Communications and advocacy update: 10 March
10 March 2022
Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:
- Clarification: face covering and QR code check-in requirements for medical practices
- Independent review of the regulation of health practitioners in cosmetic surgery
- Invitation to participate in stigma reduction research.
Clarification: face covering and QR code check-in requirements for medical practices
A number of members have recently contacted us seeking clarification on whether face coverings and QR code check-in requirements are still required for medical practices.
After contacting the Victorian Department of Health, we can confirm that, valid exemptions notwithstanding, all people attending a medical practice must still wear a face covering. However, we can confirm that QR code check-in requirements no longer apply for medical practices.
Independent review of the regulation of health practitioners in cosmetic surgery
Public consultation in relation to the regulation of medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery in Australia is now open.
The Independent review of the regulation of health practitioners in cosmetic surgery was commissioned by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Medical Board of Australia. Mr Andrew Brown, former Queensland Health Ombudsman, has been appointed as the Independent Reviewer.
The consultation paper, including consultation questions, is available on the independent review page on the AHPRA website.
If you would like to contribute to AMA Victoria’s submission, please provide your feedback to Senior Policy Adviser, Lewis Horton at LewisH@amavic.com.au by Friday 11 March 2022.
Invitation to participate in stigma reduction research- Australian Centre for Sex, Health and Society
Researchers from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ACSHS) at La Trobe University are seeking people who work in the blood-borne viruses (BBV) and sexually transmissible infections (STI) health service settings in Victoria to participate in a new research study. Using a co-design approach, the research aims to develop a new toolkit to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with BBV and STIs in health service settings.
The research will also gather information about ways to address the institutional structures and practices that enable stigma and discrimination related to BBVs and STIs in health service settings. The ACSHS will use the information gathered in this research to develop a new stigma and discrimination reduction toolkit for use in health service settings in Victoria.
Participation involves two rounds of focus group interviews and reviewing and providing written feedback on a draft stigma and discrimination reduction toolkit.
The focus groups will be conducted online using the conferencing program Zoom.
Download the Participant Information and Consent form here.
If you would like to represent AMA Victoria in this research project, please send an EOI to Senior Policy Adviser, Lewis Horton at LewisH@amavic.com.au by COB Friday 11 April 2022.
