Standards framework

Put patients' interests first

1.  You must ensure the health needs and safe care of your patients are your primary concerns

2.  You must put the interests of your patients ahead of personal, financial or other gain

3.  You must treat patients with dignity and respect at all times

4.  You must treat patients fairly and without discrimination, respecting cultural values, personal disabilities and individual differences

5.  You must respect the autonomy and freedom of choice of the patient

6.  You must respect patients’ right to complain and enable them to seek redress

7.  You must protect the confidentiality of patient information

Ensure safe practice

8.  You must practice within your professional knowledge, skills and competence, or refer to another health practitioner

9.  You must identify and manage health and safety risks within your practice environment

10.  Your must maintain accurate, time-bound and up-to-date patient records

11.  You must keep your professional knowledge and skills up-to-date through ongoing learning and professional interaction

12.  You must have arrangements in place to manage medical emergencies

Communicate effectively

13.  You must communicate honestly, factually and without exaggeration

14.  You must listen to your patients and consider their preferences and concerns

15.  You must give patients the information they need or request, in a way they can understand, so they can make informed decisions

16.  You must ensure informed consent remains valid at all times

17.  You must communicate openly in inter- and intra- professional healthcare teams for the enhancement of patient care

18.  You must behave respectfully in communication to and about colleagues or other health professionals

Provide good care

19.  You must take a holistic approach to care appropriate to the individual patient

20.  You must provide care that is clinically justified and based on the best available evidence

21.  You must collaborate with colleagues and other health practitioners, and contribute to teamwork for enhanced patient outcomes

22.  You must protect and promote the health of patients and the public

Maintain public trust and confidence

23.  You must ensure your professional and personal conduct justifies trust in you and your profession

24.  You must be familiar, and comply, with your legal and professional obligations

25.  You must act with honesty and integrity at all times with patients, colleagues and the public

26.  You must maintain appropriate boundaries in your interactions with patients, colleagues and the public

27.  You must protect the interests of patients and colleagues from any risk posed by your personal issues or health, or those of a colleague

28.  You must protect the interests of patients and colleagues from any risk posed by your competence or conduct, or that of a colleague or an employee