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3.3 Proceedings
The Director of Proceedings brings
disciplinary charges and compensation
claims to publicly redress serious breaches
of the Code of Health and Disability
Services Consumers’ Rights. These cases
are heard by the Health Practitioners
Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT) and the
Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT).
Departures by providers from generally
accepted practice may be deliberate or
24
Provider No. of
providers
come about through inattention.
In some cases it is also appropriate that
organisations are held publicly accountable
for inadequate systems and processes, or
for the failures of their staff.
Safety, public accountability and consumer
confi dence are enhanced through
proceedings. Health practitioners play a
central part in these processes, whether as
tribunal members or expert witnesses.
Table 1: Action taken in respect of referrals to Director of Proceedings in 2011/12
No further
action
DP decision in
progress
Proceedings
pending
Cases the Proceedings team worked on
during 2011/12 raised a variety of signifi cant
issues, and meaningful outcomes were
achieved for consumers. Where appropriate,
attempts were made to reach agreement
on facts and to negotiate settlements to
achieve speedy and effi cient resolution
of cases.
Proceedings
concluded
Community support worker 1 1 1
General practitioner 2 1 1 2
Obstetrician 1 1* 1
General surgeon 1 1 1
Midwife 1 1 1
Iridologist 1 1 1
Medical practitioner † 1 1 1
Totals 8 2 3 1 2 8
No. of
consumers
involved
*Concluded by negotiated agreement without the HRRT being asked to make orders. † General scope of practice, working in a collegial relationship (cosmetic).