Our latest podcast is an essential listen for all doctors
No images? Click here
President's message
Welcome to our first edition of 2025.
I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all the new NSW doctors-in-training who have joined our ranks this year. A career in medicine can be challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
One of the things we most fear as doctors is receiving a complaint – whether you are at the beginning of your career or have decades of experience as a doctor. This is where the work of the Medical Council is especially important – receiving and managing complaints, supporting patient safety and ensuring the highest standards of professional conduct.
In this edition, we explore how the Council responds to complaints and address some myths about our role (note, we don’t deregister doctors) along the way.
Dr Liz Tompsett
President
Medical Council of NSW
Title
The doctor is in: your home for Q and A
Got questions? Our latest Q and A section provides clear, concise answers to your most common queries.
Podcast
Inside the Medical Council: what every doctor needs to know
Many doctors are unaware of what the Medical Council does, and how they manage complaints.
We spoke with Dr Saskia Fung, Chair of the Australasian Prevocational Medical Officers’ Committee and Dr Sanjay Hettige, Chair of the AMA Council of Doctors in Training. Our host, Dr Penelope Elix, answered their burning questions about complaints, the work of the Medical Council and more.
Whether you're just starting out or wanting to learn more, this episode is full of information you won’t want to miss.
Meet a hearing member and read her tips on avoiding a complaint
Dr Katherine Smartt is a GP and hearing member for the Medical Council. In this interview, she explains what hearing members do and how the Council approaches performance related concerns and its role in working with doctors to improve their practice.
Unpacking the decision-making process
The likelihood of a doctor being the subject of a complaint to regulators increases the longer they are in practice.
But did you know the majority of complaints are discontinued, and your response may impact the outcome of a complaint?
We share four case studies to illustrate how the Medical Council handles complaints. They also show why the Council might choose to discontinue a complaint or put conditions on a doctor’s registration.
Code of conduct quiz
How well do you know the Medical Board of Australia’s Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia?
Take our short quiz to see how familiar you are with the Code.
NSW Health reports increased prescription forgeries – what you can do
You can help prevent prescription forgeries by:
- Implementing effective security measures that prevent public access to prescription stationery.
- Helping pharmacists verify the legitimacy of prescriptions.
- Regularly updating passwords to electronic prescribing systems and store them securely.
Always report lost, stolen or forged prescriptions and stationery. To make a report and view a list of recent notifications visit the Pharmaceutical Services Unit here.
News bites
Updated social media guidance
Ahpra recently completed a review of their social media guidance, Social media: How to meet your obligations under the National Law.
It includes new examples of when social media activities are likely to warrant investigation by a National Board including the Medical Board of Australia. All health practitioners are encouraged to look at the updated guidance.
Less is more: deprescribing for safer ageing
MJA InSight+. Authors Professor Liz Marles (ACSQH) with pharmacists Alaa Qassim and Sankit Lalseta, and President of the RACP, Professor Jennifer Martin.
They highlight the critical role of deprescribing in older patients and managing medications to ensure optimal health outcomes.
We care what you think
The Medical Council newsletter aims to keep you updated about your regulatory responsibilities as a NSW medical practitioner as well as provide resources to support you to provide safe, professional care to your patients.
To help us improve our service to you, we would appreciate it if you could take 3-4 minutes to complete our anonymous survey. Your feedback can shape the content and timing of our newsletter for future editions.
