Ten GPs have been suspended under emergency powers for sharing COVID-19 conspiracy theories or flouting public health orders in the past financial year, AHPRA has revealed. 

The new figures emerged after a Senate hearing where AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher said the watchdog had received 1303 notifications in 2021/22 about health professionals’ conduct around COVID-19, out of around 10,000 total notifications.

Only 28 complaints were serious enough to lead to immediate action, including 21 suspensions.

“[The other] seven are subject to restrictions or conditions related to supervision or limitations of their vaccine exemptions or prescribing,” Mr Fletcher said.