NEATS has two mechanisms for the resolution of educational issues or disputes and grievances namely:
For Educational matters:
Performance, Assessment, Monitoring and Intervention (PAMI) Policy based on the GPET model.
For all other matters:
The Grievance Management and Process Policy.
PAMI
PAMI is used for the resolution of all matters pertaining to a GP Registrar’s education and training. The PAMI Policy enables NEATS to:
(a) Assess and address the needs of GP Registrars concerning professional and clinical development, competence and/or performance;
(b) Determine the appropriate level of the intervention(focussed learning and remediation); and
(c) Effectively document, manage and evaluate an intervention.
The Grievance Management and Process Policy
The Grievance Management and Process Policy is used to resolve all disputes and grievances. The Grievance Management Policy is based on the following principles:
(a) All actions under this policy are based on principles of procedural fairness. These principles apply to all GP Registrars, GP Supervisors, Medical Educators, staff and others who may be involved.
(b) All matters are to be addressed as quickly as possible and as close as possible to their source.
(c) All parties with a concern or grievance have the right to be:-
- Heard
- Treated without bias or pre-judgement
- Informed of any allegation made which relates to them
- Provided with an opportunity to respond to any allegation pertaining to them
- Informed about the status of any concern or grievance which has been formally raised and to which they are a party.
(d) No person shall suffer any disadvantage as a result of raising a grievance.
(e) Any staff member, the subject of, or associated with, any Registrar concern or grievance will participate in actions taken under this policy with a view to addressing the matter.
(f) All aspects of the process are to be transparent. This policy and associated procedures are readily accessible via the web and/or from the NEATS office.
(g) Appropriate confidentiality is to be maintained at all times.
The Appeals / Disputes Committee
As part of due process NEATS has a mechanism for appeal. Any unresolved disputes or grievances can be referred to the Appeals/ Disputes Committee for final decision.
The NEATS Appeals/Disputes committee is engaged in line with the NEATS grievance procedure and PAMI – refer to both guidelines and documents for defined process.
The Committee will include the following:
· Convenor (non-voting) – the CEO, unless the CEO is the subject of the grievance, in which case it will be the Chairman;
· Two members of the board who are, in the opinion of the CEO, independent of the dispute;
· A Medical Educator from another RTP; and
· A nominee of the grievant.
13.2 The Committee:
· will review all material (written and verbal) to enable them to properly consider the matter;
· meet in person or via teleconference;
· must only hand down a decision if there is unanimous agreement. If not unanimously agreed, the committee must find that it cannot make a decision;
· hand down its finding/s within 10 working days, whether a decision is able to be made or not; and
· hand down its finding/s by way of written report.
13.3 The decision of the Committee is final for the organisation. Appeals against the Committee’s decision will have to be made outside NEATS – via either GARP or other legal process.
Due Process
It must be noted that NEATS’ processes are in place as an internal mechanism for dispute/grievance resolution and does not exclude any party from access to due legal process.
While the dispute and the dispute resolution mechanism remains contained within the processes of NEATS, costs, other than any costs associated with the registrar obtaining legal advice, will be born by NEATS. At no stage will any legal or associated costs be born by NEATS on behalf of the Registrar.
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