New figures show 57 optometrists were the subject of complaints during the past year, as the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) provided an update on a new standard in ocular therapeutics programs and the latest personnel movements on the board.
Read More
Doubling of international health practitioners registered in Australia
The number of international health practitioners registered to work in Australia over the past year has almost doubled, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (Ahpra) and National Boards’ 2022/23 annual report that also revealed a spike in optometry workforce numbers.
Read More
Read More
Registration deadline looms as optometry numbers continue to climb
Ahpra is asking practitioners to renew their general, specialist or non-practising registration before the end-of-year deadline, as new data shows there are currently 260 more optometrists than a year ago.
Read More
Read More
Ophthalmologists now among few specialties that can use ‘surgeon’ title
The Queensland parliament has passed a new law restricting use of the title ‘surgeon’ to doctors registered in one of three recognised specialties of surgery, including ophthalmology.
Read More
Read More
Optometrists and ophthalmologists facing 2023/24 registration fee increases
Australian optometrists and ophthalmologists will face an increase in their registration fees for 2023/24, with eye doctors facing a $135 hike to cover greater regulatory demands on medical professionals.
Read More
Read More
Ahpra’s sentiments and perceptions survey shows trust and confidence waning in regulator
The trust and confidence that Australian eyecare professionals have in their regulator have taken a hit, according to a survey of practitioner sentiments and perceptions of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the National Boards.
Read More
Read More
Ahpra bolsters investigations unit as sexual misconduct complaints rise
Greater scrutiny of sexual misconduct in the healthcare system has led to sustained jump in reports to authorities as well as the number of practitioners facing regulatory action to protect the public, industry regulator Ahpra says.
Read More
Read More
New Ahpra resources to help practitioners manage health records
To help practitioners, including optometrists, better understand and meet their health record management obligations, seven of Ahpra’s national boards have developed two new health record management resources.
Read More
Read More
Ombudsman reviewing Ahpra’s ‘vexatious complaints’ framework
“If you want to ruin a doctor’s life, all you have to do is make a complaint against them and walk away. There will be no consequences against you. Certainly 90% of the time the doctor will be found to have done nothing wrong, but you will have ensured that that doctor has a year of utter misery.”
Read More
Read More
Disciplinary history could appear on public register in Ahpra shake up
Optometry Australia (OA) is urging caution over potential changes to the way Ahpra uses its register, with the regulator considering listing more information – such as a practitioner’s disciplinary history – which would be available to the public.
Read More
Read More