Massage & Myotherapy Australia welcomes the recent announcement by Guy Barnett, Attorney-General Tasmania, opening public consultation on the introduction of the National Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Workers in Tasmania.
Ann Davey CEO Massage & Myotherapy Australia said, 'The National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers (the Code), will bring Tasmania in-line with nearly all other states of Australia and be a welcome development for professional qualified massage therapists and myotherapists (professional massage therapists).
'Legislative support for the Code in Tasmania will help to ensure that consumers have access to a legally enforceable complaints forum, if expected standards of conduct and practice are not met by an unregistered health care worker who provides a health service.
'While the professional massage sector is generally a well self-regulated sector of healthcare, with statistically low incidents of predatory behaviour compared to other health professions, inconsistent or a lack of legislation in the states that have not adopted the Code, has limited information sharing powers and enforceability between judication, Mrs Davey said.
When the National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers is fully implemented in Tasmania, it will enable Tasmania's Health Complaints Commissioner to prosecute prohibition orders and other punitive action, including the sharing of information between other state-based health complaints commissioners and health ombudsmen. This will help to prevent convicted offenders from operating in Tasmania or in other states.
As a self-regulated sector of healthcare, the professional massage sector already has strict codes of behaviour and requirements to become a member of an accredited association, which mirror the requirements of AHPRA for registered health professionals.
Professional massage therapists must adhere to a Professional Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice which are similar to AHPRA-registered health practitioners' Codes and Guidelines. Additionally, Complaints and concerns can be raised about AHPRA-registered practitioners, as they can be about professional massage therapists through an independent National Ethics Committee.
Like registered health practitioners, membership arrangements operated by various professional Associations include the following requirements:
- set qualification and probity standards for membership
- accredited training programs for membership purposes
- undergo Recency of Practice continuing professional development/education requirements
- hold current Senior/Level 2 First Aid Qualifications
- hold current Malpractice, Public Liability Insurance (minimum $2,000,000)
- a Criminal History Check and Working with Children/Vulnerable Persons Check in some cases
- English language skills
- code of ethics that sanctions members for unprofessional conduct, including withdrawal of membership in serious matters
- third party complaint resolution involving a code of ethics that members must subscribe to
- a statutory declaration, indicating that they have not been charged with or convicted of an offence of harm to a person nor been subject to disciplinary proceedings with a Private Health Fund.
Also, like registered health practitioners, professional massage therapists must also comply with the requirements of Health Insurance Funds to achieve accreditation as an Approved Provider.
'For Tasmainians, the National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers will provide another layer of regulation and protection,' Mrs Davey said.
Significant change in the professional development of massage therapists (remedial massage therapists and myotherapists) has occurred during the past 20 years. In parallel, the integration of qualified professional massage therapists into primary health care has also occurred.
The Associations' 2023 Practitioners' Survey of its 8600 members indicated that this involves various health, occupational health and safety, and motor accident insurance schemes; the inclusion of qualified massage therapists in GP Health Plans, and a growing number of referrals to professional massage therapists from Registered Health Practitioners such as GPs and Allied Health professionals; and those who choose to self-fund massage therapy because they feel it is best suited to their health needs'
'It is important that consumer protections and government legislation and policy keep pace with industry development, if health consumers are to have access to, and receive the best of health care and protection available.
'Implementation of the National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers in Tasmania will be a step in the right direction, Mrs Davey said.
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Key Facts:
Legislative support for the National Code of Conduct for Health Workers in Tasmania will help to ensure that consumers have access to a legally enforceable complaints forum,
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