Sch 2General code of conduct in respect of general health services

Schedule 2—General code of conduct in respect of general health services

1 General health service providers to provide services in a safe and ethical manner

(1) A general health service provider must provide general health services in a safe and ethical manner.

(2) Without limiting subclause (1), general health service providers must comply with the following—

(a) a general health service provider must maintain the necessary competence in the provider's field of practice;

(b) a general health service provider must not provide a health service of a type that is outside the provider's experience or training, or provide services that the provider is not qualified to provide;

(c) a general health service provider must only prescribe or recommend treatments or appliances that serve the needs of clients;

(d) a general health service provider must recognise the limitations of the treatment the provider can provide and refer clients to other competent health service providers in appropriate circumstances;

(e) a general health service provider must recommend to clients that additional opinions and services be sought, where appropriate;

(f) a general health service provider must assist a client to find other appropriate health care services, if required and practicable;

(g) a general health service provider must encourage clients to inform their treating medical practitioner (if any) of the treatments or care being provided;

(h) a general health service provider must have a sound understanding of any possible adverse interactions between the therapies and treatments being provided or prescribed and any other medications or treatments, whether prescribed or not, that the provider is, or should be, aware that a client is taking or receiving, and advise the client of these interactions;

(i) a general health service provider must provide general health services in a manner that is culturally sensitive to the needs of the provider's clients.

2 General health service providers to obtain consent

Prior to commencing a treatment or service, a general health service provider must ensure that consent appropriate to that treatment or service has been obtained and complies with the laws applying in Victoria.

3 Appropriate conduct in relation to treatment advice

(1) A general health service provider must accept the right of the provider's clients to make informed choices in relation to the health services the client seeks or receives.

(2) A general health service provider must not attempt to dissuade a client from seeking or continuing medical treatment.