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The Policy for Credentialling and Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners (2nd Edition)

The Policy for Credentialling and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners (Credentialling Policy), released by the Office Safety and Quality in Health Care (OSQH)  in March 2007 has been updated and re-issued. 

The following sections of the Credentialling Policy have been expanded and/or amended to better clarify:

• which groups of medical practitioners must be credentialled by WA Hospitals/Health Services (Section 2.2);
• the different procedures that are to be followed for credentialling (Section 3.1) and defining the scope of clinical practice (Section 3.2) for Australian/New Zealand trained medical practitioners or International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
• the different pathways that are to be followed by WA Hospitals/Health Services during the recruitment, selection, appointment, engagement and credentialling of Australian/New Zealand trained medical practitioners (Section 4.2.1) or International Medical Graduates (IMGs) (Section 4.2.2)
• the process for mutually recognising the credentials (Section 5.4.3) and scope of clinical practice of medical practitioners (Section 3.2.8) in one or more WA Hospitals/Health Services.

The updated Policy for Credentialling and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners supersedes Operational Directive OD 0035/07 and may be accessed on the OSQH website at:

http://www.safetyandquality.health.wa.gov.au/initiatives/accred_cred.cfm

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The Policy for Credentialling and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners represents the minimum standards and requirements for credentialling and defining the scope of clinical practice that must be implemented in all WA public Hospitals/Health Services.  

It is expected that Area/Statewide Health Services will implement the Policy for Credentialling and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners in all WA public Hospitals/Health Services.  In implementing the Policy, Area/Statewide Health Services will also ensure that:

• All WA Hospitals/Health Services establish processes for credentialling and defining/awarding the scope of clinical practice for medical practitioners
• All medical practitioners who are practising as independent medical practitioners are credentialled and have a defined scope of clinical practice prior to appointment to a WA public Hospital/Health Service.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All enquiries about the Policy for Credentialling and Defining the Scope of Clinical Practice for Medical Practitioners should be directed to the Office of Safety and Quality in Healthcare on (08) 9222 4080 or e-mail: safetyandquality@health.wa.gov.au

Drq Peter Flett
DIRECTOR GENERAL
WA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH