The Health Legislation Amendment (Quality and Safety) Act 2022 introduces new reforms that include Statutory Duty of Candour and protections for Serious Adverse Patient Safety Event reviews. This legislation comes into effect on 30 November 2022.
Statutory Duty of Candour (SDC) must be performed when a Serious Adverse Patient Safety Event occurs while a patient is receiving health services. SDC builds on our procedure for open disclosure and includes legal requirements relating to provision of information via meeting and written reports, timeframes and apology for harm suffered.
Find out more about statutory duty of candour here:
https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-10/Victorian%20Duty%20of%20Candour%20Guidelines%20-%20FINAL.docx
SAPSE reviews (protection for reviews) introduces protections for adverse event reviews and will allow the review process (and associated documents or reports produced) to be inadmissible in legal proceedings. Protection will also extend to review panel members and participants of the SAPSE review.
Find out more about SAPSE protection:
https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-10/Protections%20for%20serious%20adverse%20patient%20safety%20event%20%28SAPSE%29%20reviews%20-%20FINAL.docx
Education and information is being rolled out across all Clinical Directorates. Talk to your Manager or clinical Safety and Quality Advisor to find out more. Online training modules can be accessed here: https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/e-learning/duty-of-candour