Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board of Tasmania

Complaints

Who may lodge a complaint?
Any person may make a complaint regarding the professional practise of a registered Chiropractor or Osteopath.

How is a complaint made?
Complaints must be made in writing and contain the following information:

Particulars of the matter complained of.
The name of the registered practitioner against whom the complaint is being made.
The name of the person making the complaint.

All complaints are required to be made in writing. You can download a copy of the complaints form here. If you are having difficulty in writing a complaint, you should contact the office of the Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board for assistance.

Complaints which are of a commercial nature e.g. concerns regarding pricing, should be referred to the Health Complaints Commissioner, in the first instance and may be dealt with directly by the Health Complaints Commission.

All complaints regarding the professional conduct of registered Chiropractors or Osteopaths are referred to the Registration Board for investigation. The outcome of the Board's investigation of the matter is provided to the Health Complaints Commissioner who may require further action.

How does the Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Board deal with complaints?
On receipt of a formal written complaint regarding the professional practise of a registered practitioner, the Board may take the following actions:

Dismiss the complaint if it is considered to be frivolous or vexatious.
Appoint an investigation committee to investigate the matter which may involve further information being obtained from the complainant and questioning of the registered practitioner.
In matters where the complaint is considered to be not sufficiently serious to warrant the appointment of an investigation committee, the Board may require further information from the registered practitioner and may deal with the matter immediately.
An investigation committee is required to provide a report to the Board which must then consider the matter and may take the following actions.
Remove the practitioner's name from the register,
Suspend the practitioner for a period not exceeding twelve months
Impose a fine on the practitioner
Impose a condition on the practitioner's registration
Caution or reprimand the practitioner
Dismiss the complaint.

The procedures to be followed by the Board are set out in Division 4 of the Chiropractors and Osteopaths Registration Act 1997. Part 5 of the Act outlines the appeal mechanisms against decisions of the Board.

Download a copy of the Complaints Brochure

COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES - YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007