Consultation on

Consultation on National Registration of Paramedics and amendments to the National Law

February 2017

WelcomeWe pay our respects to the traditional ownersNational Paramedic Stakeholder Reference Group plus some new facesHousekeeping

Welcome

Policy development: Victorian Department of Health & Human ServicesAnne Louise CarltonMeredith CarterVivienne Hadj and Kym DalyLegislationQueensland Department of Health: James LiddyAdministrationAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Andrea Oliver NSW Ministry of Health: Robin Flynn

National Law amendment: a national exercise

Background to the National Law amendmentsConsultation purpose and processOverview of key reforms - paramedicsOverview of general reforms to the National LawNext steps

Today’s agenda

2010 National Registration and Accreditation Scheme established2012-14 National Consultation re paramedics 2014 - 2015 Independent Review National Scheme and Ministers’ ResponseNovember 2015 Ministers agree to paramedics in National Scheme on ‘opt in’ basisOctober 2016 All Ministers agree to proceed2017 Development of National Law amendments :Stage 1

Background

To inform finalisation of Bill implementing Stage 1 reforms for Health Ministers’ approvalConfidential consultation draft Bill – to be returned at close of forums Summary of the draft Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Amendment 2017– for public releaseFrequently asked questions (FAQs) – for public releaseWritten feedback to cob 22 FebruaryStage 2 to commence later in 2017

Consultation purpose and process

Phase 1:Dec 2015- April 2016Agree scopePhase 2: April - October 2016Settle policy parametersPhase 3: 2016 –2017Draft amendments to National Law. Qld passes National Law. WA, SAPhase 4: 2017 –2018AHPRA to establish administrative arrangementsRegistration commences late 2018

Where we are up to now: paramedics

Paramedicine added to the definition of ‘health profession’ in the National Law‘Paramedic’ becomes a protected titleNew Part 13 includes ‘participation day’ – this is the date registration commences

Overview of key reforms –Paramedics

New s307 and s308 establish the Paramedicine Board of Australia The Board has:limited functions until the participation day s308(1)&(3)same powers and functions as existing 14 Boards from participation day.New s.308 (2) allows Ministerial Council to appoint practitioner members to the Board prior to participation daySchedule 4 National Law deals with recruitment of a Board

Paramedicine

Board of Australia

The new section 308(3) also provides the powers for the Board to commence work.It will consult the field and develop:Registration standards all applicants for registration must meet under s38 National Law: eg Continuing professional development, criminal history, English language skills, recency of practice and professional indemnity insurance, for recommendation to Ministers; andCodes and guidelines under s39

Developing standards

The Board’s powers include determining whether to engage an external accreditation body or establish a committee (new s308(d)) andapproving the accreditation standards that will set out the programs of study that provide paramedics with the knowledge skills and professional attributes to practise in Australia.

Accreditation

New s.310, “Grand-parenting” During the first three years of the scheme provisions allow paramedics who are already practising but do not hold a qualification approved by the Board for general registration under s53 to be granted general registrationIn addition some qualifications accepted for general registration are specified in s.311All applicants must meet all the other registration standards determined by the Board (s38 National Law)

Registration

New s312 - an administrative mechanism allowing the Board to process early applications from a date to be determined by the Board and bring the registration cycle for paramedics into line with the AHPRA registration cycle.New s. 313 - provisions to protect applicants against prosecution if the Board has not considered their application for registration by participation day, andUnder new s.314, a 90 day period of grace applies if an application is late.New s315 - mechanism allowing paramedics to work or volunteer across borders if any jurisdiction is delayed in joining the Scheme.

Protections for applicants

Improvements in governance arrangementsA new power for Ministerial Council to change the structure of National Boards by regulation Enable appointment of either community members or practitioners to chair National Boards Nursing and Midwifery recognised as separate professionsGovernance continues with one BoardCan continue to hold dual registration

General reforms: Stage

1

Improved communication with notifiers was a key recommendation of Independent ReviewNational Boards will now have greater discretion to inform notifiers more fully of:Actions taken, The process and Reasons for decisions, not limited to outcomes information on public register.AHPRA and Boards to develop protocols

Stronger notifications

management

Powers to obtain broad practice informationBroader grounds for immediate action against practitioner or student Current test: serious risk to personsNew ground added: public interest (as in NSW) Prohibition orders Can prohibit provision of any health serviceOffences: breach $30,000; $5,000 failure to inform patients/employers (Similar to NSW)Mutual recognition in all jurisdictions Public registers to include prohibition orders

Disciplinary and enforcement powers

Next steps

Feedback on the amendments can be sent to:NRAS.Project@dhhs.vic.gov.au Or posted to: NRAS Review Implementation Project SecretariatWorkforce Regulation Health and Human Services Workforce BranchDepartment of Health and Human Services GPO Box 4057Melbourne VIC 3001By 5.00pm 22 February 2017

How to provide your feedback