Chaperone review
Find out more about Professor Paterson’s review of the use of chaperones to protect patients
In August 2016 the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) commissioned an independent review into the use of chaperones to protect patients in Australia.
The purpose of the review was to consider whether and if so in what circumstances it is appropriate to impose a chaperone condition on the registration of a health practitioner to protect patients while allegations of sexual misconduct are investigated.
The review was undertaken by Professor Ron Paterson, an international expert on patient rights, complaints, healthcare quality and the regulation of health professions. Our office provided Professor Paterson with the secretariat for the review.
There were 45 submissions made to Professor Paterson as part of the public consultation process.
The review was completed in February 2017 and Professor Paterson’s report is now publicly available.
About the review
Download and read the terms of reference of the review
Learn more about the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Chaperone Protocol
Support services
Discussions of sexual abuse can be distressing to survivors and their families. Support is available:
Lifeline: 131 114
National sexual assault, domestic violence counselling service: 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732
Beyond blue: 1300 224 636
Accessibility
If you require any special arrangements please contact us or visit our accessibility page.
Submissions
- 1 – ACT Health (PDF, 1.7MB)
- 2 – Australasian College of Dermatologists (PDF, 634KB)
- 3 – Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (PDF, 848KB)
- 4 – Australian Dental Association (PDF, 283KB)
- 5 – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Community Reference Group (PDF, 216KB)
- 6 – Australian Medical Association (PDF, 317KB)
- 7 – Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (PDF, 538KB)
- 8 – Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (PDF, 177KB)
- 9 – Avant Mutual Group Limited (PDF, 849KB)
- 10 – Confidential (Friend of patient)
- 11 – Confidential (Health department)
- 12 – Confidential (Health practitioner)
- 13 – Confidential (Health practitioner and patient)
- 14 – Confidential (Health practitioner and patient)
- 15 – Confidential (Health practitioners)
- 16 – Confidential (Health service)
- 17 – Confidential (Law firm)
- 18 – Confidential (Regulatory body)
- 19 – Consumers Health Forum of Australia (PDF, 230KB)
- 20 – Department of Health and Human Services (Tasmania) (PDF, 370KB)
- 21 – Department of Health (Northern Territory) (PDF, 232KB)
- 22 – Dr Mark Hersch (PDF, 207KB)
- 23 – Dr Susan Maccallum (PDF, 206KB)
- 24 – Dr Al McKay (PDF, 235KB)
- 25 – Dr Vern Madden (PDF, 898KB)
- 26 – Dr Sharon Monagle (PDF, 1.3MB)
- 27 – Dr David Ringelblum (PDF, 211KB)
- 28 – Mr Brian (surname not provided) (PDF, 137KB)
- 29 – Mr Alan Porter (PDF, 139KB)
- 30 – Mr Brian Stafford (PDF, 59KB)
- 31 – Ms Allison Bryant (PDF, 184KB)
- 32 – Ms Kathie Collins (PDF, 208KB)
- 33 – Ms Patricia Harper (PDF, 87KB)
- 34 – Ms Beth Wilson (PDF, 70KB)
- 35 – MDA National (PDF, 554KB)
- 36 – Medical Insurance Group Australia (PDF, 522KB)
- 37 – Name withheld (Daughter of patient) (PDF, 207KB)
- 38 – Name withheld (Health practitioner and patient) (PDF, 80KB)
- 38 A – Name withheld (Health practitioner and patient) – additional submission (PDF, 105KB)
- 39 – Office of the Health Ombudsman (Mr Leon Atkinson-MacEwen) (PDF, 255KB)
- 40 – Office of the Health Services Commissioner (Dr Grant Davies) (PDF, 2.3MB)
- 41 – Confidential
- 42 – Royal Australasian College of Physicians (PDF, 61KB)
- 43 – Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (PDF, 62KB)
- 44 – Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (PDF, 715KB)
- 45 – Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (PDF, 2MB)