Visiting Health Professionals Chogm 2011 Requirements

In Western Australia (WA), as in other Australian States and Territories, statutory law regulates the provision of health services by certain health professions. Special permission is required to allow visiting health professionals within the following professional groups to practice in WA:
• Chiropractic
• Dental
• Medical
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Optometry
• Osteopathy
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry; and
• Psychology

In 2000, the Parliament of Western Australia passed the Health Professionals (Special Events Exemption) Act to allow visiting health professionals to provide health care services to visitors to Western Australia in connection with special events. In addition, where it is in the Public’s Interest, visiting health professionals can be registered for a short term with the Australian Health Professionals Registration Agency (AHPRA).

An approved application will strictly describe the conditions of the visiting health professional’s authority to practice within WA, including the timeframe and scope.

To assist event organisers wishing to apply for special events exemption for a visiting health professional the government has prepared a Health Professionals (Special Events Exemption) Act 2000: A guide to the Act, February 2011 paper (PDF 620KB). The guide outlines the purpose and main provisions of the Act, specifically the conditions on practice and access to therapeutic substances by a visiting health professional.

A range of factors need to be considered when applying, see ‘What needs to be considered when applying for Special Events Exemption' (PDF 17KB)

Applications to allow visiting CHOGM 2011 Health Professionals to provide health care should be submitted to the Department of Health no later than 30 September 2011. An application received after this time is at risk of not being processed in time for the event.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and parallel events have been approved by the Western Australian Minister for Health as a special event under the Health Professionals (Special Events Exemption) Act 2000 from 22 October -1 November 2011. Please note: An additional process will be required to be completed if a Health Professional wishes to practice outside of the prescribed dates.

To apply to practice complete the following steps.

Step 1
Complete the online application form (PDF 32KB)

Step 2
Print the completed application form

Step 3
Make a copy of your credentials (qualifications/certificates) and your current registration.

Get the copies of all the documents certified as true and correct by an authorised person. For information on who can certify your documents see ‘Who can certify my documents'. (PDF 21KB)

Step 4
Print a copy of your Curriculum Vitae

Step 5
Print a copy of the CHOGM 2011 Special Events Exemption Statutory Declaration (PDF 28KB) and complete to declare that the copies of documents you are providing are true and correct.

Step 6
Post:
- a copy of the completed printed Application Form
- a certified copy of credentials (qualification/s certificates);
- a certified copy of current registration; and
- the completed ‘Visiting Health Professional Application for Special Events Exemption’ Statutory Declaration.

To:
Special Events Exemption Officer
Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit,
Department of Health
189 Royal Street,
East Perth. WA. 6004

The application will be reviewed and the applicant will be advised if their application has been successful, denied or if additional information is required.

WHERE TO GET FURTHER ADVICE?

General advice about the Act and its application to CHOGM can be obtained from:

Email: CHOGM.WAHealth@health.wa.gov.au

or

Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit,
Department of Health
189 Royal Street,
East Perth. WA. 6004

Telephone: (08) 9222 2067
Fax: (08) 9222 2304

Further advice on access to, and use of, therapeutic substances by visiting health professionals under the Act can be obtained from:

Pharmaceutical Services Branch
Disaster Management, Regulation and Planning Directorate
Public Health Division
Department of Health
189 Royal Street,
EAST PERTH WA 6004

Telephone: (08) 9222 6883
Fax: (08) 9222 2463

Email: poisons@health.wa.gov.au

For advice on the importation of therapeutic substances contact the Australian Customs Service at:

Customs Information and Support Centre
Custom House
2 Henry Street
Fremantle WA 6160

Telephone: 1300 558 287
Fax: (08) 9430 1391