In a recent press release, the AMA expressed its disappointment at the decision of the Queensland Parliament Health, Communities, Disability Services, and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee (the Committee) to pass proposed mandatory reporting laws for doctors treating other medical professionals for mental health issues.
The AMA has long held the position that mandatory reporting laws need to be reformed to ensure that legislation does not actively discourage medical practitioners from seeking medical treatment when they need it. The AMA recommended the Western Australian model, which exempts treating doctors from reporting their doctor patients, be adopted throughout Australia.
The Committee recommended passing the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 in its current form. Under Council of Australian Governments (COAG) arrangements, once passed, the Queensland law will apply in all States and Territories except Western Australia.
The bill includes a higher threshold for mandatory reporting. Under the proposed laws a mandatory report is only required if the practitioner-patient’s impairment reaches the threshold of substantial risk of harm. However, according to the AMA, the bill effectively bars doctors from accessing the same level of health services their patients enjoy, for fear of potential repercussions.
Read the AMA’s response here.