The regulator’s latest annual report has shown improvements in handling notifications, but not at the needed pace.
An exponential growth of notifications has not yet been matched in effort by AHPRA according to the regulator’s annual report.
The 2024-25 stats showed a whopping 19% increase in notifications – 13,327 notifications overall with 12,086 of them resolved.
That’s an 8.3% improvement from last year and more than any previous year, which was attributed to new case management process that produces faster completion times for low-risk cases.
AHPRA reported that on 30 June there were 5627 open notifications, marking a 26.7% (1186) increase from last year and more than any prior year on record.
“We have made improvements to notification processes to support those experiencing health concerns, reduced the use of immediate action in impairment cases, allowed practitioners to use their own treating practitioners, and provided further staff education on how to engage with consideration and compassion,” said AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner.
“Drawn-out processes can be stressful for practitioners.
“Our focus on timeliness has seen the average time to close a notification reduce by 37% from its peak.”
Reducing notification closure times has been a priority for Mr Untersteiner since hios appointment as CEO earlier this year.
The release of the Dawson Review back in May highlighted the need for urgency when it came to reforming the notifications resolution pace.
“I understand how distressing it can be for practitioners to be subject to a regulatory process and acknowledge that sometimes these matters can take too long to resolve,” Mr Untersteiner said in May in response to the Dawson Review.
“Reforming our complaints handling process is a priority.
“Public safety will always be our number one priority, but we are making changes that will improve the experience of regulation for practitioners, consumers and all stakeholders.”
AHPRA reported that it had already invested in initiatives that prioritised notifications older than 12 months, along with establishing a health complaints navigator service to reduce room for administrative error.
“Where possible, we seek direct feedback from notifiers and practitioners who engage with our regulatory processes,” the report said.
“We are developing updates to these feedback mechanisms in our new case management system, which was launched in March.
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“Around 40% of notifications were managed through a strengthening practice approach, and 17% of these were closed without any regulatory action because the practitioner demonstrated the steps they had taken to reflect on and improve their practice.”
The AHPRA report also disclosed new details on the timeline of notification managements, saying 81.1% of all notifications were closed within six months of receipt.
AHPRA said he latest reported average time to complete a notification was the lowest recorded since the start of the scheme, but did not provide details.
Notifications that have been open for 12 months or more account for 20% of all open notifications, an increase from last year’s reports of 16.9%, according to the report.
“We are taking steps to improve our management of complex investigations and our timeframes for completion,” the report stated.
“We have established a Case Strategy Review Committee to provide advice on the management of our complex investigations and confirm the strategy for completion in collaboration with our National Legal Practice.
“Since the committee began in 2024, it has reviewed 236 notifications and 25.8% (61) of these notifications have been finalised.
“We are also piloting a team-based case management approach for our most complex investigations.”
