GPs subject to AHPRA complaints after publicly criticising the treatment of citizens in Gaza are spending months under investigation, even when complaints are frivolous, the RACGP has claimed.

In a letter to the watchdog last week, president Dr Michael Wright wrote: “The college has received representations from multiple GP members who report being the subject of complaints … after expressing opinions, including those of a political nature, on social media, or participating in activities criticising the treatment of civilians in Gaza.

“These members advise complaints are taking several months to investigate, despite ultimately resulting in no disciplinary action being taken against the practitioner.”

He said every effort must be made to improve the timeliness of investigations to minimise the harm caused to practitioners, “particularly when a complaint is made vexatiously or deemed frivolous by AHPRA”.