APodA advocacy update: July 2024
4 Jul 2024
Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review – Phase 3 workshop
The APodA recently took part in the Phase 3 workshop of The Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review, hosted by Professor Mark Cormack in collaboration with the National Rural Health Alliance. It was a great opportunity for health leaders to come together and discuss the proposed reforms in Issues Paper 2. We focused on the National Skills and Capability Framework, legislation and regulation, as well as workforce design and planning.
This workshop wraps up the consultation phases that kicked off in September 2023. We’re looking forward to the final draft report and implementation plan, expected later in July 2024.
The Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce - Scope of Practice Review looks to encourage a turning point in how Australians are afforded care across the healthcare system.
If you'd like to read more about this vital body of work, please click here to read the most recent Issues paper.
Updates to Medicare and DVA fee schedules
From 1 July 2024, the fee schedule for podiatry services funded through Medicare (CDM) and DVA have updated.
- Medicare has updated the indexation for item 10962. The benefit has increased from $58.30 to approximately $60.35, marking a 3.5% rise. All the details are available here >>
- DVA has updated the indexation for the podiatry fee schedule. Find the updated fee schedule here >>
Ahpra – greater protection for the public under National Law changes
As of 1 July 2024, Ahpra and the National Boards have new powers to ban unregistered practitioners (including those who are suspended) from treating patients, ensuring greater public safety. Key changes beginning on 1 July 2024 include:
- allowing National Boards and Ahpra to issue interim prohibition orders about unregistered persons in certain circumstances where the person poses a serious risk to others
- establishing the process to renew a practitioner’s registration after a period of suspension has ended
- extending powers for National Boards to exclude information about a practitioner from the public register if including it would pose a serious risk to their health or safety, to also include risks to the practitioner’s family members or associates. This includes risks such as those stemming from family, domestic or other violence.
These changes are part of a series of reforms to enhance public protection and improve the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
For all the details and information on these changes, please click here to visit Ahpra’s website.
ACT Podiatrists: 2024 ACT Allied Health Excellence Awards
Nominations are now open for the annual ACT Allied Health Excellence Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of the ACT community.
Award categories are:
- Allied Health Assistant Excellence
- Practice Excellence
- Early Career Excellence
- Management and Leadership Excellence
- Team Excellence
- Education Excellence
- Research Excellence
- Excellence in Provision of Services to Improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
- Consumer Recognition (nominated by a health consumer)
To access further details on how to get involved, please click here >> (deadline is 5pm, Friday 9 August 2024)