‘Patients want answers’: Why the health practitioner watchdog needs to show it’s working
Patients and advocates are criticizing Australia’s healthcare watchdog, AHPRA, for a lack of transparency and poor communication regarding investigations into medical negligence. The agency is now facing pressure to implement major reforms to improve its complaints handling and decision-making processes.
Why it matters
Effective medical regulation is essential for public safety and maintaining trust in the healthcare system, especially when dealing with allegations of gross misconduct.
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Share A A A Injured, chronically ill and traumatised patients have accused Australia’s healthcare practitioner watchdog of failing to adequately investigate allegations of gross negligence and misconduct by doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals.
Patients and their loved ones who have battled through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) complaints system will be closely watching the implementation of major reforms over the next five years that were designed to better protect the public and build a safe health workforce.
AHPRA has been ordered to improve its complaints handling processes and decision-making immediately. Aresna Villanueva They described a lack of transparency in AHPRA’s handling of their complaints and why some allegations against practitioners were dismissed without investigation, as well as decision-making by practitioners’ boards to close investigations without further action.
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