Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Act 1995
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010
Western Australia
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010
Contents
Citation 1
Commencement 1
2A. Prescribed offences (Act s. 52B(3), 52H(3) and 52R(2)) 1
2B. Interstate orders prescribed (Act s. 52Q(1)) 2
Prescribed time (Act s. 75(1)) 3
Prescribed providers and classes of providers (Act s. 75(1)) 3
Return, form of (Act s. 75(2)) 4
Code of conduct prescribed (Act s. 77A) 4
Schedule 1 — Private hospitals
Schedule 1A — Prescribed offences
Division 1 — Offences under Australian Consumer Law
Division 2 — Offences under Children and Community Services Act 2004
Division 3 — Offences under The Criminal Code
Division 4 — Offences under Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991
Division 5 — Offences under Misuse of Drugs Act 1981
Division 6 — Offence under Prohibited Behaviour Orders Act 2010
Division 7 — Offences under Prostitution Act 2000
Division 7A — Offences under Public Health Act 2016
Division 8 — Offences under Restraining Orders Act 1997
Division 9 — Offences under Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019
Schedule 2 — Form
Annual return of complaints information 15
Schedule 3 — Code of conduct for certain health care workers
Health care workers to provide services in safe and ethical manner 23
Health care workers to obtain consent 24
Appropriate conduct in relation to treatment advice 24
Health care workers to report concerns about conduct of other health care workers 24
Health care workers to take appropriate action in response to adverse events 24
Health care workers to adopt standard precautions for infection control 25
Health care workers diagnosed with infectious medical conditions 25
Health care workers not to make claims to cure certain serious illnesses 26
Health care workers not to misinform clients 26
Health care workers not to practise under influence of alcohol or unlawful substances 26
Health care workers with certain mental or physical impairments 27
Health care workers not to financially exploit clients 27
Health care workers not to engage in sexual or other misconduct 27
Health care workers to comply with relevant privacy laws 28
Health care workers to keep appropriate records 28
Health care workers to have appropriate insurance 28
Health care workers to display code and other information 29
Notes
Compilation table 30
Other notes 31
Defined terms
Western Australia
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Act 1995
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010
1. Citation
These regulations are the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010.
[Regulation 1 inserted: Gazette 20 May 2011 p. 1838.]
2. Commencement
These regulations come into operation as follows —
(a) regulations 1 and 2 — on the day on which these regulations are published in the Gazette;
(b) the rest of the regulations — on the day after that day.
2A. Prescribed offences (Act s. 52B(3), 52H(3) and 52R(2))
(1) For the purposes of sections 52B(3)(a)(ii), 52H(3)(a)(ii) and 52R(2)(a)(ii) of the Act, each of the following is a prescribed offence —
(a) an offence specified in Schedule 1A;
(b) an offence of conspiracy, attempt or incitement to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) an offence against the law of the Commonwealth or of any place outside this State if the offender’s acts or omissions that constituted the offence under that law would have constituted an offence under paragraph (a) or (b) if they had occurred in this State.
(2) In Schedule 1A —
Australian Consumer Law means —
(a) the Australian Consumer Law as defined in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Commonwealth) section 4(1); and
(b) the Australian Consumer Law (WA) as defined in the Fair Trading Act 2010 section 17(1).
[Regulation 2A inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 4.]
2B. Interstate orders prescribed (Act s. 52Q(1))
(1) For the purposes of the definition of interstate interim prohibition order in section 52Q(1) of the Act, each of the following is an interstate interim prohibition order —
(a) an order under the Health and Community Services Complaints Act 2004 (South Australia) section 56B(2)(a) or (b);
(b) an order under the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 (New South Wales) section 41AA(1);
(c) an order under the Health Complaints Act 2016 (Victoria) section 90(1) or (1A);
(d) an order under the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (Queensland) section 68(1);
(e) an order under the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 (Australian Capital Territory) section 94G(1).
(2) For the purposes of the definition of interstate prohibition order in section 52Q(1) of the Act, each of the following is an interstate prohibition order —
(a) an order under the Health and Community Services Complaints Act 2004 (South Australia) section 56C(2)(a) or (b);
(b) an order under the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 (New South Wales) section 41A(2)(a);
(c) an order under the Health Complaints Act 2016 (Victoria) section 95(1) or (1A);
(d) an order under the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (Queensland) section 90C(1);
(e) an order under the Human Rights Commission Act 2005 (Australian Capital Territory) section 94H(1).
[Regulation 2B inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 4; amended: SL 2024/54 r. 4.]
3. Prescribed time (Act s. 75(1))
For the purposes of section 75(1) of the Act, the prescribed time is 31 days.
4. Prescribed providers and classes of providers (Act s. 75(1))
(1) For the purposes of section 75(1) of the Act, each of these is a prescribed provider —
(a) the chief executive officer of the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the Prisons Act 1981;
(b) the chief executive of St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd (ABN 55 028 468 715);
(c) the chief executive of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Western Operations);
(d) the chief executive of Silver Chain Nursing Association Incorporated.
(2) For the purposes of section 75(1) of the Act, each of these is a prescribed class of providers —
(a) the class comprising health service providers established by order under the Health Services Act 2016 section 32(1);
(b) the class comprising the people who manage or are the chief executives of the private hospitals listed in Schedule 1.
[Regulation 4 amended: Gazette 20 May 2011 p. 1838; 24 Jun 2016 p. 2314; SL 2023/115 r. 5.]
5. Return, form of (Act s. 75(2))
For the purposes of section 75(2) of the Act, the prescribed form is Form 1 in Schedule 2.
6. Code of conduct prescribed (Act s. 77A)
For the purposes of section 77A of the Act, the code of conduct set out in Schedule 3 applies to the provision of health services by —
(a) health care workers who are not registered providers; and
(b) health care workers who are registered providers and who provide health services that are unrelated to their registration.
[Regulation 6 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 6.]
Schedule 1 — Private hospitals
[r. 4(2)(b)]
[Heading inserted: Gazette 20 May 2011 p. 1838.]
Abbotsford Private Hospital
Albany Community Hospice
Attadale Private Hospital
Bethesda Hospital
Busselton Hospice Care Incorporated
Glengarry Private Hospital
Hollywood Private Hospital
Joondalup Health Campus
The Marian Centre
Mercy Hospital
Mount Hospital
Mount Lawley Private Hospital
Ngala Family Services
Peel Health Campus
Perth Clinic
South Perth Hospital
St John of God Hospital, Bunbury
St John of God Hospital, Geraldton
St John of God Hospital, Murdoch
St John of God Hospital, Subiaco
Subiaco Private Hospital Pty Limited
Waikiki Private Hospital
[Schedule 1 inserted: Gazette 20 May 2011 p. 1838-9.]
Schedule 1A — Prescribed offences
[r. 2A]
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 1 — Offences under Australian Consumer Law
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 151
False or misleading representations about goods or services
2.
s. 155
Misleading conduct as to the nature etc. of goods
3.
s. 156
Misleading conduct as to the nature etc. of services
[Division 1 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 2 — Offences under Children and Community Services Act 2004
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 101
Failing to protect child from harm
2.
s. 104A(2)
Body piercing on certain parts of child’s body
3.
s. 192
Employing child to perform in indecent, obscene or pornographic manner
[Division 2 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 3 — Offences under The Criminal Code
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 77
Conduct intended to incite racial animosity or racist harassment
2.
s. 78
Conduct likely to incite racial animosity or racist harassment
3.
s. 79
Possession of material for dissemination with intent to incite racial animosity or racist harassment
4.
s. 80
Possession of material for dissemination that is likely to incite racial animosity or racist harassment
5.
s. 80A
Conduct intended to racially harass
6.
s. 80B
Conduct likely to racially harass
7.
s. 80C
Possession of material for display with intent to racially harass
8.
s. 80D
Possession of material for display that is likely to racially harass
9.
s. 181
Carnal knowledge of animal
10.
s. 186
Occupier or owner allowing young person to be on premises for unlawful carnal knowledge
11.
s. 187
Facilitating sexual offence against child outside WA
12.
s. 190
Being involved with prostitution
13.
s. 191
Procuring person to be prostitute etc.
14.
s. 192
Procuring person to have unlawful carnal knowledge by threat, fraud or administering drug
[15. deleted]
16.
s. 204A
Showing offensive material to child under 16
17.
s. 204B
Using electronic communication to procure, or expose to indecent matter, child under 16
18.
s. 206
Supplying intoxicant to person likely to abuse them
19.
s. 214
Misconduct with regard to corpse
20.
s. 215
Interfering with corpse to hinder inquiry
21.
s. 217
Involving child in child exploitation
22.
s. 218
Producing child exploitation material
23.
s. 219
Distributing child exploitation material
24.
s. 220
Possession of child exploitation material
25.
s. 221BD
Distribution of intimate image
26.
s. 221E
Participating in activities of criminal organisation
27.
s. 221F
Instructing commission of offence for benefit of criminal organisation
28.
s. 279
Murder
29.
s. 280
Manslaughter
30.
s. 281
Unlawful assault causing death
31.
s. 283
Attempt to unlawfully kill
32.
s. 288
Procuring etc. suicide
33.
s. 290
Preventing birth of live child
34.
s. 291
Concealing birth of dead child
35.
s. 292
Disabling in order to commit indictable offence etc.
36.
s. 293
Stupefying in order to commit indictable offence etc.
37.
s. 294
Act intended to cause grievous bodily harm or prevent arrest
38.
s. 297
Grievous bodily harm
39.
s. 298
Suffocation and strangulation
40.
s. 300
Persistent family violence
41.
s. 301
Wounding and similar acts
42.
s. 304
Act or omission causing bodily harm or danger
43.
s. 305
Setting dangerous thing
44.
s. 305A
Intoxication by deception
45.
s. 306
Female genital mutilation
46.
s. 313
Common assault
47.
s. 317
Assault causing bodily harm
48.
s. 317A
Assault with intent
49.
s. 318
Serious assault
50.
s. 318A
Assault on aircraft’s crew
50A.
s. 318B
Assault on retail workers
51.
s. 320
Sexual offence against child under 13
52.
s. 321
Sexual offence against child of or over 13 and under 16
53.
s. 321A
Persistent sexual conduct with child under 16
54.
s. 322
Sexual offence against child of or over 16 by person in authority
55.
s. 323
Indecent assault
56.
s. 324
Aggravated indecent assault
57.
s. 325
Sexual penetration without consent
58.
s. 326
Aggravated sexual penetration without consent
59.
s. 327
Sexual coercion
60.
s. 328
Aggravated sexual coercion
61.
s. 329
Sexual offence by relative or the like
62.
s. 330
Sexual offence against incapable person
63.
s. 331B
Sexual servitude
64.
s. 331C
Conducting business involving sexual servitude
65.
s. 331D
Deceptive recruiting for commercial sexual service
66.
s. 332
Kidnapping
67.
s. 333
Deprivation of liberty
68.
s. 336
Procuring apprehension or detention of person not suffering from mental illness or impairment
69.
s. 337
Unlawful detention or custody of person who is mentally ill or impaired
70.
s. 338A
Threat with intent to gain etc.
71.
s. 338B
Threats
72.
s. 338C
Statement or act creating false apprehension as to existence of threat or danger
73.
s. 338E
Stalking
74.
s. 343
Child stealing
75.
s. 378
Stealing
76.
s. 392
Robbery
77.
s. 393
Assault with intent to rob
78.
s. 396
Demanding property with threats with intent to steal
79.
s. 397
Demanding property with threats with intent to extort or gain
80.
s. 398
Threats etc. with intent to extort etc.
81.
s. 399
Procuring execution of deed etc. by threat etc. with intent to defraud
82.
s. 401
Burglary
83.
s. 407
Person found armed etc. with intent to commit crime
84.
s. 409
Fraud
[Division 3 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7; amended: SL 2024/20 r. 4; SL 2024/145 r. 4.]
Division 4 — Offences under Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 6
Unlicensed practices
2.
s. 7
Offences relating to reproductive technology
[Division 4 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 5 — Offences under Misuse of Drugs Act 1981
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 6(1)
Crime concerned with prohibited drugs generally
2.
s. 7(1)
Crime concerned with prohibited plants generally
3.
s. 7B(4)
Selling drug paraphernalia to child
4.
s. 8Q
Manufacture, sale or supply of psychoactive substances
5.
s. 8R
Promoting psychoactive substances
6.
s. 14(1)
Possessing more than prescribed quantity of certain substances or things
[Division 5 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 6 — Offence under Prohibited Behaviour Orders Act 2010
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 35
Breach of prohibited behaviour order
[Division 6 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 7 — Offences under Prostitution Act 2000
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 7
Seeking to induce person to act as prostitute
2.
s. 16
Causing, permitting, or seeking to induce child to act as prostitute
3.
s. 17
Obtaining payment for prostitution by child
4.
s. 18
Agreement for prostitution by child
[Division 7 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 7A — Offences under Public Health Act 2016
[Heading inserted: SL 2024/20 r. 5.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 202MN
Performance of abortion by unqualified person
[Division 7A inserted: SL 2024/20 r. 5.]
Division 8 — Offences under Restraining Orders Act 1997
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 61(1)
Breach of family violence restraining order
2.
s. 61(1A)
Breach of violence restraining order
3.
s. 61(2a)
Breach of police order
[Division 8 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Division 9 — Offences under Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Item
Provision
Description of offence
1.
s. 99
Unauthorised administration of prescribed substance
2.
s. 100
Inducing another person to request or access voluntary assisted dying
3.
s. 101
Inducing self‑administration of prescribed substance
4.
s. 102
False or misleading information
[Division 9 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 7.]
Schedule 2 — Form
[r. 5]
Annual return of complaints information
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Act 1995 s. 75Annual return of complaints information
The information in this return must relate to complaints received by the provider in the year ending on the previous 30 June (whether or not the complaints were resolved in that year).
This return must be given to the Director of the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office by 31 July each year.
Name of provider[name]
Return year (e.g. 2009/2010)[year]
General information about complaints
Total number of complaints received [number]
Total number of complaints referred to another organisation [number]
Who made the complaints (the complainants) People who were users [number]
People who were acting on behalf of users [number]
Unknown [number]
Information about users who were complainants or on whose behalf complaints were made
Gender Male [number]
Female [number]
Unknown [number]
English First language [number]
Not first language [number]
Unknown [number]
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Yes [number]
No [number]
Unknown [number]
Age (years) 0‑9 [number]
10‑19 [number]
20‑29 [number]
30‑39 [number]
40‑49 [number]
50‑59 [number]
60‑69 [number]
70‑79 [number]
80‑89 [number]
90+ [number]
Unknown [number]
Residential postcode 6000‑6199 [number]
6200‑6299 [number]
6300‑6399 [number]
6400‑6499 [number]
6500‑6599 [number]
6600‑6699 [number]
6700‑6799 [number]
Other or unknown [number]
Information about complainants who were acting on behalf of users
Gender Male [number]
Female [number]
Unknown [number]
English First language [number]
Not first language [number]
Unknown [number]
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Yes [number]
No [number]
Unknown [number]
Age (years) 18‑29 [number]
30‑39 [number]
40‑49 [number]
50‑59 [number]
60‑69 [number]
70‑79 [number]
80‑89 [number]
90+ [number]
Unknown [number]
Residential postcode 6000‑6199 [number]
6200‑6299 [number]
6300‑6399 [number]
6400‑6499 [number]
6500‑6599 [number]
6600‑6699 [number]
6700‑6799 [number]
Other or unknown [number]
Categories of complaint
Access Delay in admission or treatment [number]
Waiting list delay [number]
Staff member or contractor unavailable [number]
Inadequate resources/lack of service [number]
Refusal to provide services [number]
Failure to provide advice about transport options [number]
Physical access/entry [number]
Parking [number]
Total[number]
Communication Inadequate information about diagnostic testing, treatment procedures and risks [number]
Inadequate information about services available [number]
Misinformation or failure in communication (but not failure to consult) [number]
Inadequate or inaccurate records [number]
Inadequate communication [number]
Inappropriate verbal/nonverbal communication [number]
Failure to listen to patient/client/carer/family [number]
Total[number]
Decision making Failure to consult patient/client [number]
Choice regarding admission as public or private patient [number]
Consent not informed [number]
Consent not obtained [number]
Consent invalid [number]
Total[number]
Quality of clinical care Inadequate assessment [number]
Inadequate treatment/therapy [number]
Poor coordination of treatment [number]
Failure to provide safe environment [number]
Pain [number]
Medication [number]
Complications after surgical procedure [number]
Complications after non-surgical procedure [number]
Inadequate infection control [number]
Patient’s test results not followed up [number]
Discharge or transfer arrangements [number]
Refusal to refer for or assist to obtain a second opinion [number]
Total[number]
Costs Inadequate information about costs [number]
Unsatisfactory billing practice [number]
Amount charged [number]
Over‑servicing [number]
Private health insurance [number]
Lost property [number]
Responsibility for costs and resourcing [number]
Total[number]
Rights, respect and dignity Patient rights [number]
Inconsiderate service/lack of courtesy [number]
Absence of caring [number]
Failure to ensure privacy [number]
Breach of confidentiality [number]
Discrimination [number]
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Mental Health Act 2014[number]
Translating and interpreting service problems [number]
Certificate or report problems [number]
Denying or restricting access to personal health records [number]
Cleaning (inadequate provision and maintenance of a clean environment) [number]
Inaccuracy of records [number]
Total[number]
Misconduct Fraud/illegal practice of a financial nature [number]
Illegal practices (e.g. abortion, sterilisation or euthanasia) [number]
Physical or mental impairment of health professional [number]
Sexual impropriety (behaviour that is sexually demeaning to a patient/client including comments or gestures) [number]
Sexual misconduct [number]
Aggression/assault [number]
Unprofessional behaviour (e.g. shouting, swearing, inappropriate comments or gestures) [number]
Total[number]
Carers Failure to consider needs of carer [number]
Failure to consult carer [number]
Failure to treat carer with respect and dignity [number]
Failure to address carer’s complaint [number]
Total[number]
Information about resolving complaints
Outcome of complaints Concern registered [number]
Explanation provided [number]
Apology provided [number]
Costs refunded/reduced [number]
Compensation paid [number]
Services provided [number]
Change in practice/procedure effected [number]
Change in policy effected [number]
Counselling and/or performance support and development provided to staff member or contractor [number]
Complaints withdrawn by complainants [number]
Complaints not yet resolved [number]
Time (days) taken to resolve complaints 0‑15 [number]
16‑30 [number]
31‑60 [number]
61‑90 [number]
91‑120 [number]
121‑150 [number]
151‑180 [number]
181‑210 [number]
211+ [number]
[Schedule 2 amended: Gazette 20 May 2011 p. 1839; 29 Dec 2015 p. 5173.]
Schedule 3 — Code of conduct for certain health care workers
[r. 6]
[Heading inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to provide services in safe and ethical manner
(1) A health care worker must provide health services in a safe and ethical manner.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a health care worker must comply with the following —
(a) a health care worker must maintain the necessary competence in their field of practice;
(b) a health care worker must not provide health services of a type that is outside their experience or training, or provide services that they are not qualified to provide;
(c) a health care worker must only prescribe or recommend treatments or appliances that serve the needs of clients;
(d) a health care worker must recognise the limitations of the treatment they can provide and refer clients to other competent providers in appropriate circumstances;
(e) a health care worker must recommend to clients that additional opinions and services be sought, if appropriate;
(f) a health care worker must assist a client to find other appropriate health services, if required and practicable;
(g) a health care worker must encourage clients to inform their treating medical practitioner (if any) of the treatments or care being provided;
(h) a health care worker must have a sound understanding of any possible adverse interactions between the medications, therapies and treatments being provided or prescribed and any other medications, therapies or treatments, whether prescribed or not, that the worker is, or should be, aware that a client is taking or receiving, and advise the client of these interactions;
(i) a health care worker must provide health services in a manner that is culturally sensitive to the needs of clients.
[Clause 1 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to obtain consent
Prior to commencing a treatment or other health service, a health care worker must ensure that consent appropriate to that treatment or service has been obtained and complies with the laws applying in this State.
[Clause 2 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Appropriate conduct in relation to treatment advice
(1) A health care worker must accept the right of clients to make informed choices in relation to their health care.
(2) A health care worker must not attempt to dissuade a client from seeking or continuing medical treatment.
(3) A health care worker must communicate and cooperate with colleagues and other providers and agencies in the best interests of clients.
[Clause 3 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to report concerns about conduct of other health care workers
A health care worker who, in the course of providing health services, forms the reasonable belief that another health care worker has placed or is placing clients at serious risk of harm must refer the matter to the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office.
[Clause 4 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to take appropriate action in response to adverse events
(1) A health care worker must take appropriate and timely measures to minimise harm to clients when an adverse event occurs in the course of providing health services.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a health care worker must —
(a) ensure that appropriate first aid is available to deal with any adverse event; and
(b) obtain appropriate emergency assistance in the event of any serious adverse event; and
(c) promptly disclose the adverse event to the client and take appropriate remedial steps to reduce the risk of recurrence; and
(d) report the adverse event to the relevant authority, if appropriate.
[Clause 5 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to adopt standard precautions for infection control
(1) A health care worker must adopt standard precautions for the control of infection in the course of providing health services.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a health care worker who carries out a skin penetration or other invasive procedure must comply with the Health (Skin Penetration Procedure) Regulations 1998.
[Clause 6 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers diagnosed with infectious medical conditions
(1) A health care worker who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that can be passed on to clients must ensure that they practise in a manner that does not put clients at risk.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a health care worker who has been diagnosed with a medical condition that can be passed on to clients must take and follow advice from a suitably qualified registered health practitioner on the necessary steps to be taken to modify their practice to avoid the possibility of transmitting that condition to clients.
[Clause 7 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers not to make claims to cure certain serious illnesses
(1) A health care worker must not claim or represent that they are qualified, able or willing to cure cancer or terminal or incurable illnesses.
(2) A health care worker who claims to be able to treat or alleviate the symptoms of cancer or terminal or incurable illnesses must be able to substantiate the claims.
[Clause 8 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers not to misinform clients
(1) A health care worker must not engage in any form of misinformation or misrepresentation in relation to the products or services they provide or the qualifications, training or professional affiliations they hold.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1) —
(a) a health care worker must not use their possession of a particular qualification to mislead or deceive clients or the public as to their competence in a field of practice or ability to provide treatment; and
(b) a health care worker must provide truthful information as to their qualifications, training or professional affiliations; and
(c) a health care worker must not make claims either directly to clients or in advertising or promotional materials about the efficacy of treatments or other health services they provide if those claims cannot be substantiated.
[Clause 9 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers not to practise under influence of alcohol or unlawful substances
(1) A health care worker must not provide health services to clients while under the influence of alcohol or unlawful substances.
(2) A health care worker who is taking prescribed medication must obtain advice from the prescribing health practitioner or dispensing pharmacist on the impact of the medication on their ability to practise and must refrain from providing health services to clients in circumstances where their capacity is or may be impaired.
[Clause 10 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers with certain mental or physical impairments
(1) A health care worker must not provide health services to clients while suffering from a mental or physical impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including an addiction to alcohol or a drug, whether or not prescribed) that places or is likely to place clients at risk of harm.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1), if a health care worker has a mental or physical impairment, disability, condition or disorder that could place clients at risk, the health care worker must seek advice from a suitably qualified health practitioner to determine whether, and in what ways, they should modify their practice, including stopping practice if necessary.
[Clause 11 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers not to financially exploit clients
(1) A health care worker must not financially exploit clients.
(2) Without limiting subclause (1) —
(a) a health care worker must only provide treatments or other health services to clients that are designed to maintain or improve clients’ health or wellbeing; and
(b) a health care worker must not accept or offer financial inducements or gifts as a part of client referral arrangements with other health care workers; and
(c) a health care worker must not ask clients to give, lend or bequeath money or gifts that will benefit the health care worker directly or indirectly.
[Clause 12 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers not to engage in sexual or other misconduct
(1) A health care worker must not engage in behaviour of a sexual or close personal nature with a client.
(2) A health care worker must not engage in a sexual or inappropriate close personal, physical or emotional relationship with a client.
(3) A health care worker must ensure that a reasonable period of time has elapsed since the conclusion of the therapeutic relationship before engaging in a relationship of a kind referred to in subclause (2) with a former client.
[Clause 13 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to comply with relevant privacy laws
A health care worker must comply with the relevant privacy laws that apply to clients’ health information, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth).
[Clause 14 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to keep appropriate records
(1) A health care worker must maintain accurate, legible and up‑to‑date clinical records for each client consultation and ensure that these are held securely and not subject to unauthorised access.
(2) A health care worker must take necessary steps to facilitate clients’ access to information contained in their health records if requested.
(3) A health care worker must facilitate the transfer of a client’s health record in a timely manner when requested to do so by the client or their legal representative.
[Clause 15 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to have appropriate insurance
A health care worker must ensure that appropriate indemnity insurance arrangements are in place in relation to their practice.
[Clause 16 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
Health care workers to display code and other information
(1) A health care worker must display or make available a copy of each of the following documents at all premises where the health care worker carries on their practice —
(a) a copy of this code of conduct;
(b) a document that gives information about the way in which clients may make a complaint to the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office.
(2) Copies of the documents referred to in subclause (1) must be displayed or made available in a manner that makes them easily visible or accessible to clients.
(3) This clause does not apply in relation to any of the following premises —
(a) premises of a health service provider as defined in the Health Services Act 2016 section 6;
(b) a private hospital, other than a nursing home, as those terms are defined in the Private Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927 section 2(1);
(c) premises of St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd (ABN 55 028 468 715);
(d) premises of an approved provider as defined in the Aged Care Act 1997 (Commonwealth) Schedule 1 clause 1.
[Clause 17 inserted: SL 2023/115 r. 8.]
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Notes
This is a compilation of the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010 and includes amendments made by other written laws. For provisions that have come into operation, and for information about any reprints, see the compilation table.
Compilation table
Citation
Published
Commencement
Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Regulations 2010 1
21 May 2010 p. 2159-73
r. 1 and 2: 21 May 2010 (see r. 2(a)); Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 22 May 2010 (see r. 2(b))
Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Amendment Regulations 2011
20 May 2011 p. 1837-9
r. 1 and 2: 20 May 2011 (see r. 2(a)); Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 21 May 2011 (see r. 2(b))
Reprint 1: The Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010 as at 12 Aug 2011 (includes amendments listed above)
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Regulations 2015
29 Dec 2015 p. 5172‑3
r. 1 and 2: 29 Dec 2015 (see r. 2(a)); Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 30 Dec 2015 (see r. 2(b))
Health Services (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 Pt. 6
24 Jun 2016 p. 2311‑15
1 Jul 2016 (see r. 2 and Gazette 24 Jun 2016 p. 2291)
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Regulations 2023
SL 2023/115 26 Jul 2023
r. 1 and 2: 26 Jul 2023 (see r. 2(a)); Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 27 Jul 2023 (see r. 2(b))
Health Regulations Amendment (Abortion Legislation Reform) Regulations 2024 Pt. 2
SL 2024/20 21 Feb 2024
27 Mar 2024 (see r. 2(b))
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Regulations 2024
SL 2024/54 1 May 2024
r. 1 and 2: 1 May 2024 (see r. 2(a)); Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 2 May 2024 (see r. 2(b))
Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2024
SL 2024/145 10 Jul 2024
r. 1 and 2: 10 Jul 2024 (see r. 2(a)); Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 15 Jul 2024 (see r. 2(b))
Other notes
1 Now known as the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Regulations 2010; citation changed (see note under r. 1).
Defined terms
[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). To view relevant information and for a link to a copy of the licence, visit www.legislation.wa.gov.au.