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AMA highlights need to get mandatory reporting laws right

The AMA warned State and Territory Health Ministers earlier this week that the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Amendment (Tranche 1A) Bill may not protect the health of doctors.

The AMA has called for amendments to make the new national laws safe enough to give doctors confidence to seek help for their own health needs. The AMA called for these amendments as the Ministers refused to adopt the current successful and workable Western Australia laws, which will remain in place regardless of the COAG action.

“Mandatory reporting affects every doctor, their families, their loved ones, their colleagues …and their patients,” AMA President Dr Tony Bartone said.

“Our doctors desperately need legislation that does not actively discourage them from seeking medical treatment when they need it. Doctors are patients too. They should have the same rights to access confidential high-quality medical treatment as their own patients and all other Australians do.”

Professor Steve Robson, President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and AMA Federal Councillor, shared his personal account of why doctors need to seek help for their physical and mental health on MJA InSight.

Read the AMA’s submission on mandatory reporting here.

Read more about the AMA’s warning to COAG here.

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