AUSTRALIA'S pandemic response sub-register of recently retired health practitioners, including 1,936 pharmacists, will remain in place until 06 Apr 2022, to support the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.
The move was announced yesterday by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after a request from the Federal Government, and came a week after the Pharmacy Board of Australia had said the sub-register would close on 19 Apr.
The extended sub-register will only feature pharmacists, medical practitioners, nurses, midwives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners.
AHPRA CEO, Martin Fletcher, said the decision reflected the effectiveness of the sub-register's contribution to the national COVID-19 pandemic response.
"Practitioners on the sub-register are a valued part of supporting the Australian community during the pandemic, particularly for the COVID-19 vaccination program," he said.
"We acknowledge this and support the Government's request to keep the sub-register open for up to 12 months more."
Pharmacists who are on the sub-register, who have not applied to transition to the main register of practitioners are limited to practice only to help with the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Practitioners on the sub-register do not need to do anything to remain on it and do not have to pay fees.
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