August 2024

Issue 35 – August 2024

From the Chair
Priority news
- Applying for endorsement for scheduled medicines
Board news
Registration news
- Latest workforce data released
What’s new?
Want more information?

From the Chair

Photo of Cylie Williams

The Podiatry Board of Australia and Ahpra will progressively implement the recommendations from the final report of the independent review of the regulation of podiatric surgeons in Australia. Any proposed changes to how we regulate podiatric surgeons will be consulted on publicly and you will have an opportunity to provide feedback on our proposals. Consultation on the recommendations relating to a change of the protected specialist title and the development of a professional performance framework for podiatric surgeons will begin in the coming months. We’ll let you know when these consultations open.

As the way we practise continues to evolve, Ahpra and the National Boards have released information on virtual care for practitioners, employers and the public. These are useful resources that rely on our profession’s codes and guidelines to support safe and effective care, whether it be in-person or virtually.

Cylie Williams
Chair, Podiatry Board of Australia

Priority news

Applying for endorsement for scheduled medicines

Have you been working towards applying for endorsement for scheduled medicines? There are two possible pathways set out in the registration standard that lead to endorsement.

Pathway A

There is now an undergraduate podiatry program approved by the Board that provides a qualification endorsement for scheduled medicines under Pathway A of the Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines. From December 2023, graduates from the program can apply for general registration as a podiatrist and endorsement for scheduled medicines at the same time. However, it is important to note that this involves two separate applications – one for registration and one for endorsement. Both forms are published on the Forms page of the Board’s website.

For those graduates who would prefer not to apply for endorsement under Pathway A at the same time as applying for general registration, the Recency of practice registration standard will apply to your application for endorsement if it is submitted more than 12 months after graduating from the approved Pathway A program.

Pathway B

For those of you who have started Pathway B, a reminder that you must complete at least 150 hours of supervised practice in a 12-month period. The minimum 150 hours encompasses the observational sessions with experienced health practitioners who can prescribe scheduled medicines, reflective practice and meetings with your mentor, and the development of your portfolio of evidence.

The requirement for the minimum 150 hours to be completed within 12 months provides flexibility for practitioners and accommodates those who are able to complete the minimum 150 hours sooner, as well as those who may need the full 12 months. If you are unable to complete it within the 12 months, we may grant an extension of time in exceptional circumstances. The Board’s policy on when an extension may be granted is published on the Endorsement for scheduled medicines page and an application form for an extension to the period of supervised practice is available on the Forms page of our website.

Board news

Are you on track with your CPD?

Continuing professional development (CPD) is an important part of providing safe and effective podiatry services. It is how podiatrists and podiatric surgeons maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and competence, and develop the personal and professional qualities required throughout their professional lives.

As we approach our next renewal period we remind you to complete your CPD before you renew your registration. We also encourage you to use the podiatry professional capabilities to reflect on your practice and plan your professional development activities for the coming year.

Access the Board’s CPD learning plan on our website to help you plan and track your CPD for this renewal period.

Good virtual care practices

Over 25 per cent of Australians have had at least one telehealth consultation for their own health in the last 12 months, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Ahpra and the National Boards have published virtual care information for health practitioners, the public and employers about accessing and providing safe and effective virtual care.

Practitioners and consumers are increasingly choosing virtual care alternatives as we continue to see growth in the adoption of technology, online prescribing and the use of health ‘apps’. What was once seen as a temporary approach to enable healthcare in a global pandemic is now widely accepted as just another way to see your practitioner.

These documents replace the previous Telehealth guidance for practitioners which was developed to address the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

This information is not new and relies on the existing principles within the National Boards’ regulatory framework, such as codes of conduct and other relevant standards and guidelines. It has been developed as a helpful resource for healthcare providers and consumers to understand what good virtual care should look like.

Applying your code of conduct to evolving technologies – AI in healthcare

Are you using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your practice?

AI is rapidly becoming integrated into everyday healthcare and has the potential to transform and support new and innovative ways of working. So how do you ensure when using these new technologies that you maintain the continued high standard of care expected by your patients and clients?

Ahpra and National Boards support the safe use of AI in healthcare, recognising the significant potential to improve health outcomes and create a more person-centred health system.

While the potential of AI to improve diagnostics and disease detection has been reported for some time, recent commentary has focused on the benefits for health practitioners for improved care and patient satisfaction, including reducing administrative burdens and health practitioner burnout.

As new tools emerge, so do the unique practical and ethical issues associated with its use in a healthcare setting. Ahpra and the National Boards have developed principles for practitioners to consider when using or looking to integrate AI into their practice. These principles translate existing obligations in practitioner codes of conduct and remind practitioners to consider these responsibilities when assessing the appropriate use of AI.

Specific professional obligations to consider include accountability, an appropriate understanding of the tool, transparency of its use, informed consent, and ethical and legal issues. Read Meeting your professional obligations when using AI in healthcare and its supporting case studies on the Ahpra website to learn more about what safe and effective use of AI should look like.

Registration news

Latest workforce data released

The Board’s latest quarterly registration data report covers the period to 30 June 2024. At this date there were 6,135 registered podiatric practitioners, including 5,926 with general registration, 42 with both general and specialist registration, and 167 with non-practising registration.

There were 40 practitioners who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or 0.7 per cent of the profession.

There were 260 practitioners with endorsement for scheduled medicines.

For further data breakdowns by age, gender and principal place of practice, visit the Board’s Statistics page to read the report.

What’s new?

Greater protection for the public under National Law changes

The recent series of amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law are now complete, with a final suite of changes being introduced from 1 July.

A key update for practitioners is that you can now nominate an alternative name to go on the public register, alongside your legal name.

Some health practitioners may practise under an alternative name, such as a traditional name or an anglicised or shortened name.

Having both your legal name and your alternative name appear on the public register will make it easier for the public to search the register and make informed decisions about their care.

You can find out more information about alternative names and how to nominate on the Ahpra website.

Other changes to the National Law from 1 July include:

allowing National Boards and Ahpra to issue interim prohibition orders to unregistered persons in certain circumstances where the person poses a serious risk to others
establishing the process regarding renewal of a practitioner’s registration after a period of suspension
empowering the National Boards to include previously excluded information in the National Register if there is a reasonable belief the circumstances have changed
enabling the Ministerial Council to delegate its power to approve registration standards to an appropriate entity.

Australia’s health system, as well as the reasons and ways people access it, has changed dramatically over the 15 years.

These reforms allow the regulation scheme to evolve with it, strengthening Ahpra and National Boards’ ability to protect the public and support practitioners.

More information about the changes, as well as future areas of focus and ways to provide feedback can be found on Ahpra's website.

Myths and misconceptions about notifications – getting the help you need

Too often, practitioners struggle in silence when they are dealing with a health, mental health or drug and alcohol issue – or even just the day-to-day challenges of being a health practitioner.

The best thing you can do – for yourself, for your family, and for your patients – is to seek help early and to actively engage in recommended treatments.

There is a common misconception that if you seek help, your treating practitioner will automatically be required to report you to Ahpra and your registration may be affected.

The threshold for when treating practitioners need to make a mandatory notification about health is only met when the public is at substantial risk of harm. The need for a mandatory notification to be made is not often met.

If you are managing your health and getting the help you need, you can usually continue to practise. The Board wants you to be healthy and safe to practise and encourages you to seek help early when you need support.

Improving experiences when navigating a health complaint

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission), Ahpra and the National Boards have worked on a joint project to explore opportunities to improve the consumer experience of making a health complaint in Australia.

Both organisations wanted to get a better understanding of the barriers that consumers face when making a healthcare complaint and to discover what they can do to support consumers.

The final report has now been published along with supporting resources for practitioners and the public about navigating healthcare complaints. The project found that the complexity of the complaints system places a huge weight of responsibility on consumers to understand how it works. Consumers are also experiencing barriers, whether social, economic or cultural, that are affecting their ability to make a complaint and want a system that is focused on their needs rather than administrative processes.

What we’ve done

To improve experiences for those going through a complaint process, the Commission and Ahpra have:

updated our websites to clarify the process of making a complaint
developed three animations to give clear information to the public about how and where to make a health complaint
developed a ‘Tips for consumers when making a complaint’ webpage and fact sheet
developed Healthcare complaints - where to make a complaint (downloadable fact sheet) , and
created a complaints checklist for practitioners to help effectively handle feedback and complaints from their patients or clients.

We will continue to make improvements to our websites and consumer resources. In some states and territories, work is being explored to develop a targeted local resource about complaints options.

Review to ease the complexity of health regulation

You may have heard there is a review underway to examine the complexity of the National Scheme.

The Review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the Dawson Review) began in May 2024, and is led by the former NSW Health Care Complaints Commissioner Sue Dawson.

The independent review aims to identify areas of the National Scheme that are unnecessarily complex and recommend changes that will improve regulatory outcomes for health practitioners and the community.

Six terms of reference outline the scope of the review. These will consider:

how to streamline and harmonise decision-making to improve consistency in regulation
how to make complaints management more consumer-driven, consistent, accessible and efficient
how to make tribunal decision-making more consistent
stewardship of the National Scheme
how to manage new professions entering the National Scheme, and
the powers ministers have to direct entities exercising accreditation functions.

The National Scheme has been reviewed many times. Why conduct another review?

While the National Scheme overwhelmingly fulfils its paramount objective of public protection, there are opportunities to simplify complaints processes and improve fairness, consistency and the experiences of consumers and practitioners.

This review will help the National Scheme meet the expectations of notifiers, practitioners and the community.

Have your say

Ms Dawson will consult with governments, regulators, health professions, peak bodies and consumers at a later stage of the review.

Stay up to date with the review webpage for information on stakeholder consultation and how to participate when it becomes available.

The review is expected to be completed by April 2025.

Want more information?

Visit www.podiatryboard.gov.au for the mandatory registration standards, codes, guidelines and FAQs. Visiting the website regularly is the best way to stay in touch with news and updates from the Board.
Lodge an enquiry form via the website by following the Enquiries link on every web page under Contact us.
For registration enquiries, call 1300 419 495 (from within Australia) or +61 3 9125 3010 (for overseas callers).
To update your contact details for important registration renewal emails and other Board updates, go to the Ahpra website: Update contact details.
Address mail correspondence to A/Prof. Cylie Williams, Chair, Podiatry Board of Australia, GPO Box 9958, Melbourne VIC 3001.