The Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO) recognises the profound impact family violence has on public health and is committed to responding in our capacity as a regulator of both registered and unregistered health practitioners in Queensland.

The OHO, Ahpra and the National Boards, Health Professionals Council Authority and New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission have issued a Joint position on family violence by regulators of health practitioners.

To support this joint statement, the OHO has published a position statement on family violence, outlining the implications on both registered and unregistered practitioners who use family violence.

“Any form of family violence by a health practitioner is unacceptable,” Health Ombudsman Dr Lynne Coulson Barr OAM said.

“The conduct of health practitioners in all aspects of their lives impacts public trust and confidence in their provision of safe and effective healthcare services,” Dr Coulson Barr said.

Implications for health practitioners who are alleged to have used or are convicted of using family violence, may include restrictions on their ability to practice, suspension or cancellation of registration (registered practitioners) or their ability to continue to provide health services (unregistered practitioners).

Any person aware of a health practitioner engaging in family violence is encouraged to provide information to the OHO.

Victim-survivors will be supported respectfully and sensitively through the health complaint process, to minimise additional trauma or exposing them to further risk.

The OHO will continue to work with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Ahpra through an existing agreement and be notified when a health practitioner is the subject of family violence allegations or charges.

This position statement also supports the OHO’s commitment to the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016-2026 and the effort to end family violence.

All media enquiries can be directed to media@oho.qld.gov.au.

View the OHO’s position statement on family violence