Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that Senator Madigan's name be added as a co-sponsor of this motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Madigan, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 23 June 2016:

The medical complaints process in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the prevalence of bullying and harassment in Australia’s medical profession;

(b) any barriers, whether real or perceived, to medical practitioners reporting bullying and harassment;

(c) the roles of the Medical Board of Australia, the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and other relevant organisations in managing investigations into the professional conduct (including allegations of bullying and harassment), performance or health of a registered medical practitioner or student;

(d) the operation of the Health Practitioners Regulation National Law Act 2009 (the National Law), particularly as it relates to the complaints handling process;

(e) whether the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, established under the National Law, results in better health outcomes for patients, and supports a world-class standard of medical care in Australia;

(f) the benefits of 'benchmarking' complaints about complication rates of particular medical practitioners against complication rates for the same procedure against other similarly qualified and experienced medical practitioners when assessing complaints;

(g) the desirability of requiring complainants to sign a declaration that their complaint is being made in good faith; and

(h) any related matters.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is enacted by state and territory law. It is not Commonwealth legislation. Work is already underway to address many of the issues in the terms of reference. For example, health ministers have already approved recommendations from the NRAS review to streamline and improve the AHPRA's notification and complaints systems. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has released a report on the issues of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment. The RACS has accepted all recommendations and developed an action plan in response. The RACS is working collaboratively with all major stakeholders, including the AMA and state and territory health departments, to address cultural issues and to ensure that medical practitioners feel that they will be treated fairly and transparently if they make a report or notification.

Question agreed to.