Many
people believe the APodA are solely responsible
for handling all the queries
and concerns about podiatry practice in
Victoria. However there are a number of other
bodies which also have specific responsibilities
in these matters. To ensure you contact the
right organisation take a look at the following
list.
Australian
Podiatry Association of Victoria
Podiatrists
Registration Board of Victoria
Health
Services Commissioner
Private
Health Insurance Complaints Commissioner
Department
of Human Services
Victorian
Schools of Podiatry
Australian
Podiatry Association of Victoria
The Australian Podiatry Association is capable
of answering most of your queries about the
Podiatry profession. The APodA also deals with
ethical complaints against its members. This may
include issues between a patient and a
podiatrist or issues between two podiatrists.
The
APodA can be contacted at:
Australian Podiatry
Association (Victoria)
Suite 26/456 St.Kilda Road
Melbourne, VIC 3004
Phone: (03) 9866 5906
Fax: (03) 9866 2094
Email: apoda@podiatryvic.com.au
Podiatrists
Registration Board of Victoria
This Board is a statutory authority, which is
established under the Podiatrists Registration
Act to protect the community from unqualified,
incompetent or unprofessional podiatrists.
The
purpose of the Act is to:
- protect the public by registering podiatrists;
- investigate the professional conduct and
fitness to practice of registered podiatric
practitioners;
- regulate the advertising of podiatry services.
The
Board can be contacted at:
Mr Mark Strickland, Registrar
PO Box 70
Collins Street West,
West Melbourne, VIC 8007
Ph: 03 9286 1888
Fax: 03 9286 1880
Email:registrar@podboardvic.vic.gov.au
Web:
www.podbaordvic.vic.gov.au
All qualified podiatrists must register with the
Board before they practise, so if you are
looking for a particular podiatrist, this is the
place to call.
Health
Services Commissioner
The Health Services Commissioner is the State's
Health Ombudsman.
The
purpose of the Commissioner is to provide:
- an independent and accessible review mechanism
for users of health services;
- a means for reviewing and improving the
quality of care.
The
Commissioner conciliates complaints between
patients and providers, investigates serious
complaints and recommends action needed to
improve health services. You may go to the
Commissioner if you have a complaint about
services received from dentists, medical
practitioners, hospitals, physiotherapists,
podiatrists, occupational therapists, social
workers in a health setting, ambulances, nursing
homes, hostels, supported residential services,
nurses, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and other
alternative practitioners.
The
Commissioner can liaise with the Podiatrists
Registration Board of Victoria. The Commissioner
can be contacted at:
Mrs Beth Wilson,
Health Services Commissioner
30th Floor, 570 Bourke St
Melbourne 3000
Telephone:
(03) 8601 5222
Facsimile:
(03) 8601 5219
Complaints:
(03) 8601 5200 or 1800 136 066
Email:
hsc@dhs.vic.gov.au
Internet:
www.health.vic.gov.au/hsc
Private
Health Insurance Complaints Commissioner
Based in Sydney, the PHICC was established by
the Federal Government to provide an independent
means for consumers to resolve problems with
their health funds and to provide accountability
for the industry. If you have a query about
misleading advertising or payment on a claim,
call:
Telephone:
1800
640 695
Department
of Human Services
This is the health department of the Victorian
Government. It is a megadepartment with
responsibility for implementing the health
policy of the Victorian Government.
Department of Human Services
555 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Telephone: (03)
9616 7777
Facsimile:
(03) 9616 7929
Internet:
http://hna.ffh.vic.gov.au
The
current Victorian Health Minister is, the Hon.
John Thwaites, MLA.
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