On 30 June 2014, there were 4,129 registered
podiatrists across Australia. This is an increase of
6.6% over the previous year. Victoria has the largest
number of registered podiatrists (1,318), followed
by NSW with 1,076 registrants. There were 1,855
registrants (44.9%) aged under 35.
There were 54 notifications received in 2013/14 about
1.2% of the registrant base; this is an increase from
the 44 notifications lodged in 2012/13. Of the 54
notifications, 41 notifications were lodged outside NSW.
Of the 58 notifications closed in 2013/14, 45
notifications were managed outside NSW. Of these
notifications, 25 were closed after assessment, two
were closed after a panel (1) or tribunal (1) hearing
and the remaining 18 notifications were closed after
an investigation (12) or a health or performance
assessment (6).
In 31 of the closed cases managed outside NSW,
the Board determined that no further action was
required (23), or that the notification would be most
appropriately handled by the health complaints
entity that had received the notification (8). Eight
cases resulted in a caution (7) or a reprimand (1),
and the remaining cases imposed conditions on
the practitioner’s registration (3) or accepted an
undertaking given by the practitioner (3).
Concerns raised about advertising during the year
were managed by AHPRA’s statutory compliance team
and are reported on page 119 of the 2013/14 annual
report of AHPRA and the National Boards.
A National Board has the power to take immediate
action in relation to a health practitioner’s registration
at any time if it believes this is necessary to protect
the public. This is an interim step that Boards can
take while more information is gathered or while other
processes are put in place.
Immediate action is a serious step. The threshold
for the Board to take immediate action is high and
is defined in section 156 of the National Law. To take
immediate action, the Board must reasonably believe
that:
• because of their conduct, performance or health,
the practitioner poses a ‘serious risk to persons’
and that it is necessary to take immediate action to
protect public health or safety, or
• the practitioner’s registration was improperly
obtained, or
• the practitioner or student’s registration was
cancelled or suspended in another jurisdiction.
In relation to students, the Board must reasonably
believe that they:
• have been charged, convicted or found guilty of an
offence punishable by 12 months’ imprisonment or
more, or
• have or may have an impairment, or
• have or may have contravened a condition on their
registration or an undertaking given to the Board,
and it is necessary to take action to protect the
public.
Immediate action was initiated by the Board in three
cases during the year; two cases in Queensland and
one in Tasmania. Integrated data for all professions
including outcomes of immediate actions are
published from page 138 in the 2013/14 annual report
of AHPRA and the National Boards. More information
about immediate action is published on our website
under notifications.
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