Guest guest Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Unregistered health practitioners code of conduct for NSW Thursday, January 10, 2008 YOU might recommend them or consider burning at the stake too good for others – either way, unregistered alternative therapists are doing big business in Australia. Now New South Wales is bringing in a code of conduct aiming to prevent those with perhaps not even a weekend workshop certificate to their name from putting vulnerable clients at risk. " Unregistered health practitioner " is a term that covers health care providers such as counsellors, psychotherapists, massage therapists, naturopaths and herbalists, as well as Reiki therapists and homeopaths. All of whom will be subject to the new tighter controls in the NSW move. " The overwhelming majority of unregistered health practitioners are honest, competent and caring, " said Health Minister Reba Meagher last week, when the draft code of conduct was released for consultation. The Health Care Complaints Commission will get greater powers over unregistered individuals claiming to cure cancer or advocating patients stop conventional treatment. Financial exploitation or the alleged diagnosis of conditions by people who do not possess a clinical background will also put practitioners at odds with the new code. " The code of conduct will also provide unregistered practitioners with a clear statement of the standards of conduct the community expects them to meet, " said Meagher. Several high profile tragedies have prompted the action including the death of 9-month-old Gloria , who died in May 2002 of sepsis at Sydney Children's Hospital. The baby had been treated for severe eczema by her father and an uncle with homeopathic and naturopathic treatments. Gloria's parents failed to keep appointments with a dermatologist made for their baby by concerned child health nurses, alarmed by Gloria's skin condition and weight loss. The NSW coroner has since recommended charges should be laid against both parents. As part of the legislative implementation process, Meagher is required to make the draft code of conduct, together with a related impact assessment statement, available to the public for at least 21 days. Submissions on the content of the draft code of conduct are invited and will be accepted until 5.00pm on Friday, February 29, 2008. For further information visit http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2008/pdf/Unreg_practise_impct.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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