Legislation providing for a National Code of Conduct, setting minimum standards for unregistered healthcare workers, has been introduced into State Parliament.
In a statement, Minister for Health, Roger Cook said occupations captured by the National Code included massage therapists, dietitians, speech pathologists, counsellors and other types of allied, alternative and community health services.
Mr Cook said it would also apply to all healthcare workers who were not registered under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, or who provided services unrelated to their registration, or who were students or volunteer healthcare workers.
He said the purpose of the National Code was to better protect the public by setting minimum standards of conduct and practice for all unregistered healthcare workers who provided a health service.
“The National Code will allow action to be taken against a healthcare worker who fails to comply with the minimum standards as provided for under the National Code,” Mr Cook said.
“Under the Bill, the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office will implement the National Code through receiving complaints and undertaking investigations of an alleged breach of the National Code and penalties of $30,000 can apply.”
He said this action would include the issuing of a prohibition order to cease practice, or placing conditions on a healthcare worker’s practice where their conduct presented a serious risk to public health and safety.
Mr Cook said the Bill amended the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Act 1995.
