Deregistered doctors would have to apply to a tribunal for reinstatement rather than the Medical Board of Australia under a suite of changes proposed by state and territory health ministers.

Doctors found guilty of professional misconduct for sexual boundary breaches would also have their entire regulatory history, including non-sexual incidents, listed on AHPRA’s public register under the plan.

It is a response to media coverage of doctors and other health professionals returning to practise after suspensions or deregistration — in particular, a Four Corners exposé in February last year.

“You would expect that, if a doctor, nurse or psychologist had been found to have kissed, groped or had sex with a patient, they would no longer be allowed to practise,” the online version of the story began.