AMA calls on Health Ministers to review draft policy on national registration for doctors
The AMA Economics and Workforce Committee (EWC) is again calling on Health Ministers to reject draft national registration proposals contained in a discussion paper prepared by the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council (AHMAC).
EWC Chair, Dr Choong-Siew Yong, said today the AHMAC proposals are discriminatory and would adversely affect women doctors and rural doctors in particular.
"At a time when we are desperately trying to attract doctors to regional and outer-suburban areas of health need, aspects of these national registration proposals would work against this objective," Dr Yong said.
"The AMA is supportive of enhanced mutual recognition initiatives, which will allow doctors to practice in other States without extra cost or red tape, but other draconian measures will reduce the availability of doctors where they are needed most.
"According to the AHMAC proposals, doctors will lose their right to practise without supervision if they:
- Don't fully comply with requirements to participate in Medical College programs
- Take time out of clinical practice for two years to raise a family or travel
- Study or work in academia or government.
"Hardest hit would be female doctors, doctors who work part-time, and those involved in study, research, overseas work, or the public service.
"The bottom line is that the proposals as they stand simply present obstacles and red tape and do nothing to improve quality, safety or the provision of medical services in areas where they are needed.
"The AMA is prepared to work with the Government, the profession and the community to develop alternative, evidence based models of medical registration to ensure the provision of the highest quality of medical services to the community," Dr Yong said.
12 July 2002
CONTACT: Patrick Tobin, 02 6270 5435