Podiatry Board of Australia

For enquiries about registrations, applications or general information, please use our http://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA/Contact-Us/Make-an-Enquiry.aspxonline form or ring 1300 419 495. For complaints/notifications about a health practitioner, please use our online form or ring the number above. For media enquiries, please phone (03) 8708 9200.

AHPRA focused on information flow  - 15 Jul 2010

AHPRA’s focus continues to be on boosting our enquiry response capacity and bedding down our IT systems. By early next week, we will have doubled the number of enquiries staff whose sole priority is to respond effectively to enquiries, in a timely way.  To improve information flow, the AHPRA and National Board websites are being updated daily with new information.
AHPRA is fast tracking the publication of additional forms. New registration forms are being uploaded progressively on Board websites, which aims to meet the most urgent needs for practitioner registration. Finalising production of the remaining forms is an ongoing priority.
New pathways for receiving notifications/complaints about health practitioners have been introduced. Anyone with concerns about a health practitioner now has three options:
1. complete a web-form online;
2. download a notification form and send it to AHPRA; or
3. telephone the AHPRA office in their State or Territory.
The contact points are routed directly to notifications teams in each AHPRA state office.
DVA Practice Managers’ Circular (attached)
This is an electronic circular distributed twice a year to practice managers. The circular contains information that will assist practice managers to interact with the veteran community, and advice regarding DVA administrative processes. Available from the DVA website  http://www.dva.gov.au/service_providers/Pages/PracticeManagersCirclar.as

NATIONAL CPD GUIDELINES – OUT NOW

The Podiatry Board of Australia released this week the Continuing Professional Development Guidelines (doc. Attached) which come into effect 1st July 2010.  Podiatrists are required to complete 20 hours per annum of CPD plus hold a current CPR certificate that includes the management of anaphylaxis and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator.  Podiatrists with prescribing rights are required to complete an additional 10 hours of CPD per annum and podiatric surgeons are required to complete the standard 20 hrs, plus the 10 for prescribing plus another 20 hours related specifically to podiatric surgery, a total of 50 hours per annum.

WEBSITE UPDATES

It appears AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and the Podiatry Board of Australia have new look websites containing excellent resources.

To access the websites visit  AHPRA:  http://www.ahpra.gov.au/  (a link to the Podiatry Board of Australia is on this site)

POD IN HEALTH TRAINING

visit us at www.podtraining.com.au  Funding assistance for SA employers is available (deadline 9th July) for podiatry assistant training (the full Allied Health Assistant Certificate IV qualification).  Don't miss out...  Great opportunity to train your staff at no cost. Visit our website for more information.

ATTENTION ALL PODIATRISTS

THE NEW NATIONAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER REGULATION LAW which starts 1st July 2010 EFFECTS YOU

Podiatrists nationally are about to transition into the new national health legislation (Health Practitioner Regulation Law) which means new rules and regulations that govern your registration requirements and standards in clinical practice.  For details on the 6 Registration Standards and the 5 Clinical Practice Guidelines  (briefly described below) refer to the Podiatry Board of Australia’s website http://www.podiatryboard.gov.au/index.php

ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS (Podiatrists and support staff)

Not only are podiatrists coming to terms with new national health law, but there is also a new National Workplace Relations System which has been going through various transition stages over the last 18 months. 

As from 1st January 2010 the introduction of Modern Awards took place with the commencement of Award Conditions titled National Employment Standards being applied to all industries and professions.  The conditions include Maximum weekly hours of work (38), flexible working arrangements, parental leave and related entitlements, annual leave, personal / carer’s leave and compassionate leave, community service leave, public holidays, notice of termination and redundancy pay, and the provision of a Fair Work Information Statement. For further information and details visit the website: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/Pay-leave-and-conditions/Conditions-of-employment/Pages/Fair-Work-Information-Statement.aspx

As from 1st July 2010 the Modern Award Pay structure commences. (phase 1 were the conditions, phase 2 is the rate of pay).  For podiatrists working in the public sector in SA you are covered under the new Public Sector EB Agreement, for private practitioners and their administration and assistant staff you now have a national Award to refer to Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010.  The Association will be meeting with a HR consultant from the Business Enterprise Centre for more information on what steps you need to put in place to ensure you are meeting the IR requirements.  For a copy of the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 enter the title in your search engine directory, the pdf link will appear.