AMAV VICDOC Winter 2024 - Magazine - Page 69
AHPRA — SEEKING CLARITY REGARDING
WITHDRAWN AND RESTRICTED RIGHT
TO PRACTICE
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AMA Victoria has contacted Ahpra to seek
clarity on the expectations of Ahpra and
the Medical Board in relation to medical
practitioners’ declarations and disclosure
requirements about withdrawn or
restricted right to practice.
This query arises following an Ahpra
Nursing and Midwifery Board Fact Sheet
from April 2021 which clearly articulates
that there is not a requirement for nurses
to declare in the circumstances described
and that Ahpra would not pursue for
failure for a nurse to do so unless and
until their right to practice has been
withdrawn or restricted based on their
conduct, professional performance or
health. That Fact Sheet clearly clarifies
the expectations in Ahpra’s Notice of
Certain Events document for nurses
and midwives, but AMAV is not aware of
clarity on whether this applies to medical
practitioners or whether Ahpra and the
Medical Board have the same expectations
for medical practitioners.
AMAV continues to await clarification
from Ahpra.
ENSURING INCLUSIVITY AND OPPORTUNITY
FOR TRAINEES ON PARENTAL LEAVE:
ADVOCACY REGARDING EXAMINATION SITTING
AND APPLICATIONS WHILE ON PARENTAL LEAVE
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Beginning in 2023, AMA Victoria,
spearheaded by President Dr Jill Tomlinson,
has advocated to change the policies of
certain colleges excluding trainees who are
on parental leave from applying to sit and
sitting fellowship examinations. In our view,
policy change that allows trainees who are
on parental leave to apply to sit and to sit
for fellowship examination would promote
a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and
equal opportunity.
AMAV’s efforts resulted in RANZCO
and the AOA, respectively, reversing
(RANZCO) and amending (AOA) policies
which prevented trainees to apply to sit,
and to sit examinations while on
parental leave.
Most recently, as a result of Dr
Tomlinson’s advocacy, we are delighted
to advise that the RACGP has confirmed
that they have changed their Fellowship
Examination policy so that it is in line with
AMA policy on flexible training.
More: AMAV Hub
MEDICARE BILLING FRAUD CLAIMS
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AMA Victoria is aware of the further
Medicare Billing fraud claims aired on
ABC's Four Corners program In April. Last
year an Independent Review of Medicare
Integrity and Compliance, commissioned
by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler,
found "legislation, governance, systems,
processes and tools are currently not fit for
purpose and, without significant attention,
will result in significant levels of fraud."
The Medicare Integrity Report was authored
by Dr Pradeep Philip, who attended our
March 2024 Council meeting as part of
AMA Victoria's ongoing work to address
systems problems in Victoria related
to Medicare Billing compliance systems
problems including duplicate payments
and rejection of unnamed GP referrals.
More: AMAV Hub
VI CD O C WI NTER 2024
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