Election
Nominations for the election of four chiropractors and one osteopath to the Chiropractic & Osteopathy Board of South Australia closed at 12noon on Tuesday 9 June 2009. At that time the Returning Officer had received fewer nominations than the number of positions to be filled. Therefore in accordance with Election Regulations, nominations were extended to 12noon on Monday 22 June 2009.

At the close of the extended nomination period the Returning Officer had received nominations from four chiropractors and one osteopath. Therefore in accordance with the Election Regulations the Returning Officer declared the following nominated persons to be elected the Chiropractic & Osteopathy Board of South Australia:

Chiropractors:

Kendall Ward Leembruggen

Charles Fred Williamson

Geoffrey Stephen McCann

Kathryn Lucy Quigley

Osteopath:

Luke Daniel Rickards

National Registration
On 12 June 2009 the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council released the exposure draft of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009 (“Bill B”). This Bill sets out the legal framework for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professions in Australia which is to commence from 1 July 2010.

The exposure draft, along with other relevant documents, is available from the National Health Workforce Taskforce website at: http://www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp by 17 July 2009.

The Ministerial Council has invited comments from the public, health practitioners and other stakeholders in response to the exposure draft. Written submissions should be sent in electronic form to the National Registration and Accreditation Implementation Project at nraip@dhs.vic.gov.au

The Bill is expected to be introduced in the Queensland Parliament later this year. Once the legislation is passed in Queensland draft legislation will be introduced in all State Parliaments in order to adopt the new National Law.

Advertising
The Board continues to receive complaints about chiropractors’ advertising. The Board is particularly concerned about the use of testimonials, pre and post postural photographs and discounted fee claims. The Board’s guidelines on these matters are detailed in a new Notice to the Profession which can be viewed/downloaded by clicking on the following link: Download Notice to the Profession - July 2009

All registered chiropractors must take note of these guidelines and are reminded that failure to comply the Board’s guidelines and the Code of Professional Conduct & Practice may lead to disciplinary action and a finding of unprofessional conduct.