Summary:
General Code of Conduct:
https://hcc.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/media-document/general_code_of_conduct_-_a3_4.pdf
You should expect safe and ethical healthcare from every health service you use. That’s why there is a Code of Conduct for all health services not regulated by the Aust. Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA). This Code (Schedule 2, Health Complaints Act 2017) sets the minimum legal standards that all general health service providers in Victoria must comply with eg. services like Alexander technique, aromatherapy, audiology, Ayurveda, Bowen therapy, counselling, doulas, exercise physiology, fitness training, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hypnotism, kinesiology, massage, meditation teaching, myotherapy, music & art therapy, naturopathy, nutrition, orthoptics, orthotics, Pilates, prosthetics, qi gong, reflexology, reiki, social work, speech therapy, tai chi, yoga & others. Also applies to AHPRA practitioners working “out of scope” (eg doctors) & their reception\admin staff.
A Summary of the Code of Conduct
Under this Code of Conduct, all general health service providers:
MUST
✔Provide safe & ethical healthcare
✔Obtain consent for treatment
✔Take care to protect you from infection
✔Minimise harm & act appropriately if something goes wrong
✔Report concerns about other practitioners
✔Keep appropriate records & comply with privacy laws
✔Be covered by insurance
✔Display information about:
➢(a) the Code of Conduct, and
➢(b) making a complaint
MUST NOT
✗Mislead you about their products, services or qualifications
✗Put you at risk due to their own physical or mental health problems
✗Practice under the influence of drugs or alcohol
✗Make false claims about curing serious illnesses such as cancer
✗Exploit you financially
✗Have an inappropriate relationship with you
✗Discourage you from seeking other health care or refuse to cooperate with other practitioners if you do.
How to raise an issue
If you think your health service provider has breached these standards please contact them so they can try to resolve the issue. If it is not reasonable or appropriate to contact them, or if you are not satisfied with their response, contact the Vict. Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) on 1300 582 113, or via the online complaint form at hcc.vic.gov.au. The HCC is an independent and impartial agency that resolves complaints about health services and the handling of health information in Victoria. It can also investigate and warn the public about dangerous health service providers.
For the full Code of Conduct or more information visit hcc.vic.gov.au or call 1300 582 113 between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
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OTE: This information is drawn from https://hcc.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/media-document/general_code_of_conduct_a4_2.pdf. Italicised categories of health services are from the Better Health Channel (BHC) website, part of the Vict.Government.
Prepared by:
Owen Bruhn www.stillnessmeditationtouchtherapy.com.au 03/26