AHPRA says it is attempting to soften the complaints process for ‘low-risk’ doctors when they are first notified of complaints against them.

There have been long-running concerns about the enormous fear and anxiety triggered when contacted by the watchdog.

But AHPRA says, since February it has been taking a “more efficient” and “relatively pain free” approach through more informal conversations with practitioners over the phone.

“When the concern is more serious, we’re likely to want something in writing,” says AHPRA’s national director of notifications Matthew Hardy.