A medical professional's practice can include a variety of roles depending on the size and type of practice. Common professionals who work in these environments include:

• Doctors/Physicians – These are the primary medical professionals, such as general practitioners, specialists (e.g., cardiologists, dermatologists), surgeons, or paediatricians.

• Physician Assistants – These healthcare providers work under the supervision of a physician and can diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medication, and assist in surgeries.

Nurses are essential health professionals who care for people (individuals, families, groups and communities) in all health and aged care settings. They assess, plan and administer daily treatment and manage your general health. They can also direct you to the right people to speak to about specific medical issues.

In Australia, a nurse is a regulated health professional. Nurses complete approved training pathways to become registered to practice with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) who works with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to regulate the profession.

Errors & Omissions (E&O) is loss arising out of failure to provide ‘Professional Services’. An E&O loss is all sums which the Insured is legally liable to pay because of a Wrongful Act.

E&O cover provides protection against:

• Negligent misstatement or misrepresentation (including advice of goods).

• Libel, slander and / or defamation.

• Breach or misuse of confidentiality or any right to privacy.

• Infringement of intellection property rights.

A midwife is a registered health professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, birth and the first few weeks after birth. Midwifery is a profession grounded in woman-centred and evidence-based maternal health care.

In Australia, midwives must have completed:

• An approved course in midwifery through a university.

• Register with the Nursing and Midwives Board of Australia.

The main differences between surgical (cosmetic) and non-surgical (non-cosmetic) intervention include the level of invasiveness required by each treatment, the healing period after each procedure, and the quality of the final results.

Surgical hair transplants and hairline lowering are well-known cosmetic approaches to hair restoration surgery involving more intricate techniques that extract healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp and transplant them to areas affected by hair loss.

Some of the possible complications of hair transplant surgery include:

•   risks of general anaesthesia, including allergic reaction, which may be fatal

•   surgical risks such as bleeding or infection

•   nerve damage, including permanent loss of sensation

•   death of the skin grafts and tissue along the wound

•   further surgery to treat complications

Pregnancy describes the period in which a fetus develops inside a woman's womb or uterus. During the 9 months of this process, you can be cared for by a midwife, GP or obstetrician. You can give birth in a public or private hospital, a birth centre or at home, depending on whether your pregnancy is high or low risk and where you live.

To reduce exposures, those involved in the practice should ensure they:

•   communicate clearly

•   adherence to protocols

•   have proper training

•   record documentation accurately

•   respond timely to interventions

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is a national agency that, regulates Australia's registered health practitioners to ensure public safety and maintain standards and policies.

Each health profession that is part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is represented by a National Board.

AHPRA and the National Boards work together to ensure that Australia’s registered health practitioners are suitably trained, qualified and safe to practise.

Acupuncture treats musculoskeletal pain and other body systems and has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin to restore balance and encourage the body to heal itself.

To become an Acupuncturist in Australia, you must:

• Complete a regulated 4-year course learning how to use Acupuncture safely.

• Be registered with AHPRA and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA).

• Engage in continued professional development.

Many people are confused by the differences between a radiographer, radiologist and sonographer. These professionals often work together, but they are not the same.

Radiographers are allied health professionals who take medical images including:

• X-rays

• MRI scans

• CT scans

• Mammograms

• PET scans

These assist doctors in diagnosing, monitoring and treating illnesses and injuries.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government service that provides support to Australian citizens with a disability via support packages, tailored to individual needs.

To access the NDIS, participants must have a permanent impairment that significantly affects their ability to be involved in everyday activities or have a developmental delay as well as being under 65 in a NDIS specified zone.

Spinal manipulation is a technique where medical practitioners use their hands to apply a controlled thrust to a joint of your spine. Spinal manipulation entails high-velocity, low-amplitude manual thrusts to spinal joints that extend slightly beyond their physiological range of motion.

Manipulation reduces pain in the spine and joints, increasing range of motion. It resets the position of the spinal cord and nerves, allowing the nervous system to function optimally and improve the body's biomechanical functioning.

Osteopathy is one of ten regulated healthcare professions in Australia. Osteopathic philosophy gives a holistic approach to health and stresses the importance of the musculoskeletal system in a person’s health and well-being.

The aim of treatment is to support the body’s self-healing capacity, managing:

• Neck and back pain

• Arthritis

• Sciatica

• Headaches and Vertigo

• And More…

Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional medicines or treatments. Examples of complementary therapies include: 

• Acupuncture

• Allergist

• Aromatherapy

• Electrologist

• Herbalist

• Homeopath

• Hydropath

• Hypnotherapy

• Kinesiology

Speech pathologists’ study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with:

• Speaking

• Listening

• Understanding language

• Reading and Writing

• Social skills

• Stuttering and using voice

• Swallowing food and drink safely

It is important to know the different services that offer assistance to those struggling with their mental health and the risks entailed for each professional.  

Psychiatrists are medical specialists who have completed specialised training in how to diagnose, treat and prevent mental, emotional and behavioural disorders, providing:

• Diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of mental health issues.

• Talk-based therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

• Prescribing appropriate medication.

The NDIS provides the necessary funding to people with a permanent and significant disability so they can access the supports and services they need. Providers are an important part of the NDIS, delivering supports and services that help participants pursue their goals.

Every NDIS recipient has an individual plan that lists their desired outcomes, the supports they will use and the funding they have received. Providers are one of the main contact points for NDIS recipients.

Allied health professionals provide essential care for people of all ages including children, elderly, people with chronic illnesses and those experiencing disability, to enhance and maintain functions within a range of settings, including:

• Hospitals

• Private Practice

• Community Health

• In-Home Care

Medical Malpractice is designed to provide an insurance solution for healthcare professionals. It protects an insured against claims for compensation arising from the provision of medical services.

At Fairlight insurance, our wide product offering includes Medical Malpractice, liability and errors and omissions.