Do doctors need a complaints body to report abusive and malicious patients?

  • Opinion
  • Associate Professor Vinay Rane
  • 22 October 2025

In the Australian healthcare system, there is no genuine avenue for doctors, nurses or allied health professionals to address unreasonable or malicious behaviour from patients or their families. 

There is simply no forum to hear the concerns of those who care for others. 

We have spent years defining and defending patients’ rights, yet almost no time discussing patients’ responsibilities.

Patients today have a wide range of options when aggrieved.