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New National Registration Scheme - making private details public!

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Author New National Registration Scheme - making private details public!

mariesoma

(offline)

  • Joined: Apr 2010
  • Location: Victoria
  • Posts: 6

Fri Apr 30, 2010 5:04 pm

Hi all I am a new member to Nurse Central - I have been an enrolled nurse for the past seven years and am currently in my final year of the Bachelor of Nursing (to become a Registered Nurse) - was feeling especially upset with the new national registration scheme and was wondering if anyone was feeling like I am.

Got the letter for the new scheme in the mail the other day and I am dismayed to see that my Surname, Middle Name, First Name, Qualifications, Endorsements and suburb of practice (or if I do not practice or practice from one address - such as agency nurses - I must put my suburb of residence) - all of which will be available for the public to see. I am very concerned by this breech in my privacy.

The Australia Health Practioner Regulation Agency, have informed me that my details need to be available to protect the public - but as a member of the public, who is protecting me? The person I spoke to at AHPRA said I need to forward a letter to the board with a damn good excuse before they will remove my name and details from public viewing. Otherwise I must have my details splashed on the net in order to register.

I have also spoken to the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) who say they cannot do anything as it has been passed as legislation - Health Practioner Regulation (Administrative Arrangments) National Law Act 2008.

The Nurses Board of Victoria - also state that the power is out of their hands, although they did say that they attempted to lobby to have the suburb removed from the register but were unsuccessful.

I may have a case with the Federal Privacy Commisioner as the new law may contravene the Privacy Act - but would need to wait until a formal reply from the AHPRA is recieved or 30 days has lapsed since sending them a letter.

Anyways - anyone else feel annoyed by this breech in privacy? Couldn't we just go by a number and if public have issues they could contact board who could investigate, without disclosing the nurse's details? Otherwise what I am paying the new board for?

jules74

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  • Joined: Jan 2008
  • Location:
  • Posts: 135

May 25, 2010, 06:51 pm

hi, im a student nurse who'll be qualified by the end of the year, and i wasnt aware that the new national board will be displaying the suburb where you work or live?? (the latter if you are mainly an agency nurse). Ive read a heap of info on the website about the changes etc but somehow have managed to miss that piece of info.

i have to say i dont have an issue with having my full name and registration number on the public register once im qualified. my mum is also a nurse and ive always known that that kind of info is readily available to the public on the NBV website. And to b honest as a member of the public i AM glad that if i want/need to, i can check the register any time and check that a nurse is infact registered and also if that nurse has any restrictions placed on them.

im not certain how comfortable i am with the 'location' info though..... i might have to think about the consequences of that for a bit.... and id like to know the logic behind this info being provided?? has anyone told you? it wouldnt bother me if it said what State you were practising in, just to narrow down the area.....but the actual suburb is maybe a bit too much of a privacy issue.

jules

mariesoma

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  • Joined: Apr 2010
  • Location: Victoria
  • Posts: 6

May 26, 2010, 02:29 pm Last edited May 26, 2010, 02:29 pm update #1

these details they require for the new public register where requested with a mail out to Nurses' already holding registration so their details could be confirmed - so that is why this isn't available on website etc and why you haven't heard of it as a student. In the mail out they ask for details to be confirmed or amended and rather deceptively ask for a signature at the end of the form - according to the secretary to the Federal Privacy Ombidsmun that I contacted you cannot publish an individuals details without their permission - so that is what the signature is for - but this reason is not stated on the form.

I suppose all new registrants like yourself will have to supply details for the register too at the time that you apply for registration.

I contacted the new board and asked why these details including the suburb are necessary for the public register - and no proper explanation was given except to say that they must protect the public! Well I would argue that Nurses' are a member of the public too and as such need to be protected also. The new board also made it clear to me that I had to comply with this requirement otherwise I cannot register and then cannot work - the person I spoke to was rude as well and automatically suggested I must have a mark against my registration and that is why I was complaining!! For the record I do not!

Anyways I figure if enough Nurses' object then something could be done. I still don't see how this protects the public - if the public want to check if I am registered can't they just contact the board and the board can check and follow up with disciplinary action if I am not - my personal details don't need to be disclosed. This is just idiotic - we wouldn't go releasing the details for a prison officer or a police officer so why would we release Nurses' details???

modified: Wednesday 26 May 2010 2:33:31 pm - mariesoma

pricilla

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  • Joined: May 2009
  • Location:
  • Posts: 51

May 29, 2010, 03:06 pm

I agree ! I know that name and EN or RN have always been available .But to have the suburb is just not nessesary ! Any weirdo we have come into contact with can see our suburb ! My husband is in the police and his suburb details arent listed anywhere for just anyone to look up!

mariesoma

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  • Joined: Apr 2010
  • Location: Victoria
  • Posts: 6

May 30, 2010, 12:50 am

mmm wonder if this Kevin Rudd's idea as part of the Health Reforms - is this how he is going about recruiting more Nurses???

Cause this sucks seriously - just think about the consequences even for Mental Health Nurses who work in a custodial role - whats the deal?? Law makers just don't think - or we Nurses' are just getting walked over yet again!

kath

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  • Joined: Feb 2009
  • Location:
  • Posts: 1

Jun 18, 2010, 10:30 pm

I'm a PCA & intend to become a DIV2 one day & I cannot believe this. It's a total breech of our privacy. Someday someone is going to upset the wrong person & pay dearly, not to mention the implications for fraud. I personally feel it sends out a message that nurses are fair game. In every other aspect of our lives we are discouraged to give out such personal details. I don't think it's at all safe

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