The Code of Conduct applies to a health practitioner who is not a registered health practitioner and to a registered health practitioner who provides health services unrelated to their registration.
Non-registered health practitioners:
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must provide health services in a safe and ethical manner including within accepted professional standards and within their experience, training and qualifications
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if diagnosed with an infectious medical condition, must ensure they practise in a manner that does not put clients at risk
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must not make claims to cure cancer or other terminal or incurable illnesses
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must adopt standard precautions for infection control
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must not dissuade clients from seeking or continuing with treatment by a registered medical practitioner and must accept the rights of their clients to make informed choices in relation to their health care
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must not practise under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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must not practise with certain physical or mental conditions
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must not financially exploit clients and must not accept or offer certain financial inducements or gifts
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are required to have an adequate clinical basis for treatments
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must not misinform their clients about themselves or their practice
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must not engage in a sexual or close relationship with a client
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must keep appropriate records
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must keep appropriate insurance
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must create appropriate policies and procedures to ensure client confidentiality and privacy and comply with them
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must display code and other information (with some exceptions)
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If you are concerned about the health service that was provided to you or another person, talk to the practitioner immediately. In most cases the practitioner will try to resolve them.
If you are not satisfied with the practitioner’s response, contact the Enquiry Service of the Health Care Complaints Commission toll free on 1800 043 159 for a con dential discussion about the issues and how the Commission may be able to assist.
If your complaint is about sexual or physical assault or relates to the immediate health or safety of a person, you should contact emergency services andtheCommissionimmediately.
About the Health Care ComplaintsCommission
The Health Care Complaints Commission is an independent body that acts to protect public health and safety by resolving, investigating and prosecuting complaints about health care. The Commission’s overarching aim is to protecting the health and safety of individuals and the community.
Service in other languages
The Commission uses interpreting services to assist people whose first language is not English. If you need an interpreter, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TISNational)on131450
and ask to be connected to the Health CareComplaintsCommissionon1800 043 159 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday).
More information
For more information about the Health Care Complaints Commission, please visit the website www.hccc.nsw.gov.au.
Contact the Health Care Complaints Commission
To make a complaint, visit www.hccc. nsw.gov.au and select ‘make a complaint’.
For any questions or to seek more information, our enquiry service can be contacted on:
• (02) 9219 7444, select option 1
• TollFreeinNSW:1800043159, select option 1
• TTY(02)92197555 • by email to
hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au. Postal address:
PO Box K549
Haymarket NSW 1240