News Article
Print Send Article Subscribe Bookmark and Share



NSW: Doctors to be registered under national scheme


16/11/2009 -

Health professionals working in NSW will be registered under a national scheme designed to protect patients from dodgy practitioners.

The legislation was passed by the NSW parliament on Thursday night, making it one of the first states to adopt the new system.

The system will apply to doctors, nurses, optometrists, midwives, chiropractors, pharmacists, psychologists, physiotherapists, podiatrists and dentists.

NSW Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt said the new laws were a "significant step" that would give the public increased confidence in the health system.

The Health Practitioner Regulation Bill 2009 would also make it easier to avoid "appalling" situations where practitioners had gained employment in other states after they had been deregistered or suspended, she said.

"Once enacted across the country, these laws will mean greater consistency and ensure that uniform processes are in place for registering practitioners and accrediting educational programs."

There is already an expectation that NSW doctors will report colleagues who they fear are putting patients at risk, but the rule will now be applied to a wider range of health practitioners.

Tebbutt says NSW will keep its independent investigator and prosecutor, the Health Care Complaints Commission.

Comment was being sought from NSW Health and the Australian Medical Association.

Source: AAP NewsWire

 



Send article to a colleague
To:  
 
 
From:  
 
Message:
(Optional)
 
Confirm:  
Protected by FormShield
 
 
 
 


Most Read News  
The use of "clot-busters" thrombolytic medicines used to break up blood ...
Comments: 0
Depression and anxiety among doctors is common, with suicide rates above ...
Comments: 0
The long-held belief that allergies cause asthma in children has been ...
Comments: 0
The outbreak of a gastrointestinal virus at Canberra Hospital has forced ...
Comments: 0
The world has made the least progress towards the Millennium Development ...
Comments: 0
A Brisbane mum has launched an iPhone application she hopes will save ...
Comments: 0
Political uncertainty in Canberra has left cancer patients in the lurch. ...
Comments: 0
It has arrived much later this winter, but experts say the swine flu is ...
Comments: 0
Eating-disorder help groups will receive $129,000 in state government ...
Comments: 0
Regular use of over-the-counter painkillers can actually lead to ...
Comments: 0