About the board
The ACT Chiropractors and Osteopaths Board (the Board) is established by section 24 of the Health Professionls Act 2004 (the Act). It is a statutory body with perpetual succession and common seal, which has the powers and responsibilities prescribed by the Act.
Functions
The main aim of the Board is to protect the public from the activities of unqualified and unscrupulous persons through registration of suitably qualified Chiropractors and Osteopaths, and the monitoring of the best practice standards and conduct of the profession. In addition, the Board is responsible to ensure that the provisions of the Act are administered in a fair and equitable manner without bias to concerned individuals.
The Chiropractors and Osteopaths Board is committed to the improvement and development of customer service, and aims to continue to provide relevant, accurate, and timely advice and assistance to the public and practitioners on matters relevant to the profession. The Board aims to raise the profile of the Board and increase awareness among the public and profession of the Boards roles and responsibilities.
The Chiropractors and Osteopaths Board is comprised of seven members, three osteopaths, three chiropractors and one community representative appointed by the ACT Minister for Health in accordance with section 5 of the Health Professions Boards (Procedures) Act 1981. Five members are appointed by the Minister and two are elected by the profession.
The Board is responsible for administering the provision of the Health Professional Act 2004 (the Act). The Board registers suitably qualified chiropractors and osteopaths to enable them to practice in the ACT. The Board is also responsible for the consideration of complaints against registered chiropractors and osteopaths and general monitoring of the conduct of the profession in the ACT.
Section 34 of the Act empowers the Board to take disciplinary action against chiropractors and osteopaths who may be in breach of certain provisions of the Act. The Act requires that the Board hold a formal Inquiry in accordance with the Health Professions Boards (Procedures) Act 1981 (Procedures Act) before imposing any disciplinary measures, such as: cautioning or reprimanding the chiropractors and osteopaths, suspension or cancellation of registration, ordering that the practitioner undergo medical or psychiatric treatment or counselling, or imposing conditions on the registration of the chiropractors and osteopaths as considered appropriate by the Board.
There are provisions under the Act, which allow for the practitioner to make an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), for a review of the Boards decision.
Board membership
President-
Dr Michael Shobbrook-Chiropractor - appointed
Deputy President-
Dr Benjamin Field - appointed
Members
Dr Peter Garbutt, Chiropractor- appointed
Dr Belinda Libbis, Osteopath - appointed
Dr Donald McDowall, Chiropractor - elected
Dr Melissa Coulter,Osteopath - elected
Mr Bruce Vincent,Community Representative -appointed
Manager - Mr Alan Skelton
Registrar - Ms Kathleen Taylor
The term of office is four years.
Board Meetings
The Board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every second month.
Disclaimer
Whilst the information contained in this site has been presented with all due care, the Board does not guarantee that the information is free from errors or omission.
The information is made available on the understanding that the Board and its employees and agents shall have no liability (including liability by reason of negligence) to users for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or otherwise.
Furthermore, whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. The information may change without notice and the Board is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.
