the member is to be reimbursed for the loss of shift penalties and/or work related other allowances. The reimbursement is based on the average of any shift penalties and / or other work related allowances for the preceding 6 months or, if the period of shift work is less than 6 months, the average for the period worked. 4.5 Suspension of visiting practitioners The provide that an organisation may suspend the appointment of a visiting medical officer where it is considered necessary in the interests of the hospital to which the visiting medical officer is appointed. The suspension of any visiting practitioner is without pay. Note that the provides for an appeal mechanism for visiting practitioners whose appointment is suspended. 5 INVESTIGATION The purpose of an investigation An investigation is a formal process of collecting and analysing all available relevant information to ascertain in order to make findings. An investigation precedes, and is separate from, any final decision by a decision-maker about whether to accept or not accept findings, and about whether and what further action (disciplinary or other) is required. The purpose of an investigation is to determine whether: The alleged or suspected misconduct has occurred and, if so, to put forward findings to that effect The substantiated conduct breached expected standards, or relevant policies or legislation There are any extenuating circumstances or other contributing factors that may need to be considered. An investigation need only occur into potential misconduct where there is uncertainty about the relevant facts. Even where no investigation is necessary, the decision-making process set out in Sections 7 and 8 of these Procedures should be followed. The requirements of any additional relevant policies identified during the initial review must also be complied with (). Any investigation must be completed as expeditiously as possible without compromising procedural fairness. If a matter has been referred to an external regulatory or investigative body, ongoing liaison with that body must occur to coordinate, as appropriate, the timing and conduct of any internal investigation with any action being undertaken by the external body (see also Section 2.2 re serious criminal allegations and child-related allegations). A flowchart of the investigation process is provided at . The following publications also provide guidance on conducting internal investigations: NSW Ombudsman: ICAC's - search for finder’ at . ‘Fact
the member is to be reimbursed for the loss of shift penalties and/or work related other allowances. The reimbursement is based on the average of any shift penalties and / or other work related allowances for the preceding 6 months or, if the period of shift work is less than 6 months, the average for the period worked. 4.5 Suspension of visiting practitioners The provide that an organisation may suspend the appointment of a visiting medical officer where it is considered necessary in the interests of the hospital to which the visiting medical officer is appointed. The suspension of any visiting practitioner is without pay. Note that the provides for an appeal mechanism for visiting practitioners whose appointment is suspended. 5 INVESTIGATION The purpose of an investigation An investigation is a formal process of collecting and analysing all available relevant information to ascertain in order to make findings. An investigation precedes, and is separate from, any final decision by a decision-maker about whether to accept or not accept findings, and about whether and what further action (disciplinary or other) is required. The purpose of an investigation is to determine whether: The alleged or suspected misconduct has occurred and, if so, to put forward findings to that effect The substantiated conduct breached expected standards, or relevant policies or legislation There are any extenuating circumstances or other contributing factors that may need to be considered. An investigation need only occur into potential misconduct where there is uncertainty about the relevant facts. Even where no investigation is necessary, the decision-making process set out in Sections 7 and 8 of these Procedures should be followed. The requirements of any additional relevant policies identified during the initial review must also be complied with (). Any investigation must be completed as expeditiously as possible without compromising procedural fairness. If a matter has been referred to an external regulatory or investigative body, ongoing liaison with that body must occur to coordinate, as appropriate, the timing and conduct of any internal investigation with any action being undertaken by the external body (see also Section 2.2 re serious criminal allegations and child-related allegations). A flowchart of the investigation process is provided at . The following publications also provide guidance on conducting internal investigations: NSW Ombudsman: ICAC's - search for ‘Fact finder’ at .
Draft%20Managing%20Misconduct%20with%20tracked%20changes.docx