No public benefit in ACCC attacks on Rockhampton obstetricians
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, has today written to ACCC Chairman, Allan Fels, calling on the Commission to stop its action against three Rockhampton obstetricians.
ACCC Commissioners are set to consider the case in Canberra tomorrow.
Dr Phelps said there is no public benefit in what the ACCC is doing to these hardworking doctors, their families and the Rockhampton community.
"This case fails the commonsense test," Dr Phelps said.
"These doctors are being punished for providing 24-hour, 7-day-a-week obstetric services to the people of Rockhampton and surrounding district.
"As a result of the heavy-handed work of the ACCC, one of the doctors has withdrawn from obstetrics and another will withdraw his services in a matter of weeks, including the important work carried out at local Aboriginal communities.
"There are no winners in this situation.
"The doctors and their families have been subjected to unnecessary pressure and stress by the ACCC investigation and persecution, and the community is losing important medical services - all because of the overzealous application of some outdated and inappropriate legislation.
"The Trade Practices Act (TPA) was never intended to be applied in these circumstances with such negative outcomes for the Rockhampton community.
"The AMA urges the Commission to cease its prosecution of the Rockhampton doctors and its pursuit of other medical practitioners, and has a total rethink of how it applies the TPA to doctors whose primary objective is to provide the best possible care to their patients and their communities.
"Ripping vital services from communities - especially in rural and regional Australia - is not going to win the ACCC many friends," Dr Phelps said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076