ACT Annual Report Summary 2015/16

Part 2: The National Scheme at work in the ACT

ACT: data snapshot

Five insights for 2015/16

  • As at 30 June 2016, there were 11,362 registered health practitioners with a principal place of practice in the ACT.
  • The ACT is the principal place of practice for 2.9% of all registered midwives in Australia.
  • 1,134 new applications were received for registration in the ACT, an increase of 20.5% from the previous year.
  • Complaints about practitioners in the ACT increased by 15.7% year on year, to 206 new notifications received.
  • Of the 1,348 new statutory offence complaints received nationally, 20 were made about practitioners in the ACT.

Background

Data in the ACT jurisdiction summary are drawn from the 2015/16 annual report published by AHPRA and the National Boards. ACT data have been extracted from national source data to highlight the work we’ve undertaken over the past year to keep the public safe. All data were correct as at 30 June 2016.

Throughout, national figures are also provided to show how the ACT compares with the national average. Where possible, we have included the previous year’s data for comparison.

In the following pages, you’ll find registration data, such as the number of practitioners in each profession whose principal place of practice (PPP) is the ACT, including a breakdown by registration type, registration division (for professions with divisions), information about specialties (for dental, medical and podiatry practitioners), and endorsements or notations held. A gender breakdown of practitioners by profession is also included.

Notifications data1 (about complaints lodged) are also included, with details of notifications received and closed during the year, as well as those that remained open at the end of the reporting year. Details of mandatory reports received and immediate actions taken are included, as well as information on the rate of notifications and mandatory notifications in the jurisdiction.

Information on statutory offence matters, tribunal and panel hearings, active monitoring cases and criminal history checks is also included.

To view the 2015/16 annual report in full, along with national, profession-specific data and other state and territories’ data, visit www.ahpra.gov.au/ annualreport/2016.

In early 2017, each of the 14 National Boards will publish a summary report outlining their profession’s performance in 2015/16.

Registration in the ACT

Tables 1–8 provide details of registered health practitioners with a principal place of practice in the ACT. At 30 June 2016, the number of registered health practitioners in the ACT was 11,362, an increase of 384 (3.5%) from 2014/15. This jurisdiction represents 1.7% of all registered health practitioners in Australia.

At a profession level, ACT practitioners account for 2.9% of registered midwives nationally (the largest groups of registrants) to 0.7% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitoners nationally.

Data also showed that in 2015/16 the ACT had:

  • 1.9% of registered health practitioners with a recognised specialty nationally, and
  • 2.1% of health practitioners with a recognised endorsement or notation nationally, which permits an expanded scope of practice within their profession.

In 2015/16, applications received for registration in the ACT increased by 20.5%, with 1,134 new applications. This equates to 1.7% of new applications received nationally during the year. Details of new registration applications received, with a breakdown of profession and registration type, are provided in Table 7.

Note:

  1. In general, national data about notifications include data from the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) in NSW, except when categories used differ between NSW and the other states and territories.
Table 1: Registered practitioners with ACT as the principal place of practice, by profession1
ProfessionACTNational total4% of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner45870.7%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner664,7621.4%
Chiropractor675,1671.3%
Dental Practitioner40221,7411.8%
Medical Practitioner2,042107,1791.9%
Medical Radiation Practitioner26415,3031.7%
Midwife1204,1222.9%
Nurse5,382346,3871.6%
Nurse and Midwife257929,6991.9%
Occupational Therapist33518,3041.8%
Optometrist755,1421.5%
Osteopath342,0941.6%
Pharmacist51629,7171.7%
Physiotherapist53928,8551.9%
Podiatry Practitioner614,6551.3%
Psychologist87633,9072.6%
Total 2015/1611,362657,6211.7%
Total 2014/1510,978637,2181.7%
Population as a proportion of national population3393,00023,940,3001.6%

Note:

  1. Data are based on registered practitioners as at 30 June 2016.
  2. Practitioners who hold dual registration as both a nurse and a midwife.
  3. Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics demographics statistics as at 30 December 2015.
  4. National total also includes registrants who have no specified principal place of practice.
Table 2: Registered practitioners with ACT as the principal place of practice, by registration type
Profession/registration typeACTNational total% of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Total45870.7%
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner General45850.7%
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Non-practising020.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Total664,7621.4%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner General644,5351.4%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Non-practising22270.9%
Chiropractor Total675,1671.3%
Chiropractor General644,8751.3%
Chiropractor Non-practising32921.0%
Dental Practitioner Total40221,7411.8%
Dental Practitioner General35719,4581.8%
Dental Practitioner General and Non-practising1 010.0%
Dental Practitioner General and Specialist381,6322.3%
Dental Practitioner Limited1741.4%
Dental Practitioner Non-practising55460.9%
Dental Practitioner Specialist1303.3%
Medical Practitioner Total2,042107,1791.9%
Medical Practitioner General76436,9532.1%
Medical Practitioner General (Teaching and Assessing)0360.0%
Medical Practitioner General (Teaching and Assessing) and Specialist020.0%
Medical Practitioner General and Specialist92350,6221.8%
Medical Practitioner Limited402,7051.5%
Medical Practitioner Non-practising322,6551.2%
Medical Practitioner Provisional1125,4082.1%
Medical Practitioner Specialist1718,7981.9%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Total26415,3031.7%
Medical Radiation Practitioner General24814,5411.7%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Limited060.0%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Non-practising52342.1%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Provisional115222.1%
Midwife Total1204,1222.9%
Midwife General1204,0503.0%
Midwife Non-practising0720.0%
Nurse Total5,382346,3871.6%
Nurse General5,293341,0711.6%
Nurse General and Non-practising10250.0%
Nurse Non-practising885,1611.7%
Nurse Provisional11300.8%
Nurse and Midwife Total57929,6991.9%
Nurse and Midwife General53627,6801.9%
Nurse and Midwife General and Non-practising2271,3372.0%
Nurse and Midwife General and Provisional060.0%
Nurse and Midwife Non-practising166712.4%
Nurse and Midwife Provisional050.0%
Nurse and Midwife Occupational Therapist33518,3041.8%
Nurse and Midwife General32517,5521.9%
Nurse and Midwife Limited2692.9%
Nurse and Midwife Non-practising56430.8%
Nurse and Midwife Provisional3407.5%
Optometrist Total755,1421.5%
Optometrist General744,9771.5%
Optometrist Limited050.0%
Optometrist Non-practising11600.6%
Optometrist Osteopath342,0941.6%
Optometrist General332,0201.6%
Optometrist Non-practising1661.5%
Optometrist Provisional3080.0%
Pharmacist Total51629,7171.7%
Pharmacist General46526,9481.7%
Pharmacist Limited070.0%
Pharmacist Non-practising151,0351.4%
Pharmacist Provisional361,7272.1%
Physiotherapist Total53928,8551.9%
Physiotherapist General52827,6671.9%
Physiotherapist Limited23460.6%
Physiotherapist Non-practising98421.1%
Podiatry Practitioner Total614,6551.3%
Podiatry Practitioner General594,5241.3%
Podiatry Practitioner General and Specialist1303.3%
Podiatry Practitioner Non-practising11011.0%
Psychologist Total87633,9072.6%
Psychologist General74127,6272.7%
Psychologist Non-practising371,6582.2%
Psychologist Provisional984,6222.1%

Note:

  1. Practitioners holding general registration in one division and non-practising registration in another division.
  2. Practitioners holding general registration in one profession and non-practising registration in the other profession.
  3. The Osteopathy Board introduced a category of provisional registration in 2013/14.
Table 3: Registered practitioners who hold an endorsement or notation with ACT as the principal place of practice
Profession/endorsement or notationACTNational total% of national total
Chiropractor0320.0%
Acupuncture0320.0%
Dental Practitioner4954.2%
Area of Practice4954.2%
Medical Practitioner55730.9%
Acupuncture55730.9%
Midwife133420.9%
Eligible Midwife21911.1%
Midwife Practitioner010.0%
Scheduled Medicines22500.8%
Nurse1472,8041.7%
Eligible Midwife332891.0%
Nurse Practitioner381,4182.7%
Scheduled Medicines610970.5%
Optometrist322,3871.3%
Scheduled Medicines322,3871.3%
Osteopath020.0%
Acupuncture020.0%
Physiotherapist080.0%
Acupuncture080.0%
Podiatry Practitioner1741.4%
Scheduled Medicines1741.4%
Psychologist27811,1672.5%
Area of Practice27811,1672.5%
Total37017,4842.1%

Note:

  1. Nursing and midwifery registrants may hold dual nursing and midwifery registration and may have endorsements against each registration. Nursing and midwifery registrants may hold one or more endorsement/notation in each profession.
  2. Holds notation of Eligible Midwife.
  3. Holds dual registration as a nurse and a midwife, and holds notation of Eligible Midwife.
Table 4:Registered practitioners with ACT as the principal place of practice, by profession and gender
Profession/genderACTNational total% of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Total45870.7%
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Female24520.4%
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Male21351.5%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Total664,7621.4%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Female362,6021.4%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Male302,1601.4%
Chiropractor Total675,1671.3%
Chiropractor Female331,9891.7%
Chiropractor Male343,1781.1%
Dental Practitioner Total40221,7411.8%
Dental Practitioner Female22910,7372.1%
Dental Practitioner Male17311,0041.6%
Medical Practitioner Total2,042107,1791.9%
Medical Practitioner Female92544,4922.1%
Medical Practitioner Male1,11762,6871.8%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Total26415,3031.7%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Female17610,3691.7%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Male884,9341.8%
Midwife Total1204,1222.9%
Midwife Female1194,1072.9%
Midwife Male1156.7%
Nurse Total5,382346,3871.6%
Nurse Female4,722306,4501.5%
Nurse Male66039,9371.7%
Nurse and Midwife Total57929,6991.9%
Nurse and Midwife Female56729,1771.9%
Nurse and Midwife Male125222.3%
Occupational Therapist Total33518,3041.8%
Occupational Therapist Female29616,7491.8%
Occupational Therapist Male391,5552.5%
Optometrist Total755,1421.5%
Optometrist Female422,6581.6%
Optometrist Male332,4841.3%
Osteopath Total342,0941.6%
Osteopath Female161,1371.4%
Osteopath Male189571.9%
Pharmacist Total51629,7171.7%
Pharmacist Female33718,2431.8%
Pharmacist Male17911,4741.6%
Physiotherapist Total53928,8551.9%
Physiotherapist Female36819,6391.9%
Physiotherapist Male1719,2161.9%
Podiatry Practitioner Total614,6551.3%
Podiatry Practitioner Female332,8221.2%
Podiatry Practitioner Male281,8331.5%
Psychologist Total87633,9072.6%
Psychologist Female70526,9092.6%
Psychologist Male1716,9982.4%
Total 11,362657,6211.7%
Table 5: Registered Chinese medicine, dental and medical radiation practitioners, and nurses and midwives with ACT as the principal place of practice, by division
Profession/divisionACTNational total% of national total
Chinese Medicine Practitioner664,7621.4%
Acupuncturist251,7221.5%
Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Dispenser1020.0%
Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Dispenser and Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner177790.9%
Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner1342,1471.6%
Chinese Herbal Dispenser0450.0%
Chinese Herbal Dispenser and Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner10170.0%
Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner0500.0%
Dental Practitioner40221,7411.8%
Dental Hygienist421,4143.0%
Dental Hygienist and Dental Prosthetist1030.0%
Dental Hygienist and Dental Prosthetist and Dental Therapist1020.0%
Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist1114802.3%
Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist and Dentist020.0%
Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist010.0%
Dental Hygienist and Dentist1030.0%
Dental Hygienist and Oral Health Therapist1060.0%
Dental Prosthetist161,2501.3%
Dental Prosthetist and Dental Therapist1010.0%
Dental Prosthetist and Dentist1010.0%
Dental Therapist181,0161.8%
Dental Therapist and Dentist010.0%
Dental Therapist and Oral Health Therapist1040.0%
Dentist29416,2641.8%
Dentist and Oral Health Therapist1020.0%
Oral Health Therapist211,2911.6%
Medical Radiation Practitioner26415,3031.7%
Diagnostic Radiographer17511,8401.5%
Diagnostic Radiographer and Nuclear Medicine Technologist10140.0%
Diagnostic Radiographer and Radiation Therapist1020.0%
Nuclear Medicine Technologist251,0952.3%
Radiation Therapist642,3522.7%
Nurse5,382346,3871.6%
Enrolled Nurse (Division 2)70362,9941.1%
Enrolled Nurse (Division 2) and Registered Nurse (Division 1)1676,4651.0%
Registered Nurse (Division 1)4,612276,9281.7%
Nurse and Midwife57929,6991.9%
Enrolled Nurse and Midwife12643.1%
Enrolled Nurse and Registered Nurse and Midwife11661.5%
Registered Nurse and Midwife157629,5691.9%
Total6,693417,8921.6%

Note:

  1. Practitioners who hold dual or multiple registration.
Table 6: Health practitioners with specialties at 30 June 20161
Profession/area of specialty practiceACTNational total% of national total
Dental Practitioner391,7142.3%
Dento-maxillofacial radiology0100.0%
Endodontics71634.3%
Forensic odontology2267.7%
Oral and maxillofacial surgery42022.0%
Oral medicine0350.0%
Oral pathology0240.0%
Oral surgery0510.0%
Orthodontics116051.8%
Paediatric dentistry21301.5%
Periodontics82233.6%
Prosthodontics52132.3%
Public health dentistry (Community dentistry)0160.0%
Special needs dentistry0160.0%
Medical Practitioner1,20864,4631.9%
Addiction medicine41682.4%
Anaesthesia794,7821.7%
Dermatology65281.1%
Emergency medicine371,9041.9%
General practice42624,4711.7%
Intensive care medicine228562.6%
Paediatric intensive care medicine070.0%
No subspecialty declared228492.6%
Medical administration123313.6%
Obstetrics and gynaecology311,9321.6%
Gynaecological oncology0460.0%
Maternal-fetal medicine1402.5%
Obstetrics and gynaecological ultrasound0760.0%
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility0540.0%
Urogynaecology1313.2%
No subspecialty declared291,6851.7%
Occupational and environmental medicine153084.9%
Ophthalmology159911.5%
Paediatrics and child health392,5551.5%
Paediatric intensive care medicine060.0%
Clinical genetics0260.0%
Community child health2523.8%
General paediatrics261,8251.4%
Neonatal and perinatal medicine51742.9%
Paediatric cardiology0360.0%
Paediatric clinical pharmacology010.0%
Paediatric emergency medicine0510.0%
Paediatric endocrinology1323.1%
Paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology0240.0%
Paediatric haematology0110.0%
Paediatric immunology and allergy1205.0%
Paediatric infectious diseases0190.0%
Paediatric medical oncology0270.0%
Paediatric nephrology0110.0%
Paediatric neurology0350.0%
Paediatric palliative medicine020.0%
Paediatric rehabilitation medicine080.0%
Paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine1273.7%
Paediatric rheumatology0120.0%
No sub-specialty declared31561.9%
Pain medicine32761.1%
Palliative medicine63121.9%
Pathology512,0732.5%
Anatomical pathology (including cytopathology)198922.1%
Chemical pathology4954.2%
Forensic pathology0480.0%
General pathology21231.6%
Haematology115132.1%
Immunology61185.1%
Microbiology62312.6%
No subspecialty declared3535.7%
Physician1939,7792.0%
Cardiology191,3131.4%
Clinical genetics0720.0%
Clinical pharmacology1551.8%
Endocrinology136582.0%
Gastroenterology and hepatology258363.0%
General medicine331,7851.8%
Geriatric medicine126611.8%
Haematology95321.7%
Immunology and allergy71594.4%
Infectious diseases94082.2%
Medical oncology106261.6%
Nephrology135222.5%
Neurology95671.6%
Nuclear medicine92613.4%
Respiratory and sleep medicine106511.5%
Rheumatology83652.2%
No subspecialty declared63081.9%
Psychiatry583,5651.6%
Public health medicine284346.5%
Radiation oncology133803.4%
Radiology502,3682.1%
Diagnostic radiology402,0232.0%
Diagnostic ultrasound040.0%
Nuclear medicine51862.7%
No subspecialty declared51553.2%
Rehabilitation medicine64971.2%
Sexual health medicine41233.3%
Sport and exercise medicine111199.2%
Surgery995,7111.7%
Cardio-thoracic surgery62013.0%
General surgery271,9741.4%
Neurosurgery72472.8%
Oral and maxillofacial surgery41233.3%
Orthopaedic surgery261,3941.9%
Otolaryngology - head and neck surgery94981.8%
Paediatric surgery41033.9%
Plastic surgery64501.3%
Urology64341.4%
Vascular surgery42291.7%
No subspecialty declared0580.0%
Podiatry Practitioner1303.3%
Podiatric surgeon1303.3%
Total1,24866,2071.9%

Note:

  1. The data above record the number of practitioners with registration in the specialist fields listed. Individual practitioners may be registered to practise in more than one specialist field.
Table 7: Applications received, by profession and registration type
Profession/registration typeACTNational total% of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Total12690.4%
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner General12680.4%
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner Non-practising010.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Total67420.8%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner General45460.7%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner Non-practising21961.0%
Chiropractor Total33940.8%
Chiropractor General33400.9%
Chiropractor Limited030.0%
Chiropractor Non-practising0510.0%
Dental Practitioner Total251,5361.6%
Dental Practitioner General211,2801.6%
Dental Practitioner Limited0460.0%
Dental Practitioner Non-practising41432.8%
Dental Practitioner Specialist0670.0%
Dental Practitioner Medical Practitioner31016,2031.9%
Dental Practitioner General1095,2802.1%
Dental Practitioner Limited311,7201.8%
Dental Practitioner Non-practising43931.0%
Dental Practitioner Provisional1215,4532.2%
Dental Practitioner Specialist453,3571.3%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Total291,7221.7%
Medical Radiation Practitioner General171,1601.5%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Limited060.0%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Non-practising1821.2%
Medical Radiation Practitioner Provisional114742.3%
Midwife Total401,7152.3%
Midwife General321,4012.3%
Midwife Non-practising82972.7%
Midwife Provisional0170.0%
Nurse Total42628,8541.5%
Nurse General38727,0311.4%
Nurse Non-practising331,5132.2%
Nurse Provisional63101.9%
Occupational Therapist Total482,2002.2%
Occupational Therapist General381,7992.1%
Occupational Therapist Limited3813.7%
Occupational Therapist Non-practising52871.7%
Occupational Therapist Provisional2336.1%
Optometrist Total83992.0%
Optometrist General83652.2%
Optometrist Limited060.0%
Optometrist Non-practising0280.0%
Osteopath Total42071.9%
Osteopath General41632.5%
Osteopath Non-practising0280.0%
Osteopath Provisional0160.0%
Pharmacist Total603,3241.8%
Pharmacist General221,6221.4%
Pharmacist Limited2296.9%
Pharmacist Non-practising31512.0%
Pharmacist Provisional331,5222.2%
Physiotherapist Total462,5051.8%
Physiotherapist General452,1012.1%
Physiotherapist Limited02440.0%
Physiotherapist Non-practising11600.6%
Podiatry Practitioner Total54451.1%
Podiatry Practitioner General44081.0%
Podiatry Practitioner Non-practising1362.8%
Podiatry Practitioner Specialist010.0%
Psychologist Total1234,7592.6%
Psychologist General591,7733.3%
Psychologist Non-practising145292.6%
Psychologist Provisional502,4572.0%
Total 2015/161,13465,2741.7%
Total 2014/1594161,5171.5%
Table 8: Outcomes of applications for registration finalised in 2015/16
OutcomeACTNational Total2% of National Total
Register95857,2601.7%
Register with conditions271,7161.6%
Register in a type other than applied for31502.0%
Register in a type other than applied for with conditions21301.5%
Refuse application312,7061.1%
Withdrawn653,8231.7%
Other71913.7%
Total 2015/16 (PPP)11,09365,9761.7%

Note:

  1. Based on state and territory of the applicant’s principal place of practice (PPP).
  2. National total figure includes overseas applicants and applicants who did not indicate their PPP.

Criminal history checks

Under the National Law, applicants for initial registration must undergo criminal history checks. A common criminal history standard is used across all 14 National Boards.

Nationally, AHPRA undertook 66,698 domestic and international criminal record checks of registrants in 2015/16, an increase of 28.4% from the previous year. The increase is largely due to a new approach to checking international criminal history, which was introduced in 2014/15.

In 2015/16, there were 1,083 criminal history checks undertaken for applicants with a principal place of practice in the ACT. Of those, 41 resulted in disclosable court outcomes. See Table 9.

Table 10 provides an overview of national cases where a criminal history check resulted in, or contributed to, the imposition of conditions by a Board or undertakings given by a practitioner. There were no such cases (0) in the ACT in 2015/16.

Table 9: Domestic and international criminal history checks in the ACT and nationally, by profession, and cases where a criminal history check resulted in, or contributed to, imposition of conditions or undertakings1
ProfessionACT - Number of CHCs2ACT - Number of DCOs3ACT - % of DCOs resulting from CHCsACT - Conditions/undertakings resulting from CHCsACT - % of total national CHCs resulted in conditions/undertakingsNational 2015/16 - Number of CHCs2National 2015/16 - Number of DCOs3National 2015/16 - % of DCOs resulting from CHCsNational 2015/16 - Conditions/undertakings resulting from CHCs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner11100.0%00.0%39619348.7%1
Chinese Medicine Practitioner6116.7%00.0%933606.4%0
Chiropractor10110.0%00.0%787668.4%0
Dental Practitioner2229.1%00.0%1,992964.8%1
Medical Practitioner21710.5%00.0%11,8912672.2%0
Medical Radiation Practitioner2613.8%00.0%1,728613.5%0
Midwife3239.4%00.0%859526.1%0
Nurse557234.1%00.0%36,1401,9775.5%6
Occupational Therapist4312.3%00.0%2,288662.9%0
Optometrist500.0%00.0%40851.2%0
Osteopath000.0%00.0%185158.1%0
Pharmacist4812.1%00.0%2,516863.4%1
Physiotherapist5223.8%00.0%2,702943.5%0
Podiatry Practitioner8225.0%00.0%814546.6%0
Psychologist5623.6%00.0%3,0591836.0%1
Total 2015/161,083413.8%00.0%66,6983,2754.9%10
Total 2014/15723588.0%38.1%51,9473,1006.0%37

Note:

  1. For 2015/16, figures are reported by principal place of practice. For 2014/15, figures are reported by the state/territory location of the preferred address as advised by the applicant/registrant. Where this can’t be identified, the location of the office assessing the application is used.
  2. Criminal history checks. Refers to both domestic and international criminal history checks submitted. International criminal history checks started in 2014/15.
  3. Disclosable court outcomes.
Table 10: Cases in 2015/16 where a criminal history check resulted in, or contributed to, imposition of conditions or undertakings, by profession
ProfessionACTTotal % of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner010.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner000.0%
Chiropractor000.0%
Dental Practitioner010.0%
Medical Practitioner000.0%
Medical Radiation Practitioner000.0%
Midwife000.0%
Nurse060.0%
Occupational Therapist000.0%
Optometrist000.0%
Osteopath000.0%
Pharmacist010.0%
Physiotherapist000.0%
Podiatry Practitioner000.0%
Psychologist010.0%
Total 2015/160100.0%
Total 2014/153378.1%

Notifications in the ACT

Notifications are complaints or concerns that are raised with AHPRA about registered health practitioners or students practising in Australia, excluding in NSW, where complaints are handled by the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA), and in Queensland, where complaints may be referred to AHPRA by the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO).

Tables 11–23 contain data relating to notifications about registered health practitioners with a principal place of practice (PPP) in the ACT. Some tables do not contain data from the HPCA in NSW, as indicated in the table headings.

Nationally, notifications received in 2015/16 increased by 19.7% (including those managed by the HPCA). Notifications received about practitioners with a PPP in the ACT increased by 15.7%, to 206 complaints, compared with 178 in the previous year. This represents 2% of all notifications received nationally.

Of the new notifications received, mandatory notifications in the ACT increased from 17 in 2014/15 to 44 in 2015/16; this represents 4.5% of mandatory notifications nationally in 2015/16.

There were four fewer open notifications in the ACT as at 30 June 2016 than the previous year (110, compared with 114 in 2014/15). This represents 1.9% of open matters nationally.

The percentage of the ACT registrant base with notifications received in 2015/16 was 1.8%, which was 0.3% higher than the national percentage.

The majority of notifications (87) were about clinical care. See Table 14.

Most complaints came directly from a patient (72) or via a health complaints entity (53).

There were 19 cases where immediate action was initiated against practitioners in the ACT. In 12 of these the registration of the practitioner was suspended or restricted in order to protect the public. In the remaining seven cases the Board determined that no further action was required1. See Table 16.

There were no open notifications in the ACT in 2015/16 that had been received before the National Law took effect in 2010. See Table 17.

Tables 18–22 detail the outcomes of key stages in the notifications process during 2015/16; note the national data in these tables do not include data for NSW, because complaints in that jurisdiction are managed by the HPCA.

The majority of the 247 enquiries received about ACT registrants in 2015/16 were considered to meet the criteria for a notification (202) and an assessment commenced.

On completion of assessment of cases in 2015/16, 127 were closed and 68 were taken to a further stage. See Table 19.

Six cases were closed following a panel hearing and 14 were closed following a tribunal hearing. See Tables 21 and 22.

In total, 206 matters were closed in the ACT in 2015/16. See Table 23.

Note:

  1. No further action is usually taken when, based on the available information, the Board determines there is no risk to the public that meets the threshold for regulatory action or because a practitioner has taken steps to voluntarily address issues of concern.
Table 11: Notifications received or closed in 2015/16 or remaining open at 30 June 2016, by profession1
ProfessionAll received - ACTAll received - National totalAll received - % of national totalMandatory received - ACTMandatory received - National totalMandatory received - % of national totalClosed - ACTClosed - National totalClosed - % of national total Open at 30 June - ACTOpen at 30 June - National totalOpen at 30 June - % of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner050.0%010.0%090.0%0 1 0.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner1541.9%040.0%1362.8%0 33 0.0%
Chiropractor11460.7%0100.0%01010.0%2 126 1.6%
Dental Practitioner161,0251.6%32711.1%247943.0%7 621 1.1%
Medical Practitioner1055,3712.0%122724.4%1094,7142.3%52 2,882 1.8%
Medical Radiation Practitioner0480.0%070.0%0380.0%0 27 0.0%
Midwife51034.9%31618.8%2832.4%5 82 6.1%
Nurse 351,9421.8%165193.1%321,7621.8%23 1,226 1.9%
Occupational Therapist0590.0%020.0%0560.0%0 25 0.0%
Optometrist1392.6%010.0%1442.3%0 15 0.0%
Osteopath2238.7%010.0%2277.4%0 9 0.0%
Pharmacist205703.5%93823.7%165373.0%14 330 4.2%
Physiotherapist21022.0%050.0%1931.1%0 67 0.0%
Podiatry Practitioner0570.0%050.0%0490.0%0 28 0.0%
Psychologist185283.4%1721.4%184843.7%7 316 2.2%
Not identified20100.0%000.0%0120.0%0 1 0.0%
Total 2015/16 (PPP)3206 10,082 2.0%449804.5%2068,8392.3% 110 5,789 1.9%
Total 2014/15 (PPP)3178 8,426 2.1%178332.0%2369,0032.6% 114 4,531 2.5%
Total 2014/15 (Responsible Office)1194 8,426 2.3%208332.4%2679,0033.0% 121 4,531 2.7%

Note:

  1. Profession of registrant is not always identifiable in the early stages of a notification.
  2. For 2015/16, notifications are based on the state or territory of the practitioner’s principal place of practice (PPP).
  3. Prior to the above, notifications were based on the location of the AHPRA state or territory office that handled the notification (Responsible Office).
Table 12: Percentage of registrant base with notifications received in 2015/16, by profession1
Profession ACTNational total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner0.0%0.9%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner1.5%1.1%
Chiropractor1.5%2.8%
Dental Practitioner4.0%4.7%
Medical Practitioner5.1%5.0%
Medical Radiation Practitioner0.0%0.3%
Midwife20.7%0.3%
Nurse30.6%0.5%
Occupational Therapist0.0%0.3%
Optometrist1.3%0.8%
Osteopath5.9%1.1%
Pharmacist3.9%1.9%
Physiotherapist0.4%0.4%
Podiatry Practitioner0.0%1.2%
Psychologist2.1%1.6%
Total 2015/16 (PPP)41.8%1.5%
Total 2014/15 (PPP)41.6%1.3%
Total 2014/15 (Responsible Office)41.8%1.3%

Note:

  1. Percentages are based on registrants whose profession and principal place of practice (PPP) have been identified.
  2. The registrant base for midwives includes registrants with midwifery or with nursing and midwifery registration.
  3. The registrant base used for nurses includes registrants with midwifery or with nursing and midwifery registration.
  4. For 2015/16, notifications are based on the practitioner’s PPP. Prior to this, notifications were based on the state or territory where the notification was handled (Responsible Office).
Table 13: Registrants involved in mandatory notifications, by jurisdiction
Jurisdiction2015/16 (PPP)1 - No. practitioners32015/16 (PPP)1 - Rate / 10,000 practitioners42014/15 (PPP)1 - No. practitioners32014/15 (PPP)1 - Rate / 10,000 practitioners42014/15 (Responsible Office)2 - No. practitioners32014/15 (Responsible Office)2 - Rate / 10,000 practitioners4
ACT3934.31614.61917.3
Total Australia92014.078912.478912.4

Note:

  1. Principal place of practice (PPP).
  2. State or territory where the notification is handled for registrants, including those registrants who do not reside in Australia.
  3. Figures represent the number of practitioners involved in the mandatory reports received.
  4. Practitioners with no PPP are not represented in the calculation of a rate for each state, but are included in the calculation of the Total Australia rate.
Table 14: Issues in notifications received in 2015/16
Issue ACTNational total% of national total
Behaviour 3 374 0.8%
Billing3 178 1.7%
Boundary violation 5 344 1.5%
Clinical care87 4,208 2.1%
Communication18 668 2.7%
Confidentiality 7 248 2.8%
Conflict of interest0 20 0.0%
Discrimination4 27 14.8%
Documentation 7 436 1.6%
Health impairment 16 932 1.7%
Infection/hygiene0 87 0.0%
Informed consent6 116 5.2%
Medico-legal conduct0 146 0.0%
National Law breach3 299 1.0%
National Law offence0 277 0.0%
Offence4 329 1.2%
Offence by student0 9 0.0%
Other 1 170 0.6%
Pharmacy/medication35 1,062 3.3%
Research/teaching/assessment1 20 5.0%
Response to adverse event0 43 0.0%
Teamwork/supervision 6 65 9.2%
Not recorded0 24 0.0%
Total20610,0822.0%
Table 15: Source of notifications received in 2015/16
SourceACTNational total (excluding HPCA)1% of national total (excluding HPCA)
Anonymous21121.8%
Drugs and poisons0240.0%
Education provider0210.0%
Employer195683.3%
Government department111557.1%
HCE5343412.2%
Health advisory service1283.6%
Hospital0710.0%
Insurance company0140.0%
Lawyer0440.0%
Member of Parliament020.0%
Member of the public83402.4%
Ombudsman0350.0%
Other Board0390.0%
Other practitioner247413.2%
Own motion93292.7%
Patient722,0223.6%
Police0930.0%
Relative35960.5%
Self31821.6%
Treating practitioner0580.0%
Unclassified11480.7%
Total2066,0563.4%

Note:

  1. The national total excludes Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) data as the categorisation of ‘source’ differs between the HPCA and AHPRA.
Table 16: Immediate action cases about notifications received in 2015/16
OutcomeACTNational total% of national total
Not take immediate action71395.0%
Accept undertaking5677.5%
Impose conditions64051.5%
Accept surrender of registration0130.0%
Suspend registration11060.9%
Decision pending0190.0%
Total197492.5%
Table 17: Notifications under previous legislation open at 30 June 2016, by profession (excluding HPCA)
Profession ACT National total1 % of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner00 0.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner00 0.0%
Chiropractor02 0.0%
Dental Practitioner00 0.0%
Medical Practitioner07 0.0%
Medical Radiation Practitioner00 0.0%
Midwife00 0.0%
Nurse00 0.0%
Occupational Therapist00 0.0%
Optometrist00 0.0%
Osteopath00 0.0%
Pharmacist03 0.0%
Physiotherapist00 0.0%
Podiatry Practitioner00 0.0%
Psychologist02 0.0%
Total 2015/160140.0%
Total 2014/150380.0%

Note:

  1. Of the 14 open matters in the national total for 2015/16, 13 are lodged with a tribunal.
Table 18: Outcome of enquiries received in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
OutcomeACT National total % of national total
Moved to notification, complaint or offence2026,2143.3%
Closed at lodgement341,5762.2%
Yet to be determined113742.9%
Total2478,1643.0%
Table 19a: Outcome of assessments finalised in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
Outcome of decisions to take the notification furtherACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
Health or performance assessment72952.4%
Investigation611,9753.1%
Panel hearing0160.0%
Tribunal hearing030.0%
Total682,2893.0%
Table 19b: Outcome of assessments finalised in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
Outcome of notifications closed following assessmentACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
No further action1002,3584.2%
HCE to retain91098.3%
Refer all or part of the notification to another body0330.0%
Dealt with as enquiry2474.3%
Managed as a complaint by a co-regulator050.0%
Managed as an offence under Part 7 of the National Law070.0%
Caution93672.5%
Accept undertaking3466.5%
Impose conditions41642.4%
Practitioner surrenders registration020.0%
Total1273,1384.0%
Table 20a: Outcome of investigations finalised in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
Outcome of decisions to take the notification furtherACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
Assessment71643.8%
Health or performance assessment21161.7%
Panel hearing2792.5%
Tribunal hearing51005.0%
Total163115.1%
Table 20b: Outcome of investigations finalised in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
Outcome of notifications closed following investigationACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
No further action268383.1%
HCE to retain6875.0%
Refer all or part of the notification to another body1119.1%
Dealt with as enquiry010.0%
Managed as a complaint by a co-regulator050.0%
Caution102723.7%
Accept undertaking0720.0%
Impose conditions51892.6%
Suspend registration010.0%
Total481,3973.4%
Table 21: Outcome of panel hearings finalised in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
OutcomeACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
No further action1323.1%
Accept undertaking010.0%
Caution0390.0%
Reprimand0110.0%
Impose conditions5885.7%
Practitioner surrender010.0%
Suspend registration010.0%
Total61733.5%
Table 22: Outcome of tribunal hearings finalised in 2015/16 (excluding HPCA)
OutcomeACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
No further action0180.0%
Caution1333.3%
Reprimand0210.0%
Fine registrant050.0%
Accept undertaking020.0%
Impose conditions32810.7%
Practitioner surrenders registration030.0%
Suspend registration74415.9%
Cancel registration3348.8%
Not permitted to reapply for registration for a period of 12 months080.0%
Withdrawn090.0%
Total141758.0%
Table 23: Notifications closed in 2015/16, by profession and stage at closure in the ACT
Profession AssessmentInvestigationHealth or performance assessmentPanel hearingTribunal hearingTotal 2015/16
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner 000000
Chinese Medicine Practitioner 100001
Chiropractor000000
Dental Practitioner14910024
Medical Practitioner6828427109
Medical Radiation Practitioner 000000
Midwife100102
Nurse14733532
Occupational Therapist 000000
Optometrist100001
Osteopath200002
Pharmacist13200116
Physiotherapist100001
Podiatry Practitioner000000
Psychologist13220118
Not identified1000000
Total 2015/161284810614206

Note:

  1. Practitioner profession may not have been identified in notifications closed at an early stage.

Monitoring and compliance

AHPRA’s monitoring and compliance team monitors health practitioners and students with restrictions on their registration, or whose registration has been suspended or cancelled.

Monitoring ensures practitioners are complying with restrictions placed on their registration. Each case is assigned to one of five streams, where the below affects a practitioner or student’s ability or performance:

  • health: physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence)
  • performance: deficiencies in knowledge, skill, judgement or care
  • conduct: where they have a criminal history or have demonstrated a lesser standard of professional care than expected
  • suitability/eligibility: they do not hold an approved or equivalent qualification; lack English-language skills; do not meet the requirements for recency of practice or do not meet approved registration standards, or
  • prohibited practitioner/student: they are subject to a cancellation order, surrender of registration or change to non-practising registration or suspension.

At 30 June 2016, there were 117 cases under active compliance monitoring in the ACT.

The ACT accounted for 2.4% of all cases nationally under active monitoring. The majority of these registrants were medical practitioners (34), nurses (31) and Chinese medicine practitioners (24). See Tables 24 and 25.

Table 24: Active monitoring cases at 30 June 2016, by profession (excluding HPCA)
ProfessionACT National total (excluding HPCA) % of national total
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner0730.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner249542.5%
Chiropractor0460.0%
Dental Practitioner71415.0%
Medical Practitioner341,7671.9%
Medical Radiation Practitioner31092.8%
Midwife31442.1%
Nurse311,2742.4%
Occupational Therapist0360.0%
Optometrist1175.9%
Osteopath090.0%
Pharmacist61783.4%
Physiotherapist2603.3%
Podiatry Practitioner0210.0%
Psychologist61344.5%
Total1174,9632.4%
Table 25: Active monitoring cases at 30 June 2016 in the ACT and nationally, by stream
JurisdictionConduct1Health1Performance1Prohibited practitioner/studentSuitability/eligibility2Total 2015/16
ACT102524850117
National 2015/1637091,0006772193,1295,734
% of national total1.4%2.5%3.5%3.7%1.6%2.0%

Note:

  1. Includes cases to be transitioned from AHPRA to HPCA for Conduct, Health and Performance streams.
  2. AHPRA performs monitoring of compliance cases in ‘suitability/eligibility’ matters for NSW registrations.
  3. Includes cases monitored by the HPCA.

Statutory offence complaints

In order to protect the public, the National Law sets out the following types of statutory offences:

  • unlawful use of protected titles
  • performing restricted acts
  • holding out (unlawful claims by individuals or organisations as to registration), and
  • unlawful advertising.

These offences are prosecuted in the Magistrates’ Court (or equivalent) of the relevant state or territory, and carry penalties or fines that may be imposed on a finding of guilt.

Nationally, AHPRA received 1,348 statutory offence complaints in 2015/16 (166% more than in 2014/15). This increase was largely due to a series of complaints made by organisations about alleged advertising breaches, which made up 75% of all complaints. Of these, 57.3% were about chiropractors, 16% were about dental services and 13.1% were about medical services.

Twenty new statutory offence complaints were made about ACT practitioners. Noting that the total numbers are relatively small, this represents an increase of 100% from 2014/15. The ACT received 1.5% of all offence complaints nationally. See Table 26.

Fifteen statutory offences were closed in 2015/16, eight more than were closed in 2014/15. Almost all new matters in the ACT related to title protection or advertising concerns.

Table 26: Offences received and closed by profession and jurisdiction1
ProfessionACT - ReceivedACT - ClosedNational Total2 - ReceivedNational Total2 - Closed% of National Total - Received% of National Total - Closed
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner00000.0%0.0%
Chinese Medicine Practitioner0026120.0%0.0%
Chiropractor101601681.7%1.5%
Dental Practitioner221961571.0%1.3%
Medical Practitioner112021280.5%0.8%
Medical Radiation Practitioner00870.0%0.0%
Midwife003360.0%0.0%
Nurse2354403.7%7.5%
Occupational Therapist01650.0%20.0%
Optometrist00990.0%0.0%
Osteopath0012250.0%0.0%
Pharmacist22131315.4%15.4%
Physiotherapist0166400.0%2.5%
Podiatry Practitioner33261711.5%17.6%
Psychologist0183640.0%1.6%
Unknown3001390.0%0.0%
Total 2015/16 (PPP)420151,3486001.5%2.5%
Total 2014/15 (PPP)41075065182.0%1.4%

Note:

  1. This table captures offence complaints by principal place of practice (PPP) and includes all offences from sections 113–116 of the National Law, not only offences about advertising, title and practice protection.
  2. The national total includes offences managed about unregistered persons where there is no PPP recorded.
  3. AHPRA also receives offence complaints about unregistered persons where there is no PPP recorded. Only registered practitioners have a designated PPP.
  4. Based on state and territory of the practitioner’s PPP.