State Legislative Responses to the Corporatisation of Medical Practice

A growing number of doctors in Australia are considering or have decided to enter into contractual arrangements to provide medical services as independent practitioners within corporate medical practices.  These developments have given rise to debate within the profession and the community over the implications for the practice of medicine in Australia.

Much of this debate has focussed on the importance of maintaining the clinical independence of doctors working in corporates and the potential impact of vertical integration on the cost and nature of medical service delivery. This debate has prompted governments in a number of States to amend medical registration legislation aimed at addressing public and professional perceptions over the nature of corporate medical practice.