Following the passage of the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Act 2022 through Parliament, the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office (HaDSCO) is to be the entity responsible for receiving complaints related to health care workers covered by the National Code.
The National Code is to apply to health care workers who are otherwise not registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS).
HaDSCO will receive complaints, undertake investigations and issue Prohibition Orders when necessary.
Director of the HaDSCO, Sarah Cowie said the passing of the legislation was an important step in ensuring that a broad range of community and alternative health services were being delivered in a safe and ethical manner to Western Australians.
“There will be no changes to how people access their preferred alternative or community health service,” Ms Cowie said.
“The only difference is that individuals will be more protected and have more avenues to complain if the need should arise.
“The National Code will apply to individuals providing a health service who are not otherwise included in the 16 health professions that are currently regulated by the NRAS, or who provide services unrelated to their registration.”
She said this could include counsellors, dieticians, doulas, kinesiologists, massage therapists, naturopaths, nutritionists, psychotherapists, reiki practitioners and social workers.
Among other things, the National Code will require unregistered health care workers to provide services in a safe and ethical manner; not make claims to cure certain illnesses; not financially exploit clients or engage in sexual misconduct.
Ms Cowie said the HaDSCO would be providing a range of information for health care workers to help them understand their obligations under the National Code and how it applied to their practice.
More information about HaDSCO can be found at this PS News link.
