Top doctor says AHPRA complaint was a ‘politically motivated’ attempt to silence him

Doctors' union leader Dr David Pope faced a referral over breaching patient confidentiality in media interviews.
Dr David Pope.

A leading doctor has revealed he was referred to AHPRA after speaking up about two patient cases in 2016 while advocating for hospital doctors.

Dr David Pope, president of the SA Salaried Medical Officers’ Association, spoke out about the investigation after RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins revealed she was investigated earlier this year over her comments on 60-day prescribing. 

The emergency physician said he had not treated, or even met, the two patients in question, including one who said he had lost a testicle as a result of surgery delays. 

Both patients shared their stories of poor hospital treatment with the media.