paramedic registration november 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Paramedic registrationUpdate Status – 15 November 2016
@Arban70 @ParamedProfhttps://www.facebook.com/ParamedProf
The National Registration & Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) was established under individual jurisdictional legislation to:
− protect the public by ensuring that only suitably trained and qualified practitioners are registered
− facilitate workforce mobility across Australia− enable the continuous development of a flexible, responsive and
sustainable health workforce
The NRAS is administered by AHPRA* and a number of professional regulatory Boards. It provides independent:
− protection of title− a register of practitioners− established registration standards− investigation of complaints− accreditation of courses
What is NRAS registration ?
*AHPRA - see https://www.ahpra.gov.au/
An independent authority registers and controls:� Who enters the profession – i.e. who gets on the register; making
sure that those who are registered are fit and competent - entry
� Who stays on the register - ensure those on the register are able to practice safely and maintain their competence - monitoring
� Who is removed from the register - those shown to be lacking ability or fitness to practice – removal
� The outcomes are open to public scrutiny - transparency
How does registration work ?
Registration involves transparency, objectivity & due process
The regulatory journey for paramedics has undergone many iterations on the way to its current resolution - with other developments involving the NRAS also part of the mix
Health Ministers in 2015 agreed to adopt a national Code of Conduct for unregistered health workers - http://bit.ly/1yS81vA That would apply to paramedics (and others) if not registered
Three states (SA, Tas & NSW) introduced interim legislation protecting the title of ‘paramedic’ but using different legislative frameworks: in SA – the NRAS; in Tas – the Ambulance Service Act; and in NSW – the Health Services Act
Separately, Senator Glenn Lazarus secured support for an Inquiry into paramedic registration http://on.fb.me/1PqdSvx 15 submissions were received bit.ly/1PHnjrP
The regulatory journey 1
Paramedic registration under the NRAS was supported by all states & territories except NSW at the COAG meeting on 7 August 2015 – but delayed - see http://bit.ly/1Nee6VE
Complicating matters, changes were also being proposed for the NRAS itself following a Review – see http://bit.ly/1PVs3vv
Health Ministers on 6 Nov 2015 agreed to support registration under NRAS with jurisdictions able to ‘opt-in’. NSW reserved its decision but other jurisdictions declared their intention to participate – see http://on.fb.me/1NYNskM
Independently, the Senate Committee released its Final Report on 9 May 2016 fully supporting national registration under the NRAS and recommending that all jurisdictions participate, including NSW – see http://bit.ly/1TOe7DL
The regulatory journey 2
Victoria’s Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) is currently the responsible lead agency for progressing the paramedic registration project - see on.fb.me/1oszXBU
The DHHS project team is charged with developing the ‘roadmap’ for registration and the necessary legislative changes – with implementation planned for September 2018
The DHHS team has appointed a project manager and set up an invited stakeholder Reference Group in March 2016
The first meeting of the Reference Group was on 4 April 2016 and a general information Bulletin was issued - see http://ow.ly/LqKG300avuW
The current status 1 (15 November 2016)
Work continued on exploring ways to resolve the NSW concerns regarding participation so as to achieve an inclusive national scheme – see http://bit.ly/2fq4Sel
The COAG Health Council on 7 October decided to proceed with amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to bring paramedics into the NRAS - see http://bit.ly/2dDF0wJ
Registration will be national in scope with paramedics to be registered in all Australian jurisdictions including NSW
The Ministerial Council decision has cleared the way for further development of the necessary legislative amendments that enable vocational (NSW) and tertiary educational pathways
The current status 2 (15 November 2016)
A draft amendment bill is expected to be considered by Ministers for approval early in 2017, with legislation being brought to the Queensland Parliament by (say) mid 2017
The involvement of AHPRA* will increase over time with implementation drawing on the experience & lessons from the four professions that entered the scheme in 2012
Further steps include appointment of a registration board, determination of accreditation arrangements, registration standards & applicable fees – see http://bit.ly/2ePHJWy
The COAG Communique is here: http://bit.ly/2d1ULuaThe Final RIS on regulatory options: http://bit.ly/2djLnWm
The current status 3 (15 November 2016)
*AHPRA - see https://www.ahpra.gov.au
Legislation in place (say) June 2017 (Ministers )
Recruit and appoint a national Board (Ministers)
Consult regarding standards, codes, guidelines and AHPRA systems/process design etc.
Approve standards & accreditation arrangements (Ministers)
List of approved pathways/programs (Board)
Publicise requirements / open registration
Assess applications and go ‘live’
Coming implementation steps
2017
2018
2017
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The DHHS paramedic registration project team can be contacted as follows:
Meredith CarterManager Legislative Reform Projects, Workforce RegulationVictorian Department of Health and Human ServicesPhone: 03 9096 1852Email: [email protected]
orAnne-Louise CarltonManager, Workforce RegulationVictorian Department of Health and Human ServicesPhone: 03 9096 7610Email: [email protected]
Further details
For additional information on regulatory and general matters affecting paramedicine follow social media channels:Twitter on @Arban70 and @ParamedProf Paramedic Observer https://www.facebook.com/ParamedProf
Information on paramedic practice is available on the websites and social media channels of (in alpha order):
─ Australian and New Zealand College of Paramedicine (ANZCP)─ Australian Paramedics Association (various jurisdictions)─ Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA)─ National Council of Ambulance Unions (NCAU)─ Paramedics Australasia - also see their dedicated ‘registration’ channels
Twitter @ParaRegAU and Facebook http://bit.ly/1MCfS0d─ Private Paramedicine Australia (PPA) http://on.fb.me/1OSq0Uq
Other information
The NRAS commenced in 2010 with 10 health professions
Chiropractic OsteopathyDental PharmacyMedical PhysiotherapyNursing & Midwifery PodiatryOptometry Psychology
A further four professions entered the scheme in 2012
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander health practiceChinese medicineMedical radiation practiceOccupational therapy
As at June 2016 there were 652,958 registered health practitioners in Australia – see http://bit.ly/2dF51Me
Currently registered professions
Access the Final RIS report on Options for regulation of paramedics (amended
version) here: http://bit.ly/2djLnWm