The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has launched a new five-year strategy for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, promising to strengthen public protection and support an evolving health system.
Aphra said the National Scheme Strategy 2031 has three priorities: effective harm prevention, a culturally safe health system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and a sustainable health workforce.
We know we can’t stand still. We have to take stock and make sure we’re in step with what’s next – for health consumers, health workers and the health of the system
Launching the strategy, Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said the three priorities would “guide every decision and investment we make to ensure Ahpra can continue its vital work of protecting the public for years to come”.
Mr Untersteiner said that, as stewards of the National Scheme, Ahpra and the National Boards played a crucial role in ensuring Australians could continue to have faith in their health system.
“We have a proven ability to effectively register and regulate health practitioners in Australia. This is our core business and our commitment to public protection has never been in doubt,” he said.
“But we know we can’t stand still. We have to take stock and make sure we’re in step with what’s next – for health consumers, health workers, and the health of the system.”
Under the Strategy, the National Scheme will elevate community voices to ensure people of all backgrounds, faiths, cultures, ages, and identities can access safe healthcare, with all interactions to be timely, transparent, straightforward, and empathetic.
Mr Untersteiner said the Strategy would be underpinned by “robust governance and collaborative leadership… (enabling) Ahpra and other stakeholders to remain agile and vigilant to emerging issues”.
Ahpra Board Chair Gill Callister said the importance of collaboration and partnership in healthcare regulation could not be overstated.
“Our ability to protect the public and support a safe, skilled health workforce depends on National Scheme partners working together in a coordinated and constructive way,” Ms Callister said.
The National Scheme Strategy 2031 is available online.
