ABSTRACT
In 1984, a Health Complaints Unit was established in New South Wales within the Health Department. In Australia registered health professionals are regulated by professional boards established in each of the states and territories. In all states and territories a process exists of 'sharing' health complaints between the health complaints commissioners and the relevant professional registration boards. Health care complaints commissioners have jurisdiction over all health service providers including those not registered by a statutory authority. While sexual misconduct by a registered provider may be dealt with by a registration board, this sanction is not available in the case of a non-registered provider, such as a counsellor or some psychotherapists. A variety of responses exist to deal with misconduct by medical and other health practitioners. Disciplinary proceedings are now usually open to the public and practitioners accused of unprofessional conduct are identified unless suppression orders are granted.
