Attending a health assessment

A health assessment is something we might require you to do so we can better understand whether your health is having an impact on your ability to practise. 

This is an important part of making sure we meet our obligations to protect public safety and the public interest under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW). 

An independent assessment with a council-appointed practitioner helps us determine: 

• your current health status

• if you have an impairment 

• any further action needed to ensure public safety.

An ‘impairment’ under section 5 of the National Law (NSW) means you have a health issue that is likely to affect, or does affect, the safe practise of your profession or for students, your ability to safely complete your training. A health issue can be a physical or mental condition, disability or disorder, substance abuse or dependence.

If the Council is concerned you have a health impairment, we follow different processes than those we use when the issue is related only to conduct or performance.

If you have a health issue that is well managed by medical, professional and personal support, we may find you do not have an impairment.  

A council-directed health assessor will carry out the health assessment and decide whether you have an impairment as defined under the National Law (NSW). The assessor can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, neuropsychologist, neurologist, drug and alcohol specialist physician, or other health practitioner with expertise in your health issue. 

If you are attending a follow-up assessment to review your health status and progress, you will usually see the same assessor.  

We appoint assessors for their independence, expertise as health practitioners, and their understanding of our role and responsibility as a regulator. 

For this reason, your treating practitioner cannot conduct the assessment. 

We will organise your appointment with an assessor and cover the cost of the initial assessment.

We will then send you a letter confirming: 

• the name and contact details of the assessor 

• the date, time and location of the assessment.

Some assessments can be conducted via video conference. Please ask the person who has scheduled the assessment whether this applies to your situation.

Before the assessment

• To confirm attendance, contact the assessor on the phone number we provide you in your information letter.

• Check the letter we sent you for any other requirements you need to meet before the health assessment. This might include drug/alcohol testing or providing medical information.

• Arrange transport to the assessment and arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

• Provide us with any information you wish the assessor to consider.

On the day

• Take your regular medications as normal.

• Bring a list of any current medications.

• Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 12 hours before.

• Bring a form of official photo identification (i.e. driver licence or passport).

• Bring your reading glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids.

If you can’t attend

If you wish to discuss your appointment, please phone us on the number stated in our letter. If you can’t attend, you must notify us by email or letter no less than 5 business days before your appointment date. 

You must provide your reason for needing to reschedule the appointment and any supporting documentation.

Please don’t contact the assessor directly to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Only we can reschedule your appointment. 

If you don’t reschedule your appointment and fail to attend without a good reason, it’s important to know: 

• your non-attendance can be evidence of an impairment as defined under the National Law (NSW)

• we will consider taking further action, including urgent action if necessary, to protect the public. 

Documents we give the assessor

We will provide the assessor with documents to help them independently assess your health and form an opinion on whether you have an impairment. These documents are likely to include: 

• the complaint or, in the case of a follow-up assessment, the triggering matter 

• your response (where available) 

• any relevant reports such as a medical assessment report or a hospital discharge report 

• any relevant practice history, including any previous assessment reports. 

Sending us additional information

If you would like the assessor to consider any additional information, please send us documents at least 14 days before your assessment. Relevant additional information may include: 

• information on current or previous treatment of any ill-health or substance misuse 

• a copy of a discharge report from a hospital 

• a letter from any treating health practitioner who has information about your health, including information about your current wellbeing and fitness to practise your profession

• a copy of any other assessment report that may be relevant 

• any drug or alcohol test results. 

At the assessment 

The assessment begins with an interview between you and the assessor. You might then be asked to do some tests to assess your cognitive/psychological functions. Remember, it is important you provide accurate and complete information in the interview so the tests you take are tailored to any specific needs or conditions you may have. 

The assessor may ask you questions about: 

• your professional qualifications 

• employment history 

• medical history 

• current health status (mental and psychological state) 

• any treatment prescribed by a treating practitioner. 

The assessment can take up to four hours if cognitive/psychological testing is done.  

After the assessment 

The assessor will provide us with a report on your health. We will either:

• send this directly to you or 

• send it to your treating practitioner (with your permission) so they can explain it to you. 

We will review the report and any information you provide to decide whether further action is needed to protect the public. 

We may: 

• close the matter and take no further action if the assessor finds no evidence of impairment and we have no further concerns 

• counsel you to work within the limitations of any impairment 

• refer the matter to an Impaired Registrants Panel to consider whether conditions or suspension of registration are needed to protect public safety 

• refer the matter for further assessment or investigation

• take immediate interim action if we believe the health and safety of the public is immediately at risk or that taking action is otherwise in the public interest. 

Respecting confidentiality 

The assessment report is a protected report. This means it will only be disclosed to third parties for the purpose of managing the complaint about you or to support further investigation by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC). If you want your treating practitioner to explain the assessment report to you, we will ask for your consent before sending it to them.

We know having a complaint made against you can be stressful so we’re available to answer any questions you have. 

You may want a support person to accompany you on the day. They can be a friend or family member but not your legal counsel or treating practitioner. And they cannot advocate for you.

If you are concerned about your mental health and wellbeing, or need other assistance, you can speak to:  

• your general practitioner 

• your treating psychiatrist or psychologist 

• a mental health help line.

Visit our support page for helpful resources