years, or earlier at the request of Health Ministers

The Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) will oversee the joint work required to give effect to the arrangements

In due course, all health workers will be covered either through registration or by the provisions of the National Code - as applicable within particular jurisdiction(s)

The Health Council Communique together with the attached First National Code of Conduct is available here: http://bit.ly/1yS81vA

More information on regulatory developments likely to affect paramedics and related health care workers is expected to be available on the AHMAC website here: http://bit.ly/1Fl1Tgk

What else will happen ?

The provisions of the National Code for Health Care Workers (HCW) are outlined under 17 major categories – see: http://bit.ly/1yS81vA In broad outline these categories cover:

1. HCW to provide services in a safe and ethical manner

2. HCW to obtain consent

3. HCW to exercise appropriate conduct in relation to treatment advice

4. HCW to report concerns about the conduct of other HCW

5. HCW to take appropriate action in response to adverse events

6. HCW to adopt standard precautions for infection control

7. HCW diagnosed with infectious medical conditions

8. HCW not to make claims to cure certain serious illnesses

Key Code matters: 1 - 8

The 17 broad Code of Conduct categories (continued):

9. HCW not to misinform their clients

10. HCW not to practise under the influence of alcohol or unlawful substances

11. HCW practice with certain mental or physical impairment

12. HCW not to financially exploit clients

13. HCW not to engage in sexual misconduct

14. HCW to comply with relevant privacy laws

15. HCW to keep appropriate records

16. HCW to be covered by appropriate insurance

17. HCW to display the Code and other information

Key Code matters: 9 - 17

Paramedics will be covered by formal regulatory provisions (either a code or registration) and compliance measures will include appropriate indemnity insurance (inter alia)

Affected persons should read the final report to Ministers and the First National Code of Conduct to inform themselves about these compliance measures

Paramedics, employers & related workers at all levels should monitor information provided by the relevant government agencies as the Code implementation proceeds, and

Follow up any relevant professional development opportunities

Learn more about professionalism by engaging with pertinent websites & social media channels such as http://on.fb.me/1Gcjlju

What are some ramifications ?