Four of the country’s biggest health practitioner regulators have issued a joint position statement. That’s a first.
For what the participants say is the first time ever, Australia’s health practitioner regulators have banded together to issue a joint statement advocating against family violence.
The statement reminded practitioners of the “critical contribution” they could make to tackling family violence.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, the Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman, the NSW Health Professional Councils Authority and the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission said the statement was “recognition of the role of regulators in the collective effort to end family violence by supporting victim-survivors, setting clear expectations of health practitioners, taking regulatory action as appropriate and condemning all forms of family violence”.
“Family violence is unacceptable,” said the statement.
“Health practitioners are often the first point of contact for victim-survivors, so play an essential role in the early detection, support, referral, and delivery of specialised treatment to those experiencing family violence.
“Health practitioners are also reminded that their own conduct, as well as that of their colleagues, must reflect the trust and confidence the public have in them for safe and effective healthcare.
“Regulators work to ensure health practitioners are safe, ethical, and professional for the protection of the public.”
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Family violence could also be a serious crime and a violation of human rights, said the statement.
Health practitioners who are perpetrators of family violence could face suspension, cancellation, the imposition of conditions, or refusal of registration.
“As regulators we are committed to minimising the risk of adding to victim-survivors’ trauma or exposing them to further risk of harm,” said the joint statement.
“We seek to respond to victim-survivors’ complaints about health practitioners in a trauma-informed way.
“This means prioritising the safety and dignity of victim-survivors and respectfully and sensitively supporting them through the health complaint management process.
“We encourage any person aware of a health practitioner perpetrating family violence to provide information to the police and appropriate regulatory body.”
The full joint position statement can be read here.
