Have your say on accreditation bodies

By Rhiannon Riches
Assistant Editor

The future function and role of accreditation bodies like the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) is under review, with an independent report and discussion paper highlighting the possibility of a more common approach to standards.

A consultation meeting to discuss how to create the health workforce that Australia needs now and into the future took place in Melbourne on 16 March.

Representatives from Optometry Australia, OCANZ and the Optometry Board of Australia attended.

The Accreditation Systems Review is looking at ways to improve efficiency and avert duplication not only between professions but also between health and other accrediting bodies as universities undergo other accreditations that are not specific to health professions.

Individual practitioners, in addition to Optometry Australia, can make submissions to the COAG Health Council Accreditation Systems Review. The deadline for submissions is 1 May.

Professor Michael Woods has been appointed as the Independent Reviewer and will be supported by a small project team based in Melbourne.

View the Independent Review of Accreditation Systems within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professions Discussion Paper.

Visit the website for information.