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GPs invited to share views on complaints process
Doctors are being urged to speak out as part of an investigation into the delays and procedural safeguards faced by those who are subject to an AHPRA immediate action.
There are hopes the investigation will result in more timely decisions for doctors who face interim actions after a notification.
The National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) is calling for submissions on how matters involving GPs subject to immediate action are handled, and whether existing procedures enable timely and fair outcomes.
‘Immediate actions’, or interim actions, occur when the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) places conditions on a health practitioner’s registration, such as suspension of registration.
This is done if an AHPRA National Board believes the practitioner poses a serious risk or if it is in the interests of the public.
The investigation began in mid-2024 after the Ombudsman found, during routine complaint monitoring, that practitioners have increasingly raised concerns about the process.
It recorded 84 issues related to immediate action being taken across complaints about the notifications process in 2023–24, compared to 51 issues in 2022–23, 45 in 2021–22 and 24 in 2020–21.
A common theme was frustration with delays in receiving an outcome on the matter for which they had received an interim action, and a lack of communication about its progress.
Doctors also reported the impact of their suspension or significant conditions on their career, livelihood and wellbeing.
The Ombudsman is now investigating whether AHPRA’s procedures allow for the timely use of immediate action and investigation of health practitioners subject to immediate action, and whether there are sufficient procedural safeguards for health practitioners subject to immediate action.
In response, Ombudsman Richelle McCausland has released a consultation paper into the investigation, and is seeking submissions from health practitioners, health services and organisations, and other interested parties.
‘We’re interested in learning more about individual experiences of what’s working, and what may be causing issues, in the timely finalisation of matters where a practitioner is subject to immediate action,’ she said.
‘We are also seeking information about how existing procedural safeguards are operating, and whether or not there is a need for improvement.’
RACGP Vice President Dr Ramya Raman said the review provides a welcome opportunity for doctors to share their concerns.
‘It’s a very stressful process in itself, and it has a tremendous impact on the wellbeing of the doctor as well as the people around the doctor, so this is a great opportunity for members concerned about AHPRA’s handling of cases to put forward their views,’ she told newsGP.
‘At the RACGP we support a notification system that balances patient safety with sensible processes that do not unduly impact the delivery of high-quality care.
‘There are several issues with the management of these notifications, particularly the ones that are deemed as high risk, these include timeframes for the cases to be resolved, reputational damage that can be impacted, and the lack of support that can be provided to the doctors.
‘We’ve just got to keep all of that in mind when the individual responses are coming through, because circumstances can be different, and we’ve got to be very mindful of the sensitivity of this, and the impact that it can have on the doctors.’
Dr Raman also notes the importance of ensuring the triage and management of complaints is sophisticated enough to afford timely review and outcomes.
‘And, even more important than timeliness, is that all parties to the complaint have confidence that the process observes the traditional principles of natural justice, objectivity, consistency and confidentiality,’ she said.
An AHPRA spokesperson said the agency looks forward to contributing to the consultation.
‘AHPRA routinely seeks feedback from both practitioners and notifiers, which has helped us to better understand their experiences and continuously improve the notifications process,’ they told newsGP.
‘AHPRA is keen to support any additional efforts to improve the practitioner regulation system and the health of those who may be impacted by regulation.’
Public consultation is open until 31 March, with a consultation paper and submission form available on the Ombudsman’s website.
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