News

Ahpra update

Published 1 August 2023

AMA Queensland recently met with Ahpra in late July as part of our ongoing liaison with the regulator.

Topics discussed included: 

  • Doctor wellbeing and regulatory action 
  • National Law amendments 
  • IT transformation project 
  • Kruk Review. 

Ahpra has also agreed to provide advice on:  

  • The role of GPs and cosmetic surgeons in body dysmorphic disorder assessments and appropriate tools 
  • Ahpra’s and the Office of the Health Ombudsman’s expectations of GPs when patients threaten to make a complaint because a doctor refuses to write a referral and associated MBS rebate issues 
  • Any relevant information regarding private indemnity insurance and gender transition treatments. 

Key points that AMA Queensland members may find of interest are set out below, including links to relevant materials and information. 

Doctor wellbeing and regulatory action 

Expert Advisory Group recommendations to identify and minimise practitioner distress from regulatory process  

  • All 15 recommendations and 33 actions were accepted by Ahpra and National Boards concerning: 
    • managing practitioner health concerns 
    • being open, transparent and maintaining practitioner hope 
    • supporting practitioners 
    • learning from practitioner experience 
  • Research (published May 2023) into ways treating practitioners can recognise, support and assist doctors with mental health or substance use challenges who are facing regulatory processes. Includes: 
    • predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective factors associated with regulatory processes and poor health 
    • psychological and non-psychological impacts of notifications on unwell doctors 
    • implications for general practice. 
  • Survey Results: Practitioner sentiment and perceptions of Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia 
    • Ahpra - Medical practitioners had the lowest positive perception (just 35%), trust (40%) and confidence (35%) in Ahpra. 
    • Medical Board of Australia - Medical practitioners were amongst the practice groups with the lowest positive perceptions (41%), trust (38%) and confidence (40%) in the Medical Board of Australia alongside paramedicine and psychology practice groups. 
    • Assessment of support received - Medical practitioners also reported the lowest (23%) perception of support received from Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia of all practitioner groups, alongside paramedicine. 
    • Survey report key insights - Levels of trust and confidence in Ahpra and the Boards represent a potential challenge that will be important to address to maintain organisational legitimacy. Several practitioner groups appear disengaged or dissatisfied with Ahpra and the National Boards. Paramedics, medical practitioners, psychologists, and chiropractors expressed negative sentiments toward Ahpra and their Boards, often repeatedly.
  • Blueprint to better protect patients from sexual misconduct 
    • This includes a review of the criminal history registration standard. 
    • Further details are currently being determined by Federal and State Health Ministers and departments. 

National Law amendments  

IT transformation project 

  • Salesforce is being implemented in stages (first release anticipated August 2023), including: 
    • an integrated, working public register and practitioner information exchange. 
    • working system with migrated data for Ahpra case management. 
  • Medical renewals and the medical training survey will not be disrupted. 

Kruk Review

  • Independent review of health practitioner regulatory settings, including overseas health professionals and students in final stages. 
  • Interim findings have been released and final report is currently with the Federal and State Health Ministers.