AHPRA cuts investigations into doctors by 80% as ‘less serious’ complaints weeded out
The numbers may fall further with new powers allowing doctors to share records without breaching patient privacy.
The Medical Board of Australia says it has cut the number of complaints progressing to full-blown investigations by around 80% in less than two years.
New investigations per month fell from an average of 114 between July 2021 and March 2022 to an average of 25 between May 2022 and February 2023, showed data provided to AusDoc.
AHPRA said it hoped the numbers would fall further thanks to legal changes that began on Monday allowing doctors to share patient records with the watchdog without risking a breach of patient privacy.
Referring to the reductions, a spokesperson added: “We have sought to limit the use of investigations to serious allegations that could amount to referral to an independent panel or tribunal.’
