Distressed doctors demand COAG action on mandatory reporting

BRISBANE, Australia - April 12, 2018 - PRLog -- Queensland doctors have thrown their weight behind a push for COAG to today adopt a national system for mandatory reporting.

With doctors and other health workers showing the highest suicide rate in Australia's white-collar workforce, AMA Queensland President Bill Boyd said it was time to provide a safe and confidential environment for doctors to seek help for their own mental health conditions.

"Many doctors know a colleague who has attempted or committed suicide," Dr Boyd said. "It's shocking and young doctors are particularly at risk.

"The current mandatory reporting laws discourage doctors from seeking treatment for a mental health condition because they worry about the effect on their medical registration and ruining their career.

"We must make it easier and more acceptable for health professionals to seek care for their own health."

In Sydney today, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting of health ministers is expected to decide a way forward for mandatory reporting.

AMA Queensland has long advocated for a change to the state's mandatory reporting laws, beginning with the release of Part Two of its Health Vision (https://www.amaq.com.au/page/Advocacy/AMA_Queenslands_Hea...) in 2015, advocating for Queensland to introduce WA's exemption to mandatory reporting laws.

"In Western Australia, a health practitioner can see a GP or psychiatrist and get help for their condition without fear of being reported to the regulators," Dr Boyd explained.

"The WA system has proven it works and now it's time for the rest of the country to follow suit.

"We need a national system that encourage doctors to seek support and ensures patients are kept safe.

"Having healthy doctors leads to healthier patients."

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