Page 1788 - Week 06 - Thursday, 14 May 2015
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The bill also provides for the registration of veterinary surgeons. The registration process will be determined by the board and the detail contained in regulation. Registered veterinary surgeons must have, and maintain, certain qualifications to practise as a vet. It is anticipated that the regulations under the new legislation will reflect the current registration process. Requirements for ensuring that the register of veterinary surgeons is accurate, up-to-date and available to the public are also covered under the bill.
One of the changes that will be made by the bill is in terminology. The former reference to a “report” has been replaced with the term “complaint”. The Health Professionals Act characterised a complaint as a “report” in recognition that a complainant may not be directly affected by a breach of the standards of practice but may in fact be another practitioner or other third party who is aware of a breach and reporting the instance.
The use of “complaint” in the bill clarifies and better captures the actuality of the fact that, whether called a report or not, it is still a complaint. It also provides clarity, as the term “report” is used in other contexts in the bill; for example, in reference to “reports” of professional standards panels that are set up to investigate a complaint.
The occupational discipline process remains the same as that contained in the Health Professionals Act. That is, the Human Rights Commission, through the Health Services Commissioner’s function, continues to have a role in the decision-making process relating to complaints; personal assessment and professional standards panels remain a feature of the system; and the role of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, or ACAT, remains, which includes a role in determining the removal or suspension of a registered practitioner.
A significant change, though one that does not impact on the operations of the board or profession, is the object of the act. For the first time there is recognition under occupational legislation that veterinarians also have a role in the welfare and protection of animals. Previously, the object of the legislation has only recognised public safety and the need for skill and competence in service provision of health professionals. This reflected the generic nature of the Health Professionals Act under which the Veterinary Surgeons are currently covered. The recognition of animal welfare is fitting, as this is central to the provision of competent and skilled veterinary services.
The functions of the board remain as they are under the Health Professionals Act, as do the powers and authority to make fees, approve forms and the like.
The new act will be called the Veterinary Surgeons Act 2015 and, if passed, will commence on a day fixed by me, as minister. This is to ensure that, when it commences, all supporting legislation and other documentation is in place, ready for a seamless transfer to operation under the new law. For example, the standards of practice for veterinary surgeons will need to be reissued under the new act. I am advised that it will not change except to the extent that it will need to be authorised and reference the new legislation. I anticipate commencement of the act soon after it is passed by the Assembly.
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