Code of Conduct - Non-registered Health Practitioners

The NSW Code of Conduct for non-registered health practitioners is set out in Schedule 3 of the Public Health Regulation

The Code of Conduct for non-registered health practitioners sets out the minimum practice and ethical standards that non-registered health service providers must comply with. The Code also informs consumers what they can expect from health practitioners. Consumers can lodge a complaint with the Commission if they have concerns about the conduct or services delivered by an non-registered health service provider.

KEY ASPECTS OF THE CODE

The Code of Conduct applies to a health practitioner who is not a registered health practitioner and to a registered health practitioner who provides health services unrelated to their registration.

Non-registered health practitioners:

• must provide health services in a safe and ethical manner including within accepted professional standards and within their experience, training and qualifications
• if diagnosed with an infectious medical condition, must ensure they practise in a manner that does not put clients at risk
• must not make claims to cure cancer or other terminal or incurable illnesses 
• must adopt standard precautions for infection control
• must not dissuade clients from seeking or continuing with treatment by a registered medical practitioner and must accept the rights of their clients to make informed choices in relation to their health care
• must not practise under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• must not practise with certain physical or mental conditions
• must not financially exploit clients and must not accept or offer certain financial inducements or gifts
• are required to have an adequate clinical basis for treatments
• must not misinform their clients about themselves or their practice
• must not engage in a sexual or close relationship with a client
• must keep appropriate records
• must keep appropriate insurance
• must create appropriate policies and procedures to ensure client confidentiality and privacy and comply with them
• must display code and other information (with some exceptions)
• must not sell or supply optical appliances without proper prescription, authorisation and in the case of contact lenses, appropriate advice

POWER OF THE COMMISSION

The Commission manages complaints about non-registered health practitioners in NSW. If the Commission finds that a provider has breached the Code of Conduct and poses a risk to the health or safety of members of the public it can:

• issue an order prohibiting the person from providing health services for a period of time or permanently.
• issue an order placing conditions on the provision of health services.
• make a public statement identifying and giving warnings or information about the health practitioner and health services provided by the health practitioner.