AMA submission to the Ombudsman’s investigation into delay and procedural safeguards for health practitioners subject to immediate action
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) commends the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) for initiating the investigation into delay and procedural safeguards for health practitioners subject to immediate action.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) commends the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) for initiating the investigation into delay and procedural safeguards for health practitioners subject to immediate action.
Immediate action is one of the strongest sanctions available to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) by immediatley suspending or imposing conditions after allegations have been made but before any wrongdoing is proven.
Such an action implies guilt before innocence can be proven, and can inflict irreperable damage to a practitioner’s reputation, derailing their career and their relationships with patients, colleagues, and employers. While we do not funamentally object to the immediate action power, it must be used judiciously and balance the protection of the public with the rights and wellbeing of practitioners. It is clear to the AMA, this is not how immediate actions are currently used.
