Self Regulation

Updated Aug 8, 2005

The ASA is preparing for the Self Regulation of accredited providers, such as - 

a) Ministers, Mediums and Speakers, and

b) Healers, Readers and Trainers, .

There are a number of requirements for Self Regulation.

The ASA first met with the TGA on Feb 22, 2005 and held further discussions on May 5th, 2005.

Self Regulation includes the issues published on March 9th, 2005. That  document

http://www.tga.gov.au/cm/cmresponse.htm

details the Government Response to the recommendations made by the Expert Committee on Complementary Medicines http://www.tga.gov.au/cm/cmresponse.pdf

Recommendation 29, (Page 13 & 14)

29 All (State) jurisdictions adopt the following as necessary attributes of effective, transparent and accountable self-regulatory structures for complementary healthcare practitioners:
(a) a certification system which incorporates

i. appropriate standards of training for membership, established via a consultative

   process with the profession and endorsed by the relevant educational / industry

   authorities
ii. an established, transparent procedure for assessing practitioner qualifications,

   incorporating an examination where necessary
iii. effective incentives to ensure practitioners seek and maintain certification
iv. annual requirements for continuing professional development as a condition of

    continued certification
(b) a code of ethics with which certified practitioners agree to comply
(c) effective procedures for receiving, investigating and resolving consumer

     complaints
(d) an established disciplinary system for enforcing conduct and continuing

     professional development requirements, able to investigate and apply sanctions

     where necessary, together with a process for appeals

(e) effective incentives for compliance with codes of practice as well as sanctions

     for non-compliance with standards of practice and other membership

     requirements
(f) external scrutiny and involvement of experts who are not members of the

    profession, to promote transparency, accountability and credibility.
Noted. The Government notes that this is a State and Territory responsibility, and will bring the matter to the attention of the States and Territories through the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference.
 

For the Quality System, the following Registers will be established -

•         Healers -          Name, Date of ASA accreditation and Modality of Healing,

•         Products -       Details of all Products used and Supplier,

•         Devices -         Details of all Devices used and Sponsor,

•         Complaints -   Details of justified complaints under investigation,

•         Incidents -       Occurrences contrary to expectations on Products and Devices

•         Recalls -           Recall of Products and Devices for defect or side-effects reasons

•         News -              News items for Healers, Health and Well-being

•         Definitions -    Clarification on healing terms, titles and names of products, etc

Please note that these Registers are not yet operational.

This provides for a quality and safe service delivered with empathy and ensured efficacy.

It is  a system of monitoring Services, including Products and Devices used only by Inspired Spiritual and Psychic Healers accredited by the ASA.

The aim is to raise the confidence of the public and medical profession in our use of Natural Therapies.

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