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June 2022 Newsletter
Message from the President
Welcome to the mid-year newsletter of the Podiatry Council of NSW.
The last two years have presented unique challenges to health care and health professionals. I wanted to acknowledge the contribution of NSW podiatrists for the care they have provided to the NSW community during these difficult times. For some that has meant taking on directly COVID related roles, including many podiatry students who stepped up to assist with the vaccine roll out. For all of us, we have had significant challenges in providing access to care for our patients, disrupted business models and extended uncertainty. Thank you for your efforts to support our patients during this time.
In this newsletter you will find updates on a range of activities related to health practitioner regulation, including:
- Infection control inspections
- Revised code of conduct
- Professional conduct on social media
- Mandatory notifications
Luke Taylor
President, Podiatry Council of NSW
Infection Control Inspections in NSW
The Council has recommenced its infection control program. We have appointed experienced infection control practitioners to conduct routine inspections of podiatry practices throughout NSW.
The purpose of these inspections is to identify and address infection control risks within the podiatry profession. This initiative fulfils Council’s primary goal to protect the health and safety of the public. The Council views these inspections as a proactive and cost-effective way of engaging with practitioners, providing continuing education in this domain and an opportunity to promote awareness of, and compliance with, regulatory requirements.
To gain a better understanding of the infection control work of the Council, visit the Infection Control section on our website.
Advanced copy: Revised Code of Conduct for Podiatry
Twelve National Boards have published an advance copy of their revised shared Code of conduct (the code) and are encouraging practitioners to familiarise themselves with it before it comes into effect on 29 June 2022.
Practitioners have a professional responsibility to be familiar with and to apply the code.
The code sets out National Boards’ expectations of professional behaviour and conduct for practitioners registered in these professions, which promotes safe and effective care and helps to keep the public safe.
The shared code sets the same expectations for all 12 professions subject to the code, including podiatry. This consistency supports inter-professional practice and contributes to safety and quality in healthcare.
The public can also use the code to better understand what they can expect from registered health practitioners and if the care they provide meets expected standards.
To read the advance copy of the code please visit the Shared Code of conduct page on the Ahpra website.
Professional conduct on social media?
Social media is an easily accessible public forum which can be open to misinterpretation or used inappropriately.
Health practitioners must be alert to how inappropriate conduct on social media can lead to complaints of unprofessional conduct or professional misconduct. The NSW Health Professional Councils have recently seen an upturn in the number of complaints about how some practitioners are using social media to express personal views on COVID related issues.
The public nature of social media means a single post is instantly widely available. Content can quickly be copied and presented to another audience, without the consent of the person who made the original post. Sharing of information or even ‘likes’ can be construed as endorsement of inappropriate content.
The pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, mandated vaccinations and testing have contributed to increased social media activity by health practitioners. Complaints about the professional conduct of practitioners have been received by Councils where content has been inconsistent with public health orders, or reputable scientific evidence. Practitioners are also reminded that a breach of public health orders is an offence.
The role of Council is to protect public safety. This involves receiving complaints about health practitioners, assessing the complaints in consultation with the HCCC, and managing complaints. Regulatory action taken by Councils may include conducting hearings, placing conditions on practice and, for serious matters, registration may be suspended.
Whether practitioners are commenting in social media about COVID or other matters, there is a professional responsibility to ensure adherence to the National Law, National Board Standards, Guidelines and Code of Conduct.
Any social media activity that is in conflict with these professional responsibilities is deemed inappropriate.
Examples of inappropriate social media activity that may result in complaints about practitioners and action by Council include:
· Activity that contradicts public health orders, public health messaging or reputable scientific evidence including:
- Making comments, endorsing or sharing information, posting ‘likes’ or ‘dislikes’ with or without additional comments.
- Being photographed or videoed engaging in activities or events that are in conflict with professional responsibilities.
· Providing health advice on areas outside the scope of the profession or individual professional competencies.
· Commenting on a post made by a patient that could be seen as breaching the patient’s privacy.
· Unprofessional, disrespectful, or threatening communications with or about patients and/or other practitioners, including through closed group social media channels.
Meet your professional responsibilities by:
· Complying with professional obligations as defined in the National Boards’ Code of conduct.
· Complying with confidentiality and privacy requirements.
· Maintaining professional boundaries with patients, colleagues and employers.
· Communicating professionally and respectfully with or about patients, colleagues and employers.
· Ensuring any advertising or information presented is not false, misleading or deceptive.
· Only supporting information that is consistent with public health orders and reputable scientific evidence.
Do you need further details?
Find more information on Social media guidelines, the code of conduct for registered practitioners, or your professional obligations under the National Law at these links or on the Ahpra website.
Mandatory notifications
By law, registered health practitioners, employers and education providers must make a mandatory notification in some limited circumstances. Mandatory notifications help to protect the public by ensuring that Ahpra and the National Board are alerted to any potential risks to the public.
Understanding when to make a mandatory notification and when not to, is an important way you can help to protect the public and support your colleagues. Click here to find out more.
Tell us what you think
You can send us an email if you have a particular comment or suggestion about this edition of our newsletter or you can have your say via our anonymous survey which is open all year round https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FGWJJDH
