Recent news

HCC Inquiry into Assisted Reproductive Treatment practices: submissions closing soon
18 Sep 2019
Anyone wishing to make a submission to the Health Complaints Commissioner’s Inquiry into Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) practices in Victoria still has time to do so. Commissioner Karen Cusack said submission forms were available for fertility treatment consumers, providers and other interested parties until midnight on Friday 20 September 2019 at hcc.vic.gov.au/public/ARTsubmissions or by calling 1300 582 113.
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HCC Inquiry into Assisted Reproductive Treatment Practices: public consultation sessions
04 Sep 2019
The Health Complaints Commissioner is holding public consultation sessions in Melbourne and Ballarat next week to inform an Inquiry into Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) practices in Victoria. Commissioner Karen Cusack said the consultation sessions offered an opportunity for ART consumers (including family and friends) and other interested parties to hear more about the Inquiry and to share their experiences. Melbourne consultation session - Wednesday 11 September 2019 Level 26, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne from 12.30pm till 2pm. Ballarat consultation session - Friday 13 September 2019...
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21 Aug 2019
The Health Complaints Commissioner (the Commissioner) has extended the deadline for public submissions to her Inquiry into Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) practices in Victoria. Commissioner Karen Cusack said the HCC would accept submissions until Friday 20 September 2019. Ms Cusack said the extended deadline will allow for the Inquiry to hold a series of consultation sessions in September for fertility treatment providers, consumers and other interested parties. Register your interest in attending a consultation session at hcc.vic.gov.au/ARTconsultation.
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24 Jul 2019
A cosmetic service provider who allegedly treated clients in an unregistered ‘salon’ at the back of a Springvale Shopping Centre jewellery store, has been issued with an interim prohibition order temporarily banning her from providing any general health services involving cosmetic procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers.
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17 Jul 2019
The Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) has published a Service Charter detailing its commitment to the public and to health service providers in the delivery of its services. Commissioner Karen Cusack said the Service Charter, required under Section 124 of the Health Complaints Act 2016 , provided clarity about the HCC’s services, how stakeholders could expect to be treated and the responsibilities of service users. Ms Cusack said the HCC consulted widely with a broad range of stakeholders, including complainants and health service providers who used its services, seeking feedback on their...
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09 Jul 2019
Counsellor and psychotherapist Brian Hickman has been temporarily banned from advertising, offering or providing any general health services while the Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) conducts an investigation. Mr Hickman, who is based in Wodonga, is also temporarily banned from providing any professional supervision to other health service providers, and from operating any business that provides general health services. Commissioner Karen Cusack said that while Mr Hickman was suspended by AHPRA from operating as a registered psychologist, counselling and psychotherapy services are...
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25 Jun 2019
The Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) is calling for public submissions as part of an Inquiry into Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) practices in Victoria.
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14 Jun 2019
The prohibition orders made by the Commissioner in respect of CDC Clinics Pty Ltd and Cynthia Weinstein on 31 January 2019 have been quashed by order of the Supreme Court dated 13 June 2019.
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06 Jun 2019
Drug and alcohol counsellor Robert Frank Mittiga, who also uses the alias Robert Frank and Roberto Cialdini when advertising his services in Victoria, has been sentenced to a five-month jail term in the Adelaide Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to breaching a prohibition order issued by the South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner in 2015.
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03 May 2019
Drug and alcohol counsellor Robert Frank Mittiga, who also uses the alias Robert Frank and Roberto Cialdini, has been permanently banned from providing any general health services in Victoria following a similar ban in South Australia.
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