Page 3600 - Week 12 - Thursday, 13 October 1994
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The Podiatrists Bill 1994 provides for the establishment of a regulatory body which will be known as the Podiatrists Board. The board will comprise a chairperson, three other members from the profession and one community representative. The chairperson and all members will be appointed by the Minister in accordance with the provisions of the Health Professions Boards (Procedures) Act 1981. The Bill also allows for the development of an associated registration system which will require the board to keep a register of podiatrists. This register may be kept electronically. There are provisions for alterations to be made to the register from time to time. These provisions allow for the amendment of incorrect particulars, for the addition of new or other relevant information, or the alteration of particulars regarding registration status following any disciplinary action.
The Bill introduces nationally agreed uniform educational standards for full or unconditional registration. It also details the necessary administrative arrangements for registering podiatrists. In order to be eligible for unconditional registration, persons must be graduates of a course of education and training in podiatry from an Australian institution which is accredited by the board or approved by a registration authority of a State or another Territory. A person is also entitled to unconditional registration if they fulfil the following requirements: They are a graduate of a course of education or training in podiatry in a place outside Australia which is substantially equivalent to an Australian course and which entitles the person to practise as a podiatrist in that place; they have passed such examinations as the board requires; and they have undertaken further education or training or gained experience in the practice of podiatry for a period specified by the board but not exceeding 12 months.
Registration with conditions may be granted at the discretion of the board in certain circumstances. Under these provisions the board may impose such conditions as it considers necessary to limit the person's ability to practise in a way the board considers is safe or appropriate for that person, or for protection of the public. The registration arrangements will distinguish initial registration protocols from subsequent streamlined mutual recognition procedures. A personal appearance before the board, or a person nominated by the board, may be required for the purposes of obtaining initial registration only. Initial registration means that the person is not registered with a registration authority in another State or Territory when seeking registration in this Territory. The Bill also makes provisions to ensure that, where a person's registration is subject to any condition or restriction in another jurisdiction, that person's registration here will be similarly affected.
The Bill provides for disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed by the Podiatrists Board on a person's registration. These powers are consistent with those of other health professional registration boards. The board has the power to impose any of those sanctions either singularly or in combination in relation to impairment or disciplinary matters. Again, in the interests of consistency with other health professions registration legislation, the Bill requires that the Podiatrists Board hold an inquiry before cancelling or suspending a person's registration or before imposing any sanctions on a person's registration. The board is also required to notify the person of any decision of the board on matters relating to registration or disciplinary action and to advise the person of a right of appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of those decisions.
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