On the front cover of the latest issue of Riskwise Australia you will find an article that takes a look at some of the practical implications of the recently introduced system that the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has created for dealing with complaints about health practitioners.

DPL has raised concerns regarding the design and usage of the Standard Notification Form (NOTF-00) created by AHPRA, and the timescales allowed for practitioner responses. Both have created early difficulties and DPL has expressed its hope that the working of the current arrangement will be reviewed, and the present form redesigned in the light of experience.

Speaking from the Brisbane office Ken Parker, Director of Operations said, “DPL has always taken an active role by working at the heart of the profession on behalf of its members, and it has
influenced change for the better in many parts of the world. As the Corporate Authorised representative of MDA National Insurance here in Australia, our team of Cases Consultants is dealing with these AHPRA issues on a daily basis. As practitioners themselves, they appreciate just how stressful it can be when our members receive a complaint, and they are well placed to help practitioners through the current maze.

“Teething problems were inevitable when AHPRA took over these responsibilities” he added. “But we are not convinced that the new arrangements have benefitted either patients or the health professions. We look forward to contributing to any future review of the workings of the new AHPRA arrangements, in the hope DPL reviews practicalities of new AHPRA arrangements that the concerns we have raised in Riskwise Australia will be addressed. It would be very easy for DPL Australia to criticise from the sidelines, but we feel that it is more constructive and in the interests of our members to have an open dialogue with AHPRA and this is precisely what we are doing. Our members have a right to know what our position is on these important matters and the reasons for it.”

Members of Dental Protection can read the full article in Riskwise Australia. Dental Protection Limited (DPL) is part of the Medical Protection Society (MPS) providing discretionary benefits, subject to Australian law, for dentists and other dental care professionals and has over 55,000 dental members in 70 countries around the globe. MPS is not an insurance company. All benefits of membership are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

DPL is registered in Australia as DPL Australia Pty Ltd (DPLA) ABN 24 092 695 933, CAR No. 326134 and is a Corporate Authorised Representative of MDA National Insurance Pty Ltd
BN 56 058 271 417 AFS Licence No. 238073. Dental indemnity is provided for Australian members by a policy which is underwritten by MDA National Insurance.

Web address www.dentalprotection.org/au
Contact: Ken Parker, DPL Australia
T: 073862 7788 E: ken.parker@dpla.com.au