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15 Aug 2019
Older Australians will be better protected as the result of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission).
The MoU underpins the positive and collaborative working relationship that already exists between AHPRA and the Commission. It will ensure that information can be appropriately shared between the two agencies where there may be concerns in aged care.
It will support the Commission raising concerns about the health, performance or conduct of registered health practitioners working in aged care. In a reciprocal arrangement, AHPRA will disclose information to the Commission if it has concerns about the care and safety of someone receiving Commonwealth-funded aged care services.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM said the Commission was pleased to work with AHPRA to support the timely sharing of information and two-way communication to help both parties better fulfill their statutory mandates.
‘This is another important step for the Commission in ensuring that safe, quality aged care is provided to older Australians. The MoU will provide both clarity and a shared understanding about the ability to exchange information and the process to be followed,’ Ms Anderson said.
AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher said the MoU formalises a shared commitment to work together based on a clear understanding of complementary roles.
‘We look forward to working closely with the Commission to play our part in supporting their important work on quality and safety in aged care,’ Mr Fletcher said.
We will also work with the Commission to ensure that all aged care employers use our online national register to check that health practitioners working in aged care are appropriately registered and meet required registration standards and codes of conduct.’