Consultation on National Registration of Paramedics and amendments

Consultation on National Registration of Paramedics and amendments to the National Law February 2017

Welcome � We pay our respects to the traditional owners � National Paramedic Stakeholder Reference Group plus some new faces � Housekeeping

National Law amendment: a national exercise Ø Policy development: Ø Victorian Department of Health & Human Services Ø Anne Louise Carlton Ø Meredith Carter Ø Vivienne Hadj and Kym Daly Ø Legislation Ø Queensland Department of Health: James Liddy Ø Administration Ø Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Andrea Oliver Ø NSW Ministry of Health: Robin Flynn

Today’s agenda � Background to the National Law amendments � Consultation purpose and process � Overview of key reforms - paramedics � Overview of general reforms to the National Law � Next steps

Background � 2010 National Registration and Accreditation Scheme established � 2012 -14 National Consultation re paramedics � 2014 - 2015 Independent Review National Scheme and Ministers’ Response � November 2015 Ministers agree to paramedics in National Scheme on ‘opt in’ basis � October 2016 All Ministers agree to proceed � 2017 Development of National Law amendments : Stage 1

Consultation purpose and process � To inform finalisation of Bill implementing Stage 1 reforms for Health Ministers’ approval ◦ Confidential consultation draft Bill – to be returned at close of forums ◦ Summary of the draft Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Amendment 2017– for public release ◦ Frequently asked questions (FAQs) – for public release � Written feedback to cob 22 February � Stage 2 to commence later in 2017

Where we are up to now: paramedics � Phase 1: Dec 2015 - April 2016 � Phase 2: April - October 2016 � Phase 3: 2016 – 2017 � Phase 4: 2017 – 2018 ØAgree scope ØSettle policy parameters ØDraft amendments to National Law. ØQld passes National Law. WA, SA ØAHPRA to establish administrative arrangements ØRegistration commences late 2018

Overview of key reforms – Paramedics � Paramedicine added to the definition of ‘health profession’ in the National Law � ‘Paramedic’ � New becomes a protected title Part 13 includes ‘participation day’ – this is the date registration commences

Paramedicine Board of Australia � New s 307 and s 308 establish the Paramedicine Board of Australia � The Board has: ◦ limited functions until the participation day s 308(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 day ◦ Schedule 4 National Law deals with recruitment of a Board

Developing standards � 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 s 38 National Law: � eg Continuing professional development, criminal history, English language skills, recency of practice and professional indemnity insurance, for recommendation to Ministers; and ◦ Codes and guidelines under s 39

Accreditation � The Board’s powers include determining whether to engage an external accreditation body or establish a committee (new s 308(d)) and � approving 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.

Registration � 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 s 53 to be granted general registration � In addition some qualifications accepted for general registration are specified in s. 311 � All applicants must meet all the other registration standards determined by the Board (s 38 National Law)

Protections for applicants � New s 312 - 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, and � Under new s. 314, a 90 day period of grace applies if an application is late. � New s 315 - mechanism allowing paramedics to work or volunteer across borders if any jurisdiction is delayed in joining the Scheme.

General reforms: Stage 1 � Improvements in governance arrangements ◦ A 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 professions Governance continues with one Board ◦ Can continue to hold dual registration ◦

Stronger notifications management � Improved communication with notifiers was a key recommendation of Independent Review � National 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

Disciplinary and enforcement powers � Powers to obtain broad practice information � Broader grounds for immediate action against practitioner or student ◦ Current test: serious risk to persons ◦ New ground added: public interest (as in NSW) � Prohibition ◦ ◦ orders Can prohibit provision of any health service Offences: breach $30, 000; $5, 000 failure to inform patients/employers (Similar to NSW) Mutual recognition in all jurisdictions Public registers to include prohibition orders

Next steps Health Ministers Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council Health Workforce Principal Committee NRAS Review Implementation Governance Committee Legislation Committee Victorian Department of Health & Human Services Project Team

How to provide your feedback � Feedback on the amendments can be sent to: � NRAS. Project@dhhs. vic. gov. au � Or posted to: NRAS Review Implementation Project Secretariat Workforce Regulation Health and Human Services Workforce Branch Department of Health and Human Services GPO Box 4057 Melbourne VIC 3001 � By 5. 00 pm 22 February 2017