Federal AMA welcomes Medical Board decision on health checks for older doctors

The Australian Medical Association today welcomed the Medical Board’s decision not to proceed with mandatory health checks for doctors aged over 70. 

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the AMA supports the Board’s shift towards profession-led strategies that promote safe practice and recognise the breadth of supports late-career doctors may benefit from.

“We have consistently advocated for a balanced, evidence-based approach that protects patients while respecting the dignity and autonomy of late-career doctors,” Dr McMullen said. 

“We reaffirm our support for every doctor having a usual GP and regular confidential checkups as a voluntary and preventive measure — not a regulatory requirement.”

Dr McMullen said the AMA was looking forward to working with the Board, specialist colleges, CPD homes, and doctors’ health organisations to develop profession-led support mechanisms.

“We welcome the Board’s commitment to ongoing monitoring of complaints data and encourage transparency in how profession-led approaches are evaluated."

The AMA had been engaged in this policy area for many years and had always championed a process that was reasonable and respectful of the contributions of late career doctors, Dr McMullen said.

“The AMA support doctors who want to continue practising medicine to remain in the workforce,” she said. 

“Doctors who continue to practise beyond the age of 70, in most circumstances, do so with sound skill and judgment, adapting their scope of practice, workload, and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure patient safety. It is crucial to recognise their autonomy and the value of their extensive experience, while also safeguarding patient wellbeing.”