AMA and MBA meet to discuss health checks for older doctors

The AMA Federal Council and representatives of state/territory AMAs met with the Medical Board of Australia chair, Dr Anne Tonkin, recently to discuss the proposal to introduce health checks for late career doctors. 

The meeting  provided an opportunity for Federal Council to participate in a productive discussion with Dr Tonkin. 

Dr Tonkin assured Federal Council the Medical Board would not introduce revalidation or mandatory retirement. She also stressed the board would not require doctors to disclose the results of their health checks. This aspect would always remain confidential. 

The AMA reiterated its views that health checks must:

• support doctors to remain in the workforce
• encourage all doctors to see their own regular medical practitioner
• be a tool to engage in health prevention measures and address any health concerns early.

We are currently working through the Board’s proposal and prepare a submission in response. The proposal for a health check emerged from an Expert Advisory Group that was formed by the Board several years ago, with the AMA strongly opposing any moves towards UK style revalidation – something that was ultimately rejected by the EAG and Medical Board.

We thank Dr Tonkin once again for her time.