Australia: review regarding physician complaint handling
A recent review titled “Transforming Health Professions Regulation in Australia” proposes that AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) should no longer handle minor complaints against general practitioners, with only more serious allegations being escalated to AHPRA. Under the suggested reforms, all notifications against health professionals would be submitted initially via a unified “single front door” system in each state or territory; only serious cases would then proceed to AHPRA. The review—which makes 26 recommendations in total—also calls for improvements in how investigations are conducted, particularly in speeding up processes, improving quality and decision‐making, and providing better clinical advice. There is noted dissatisfaction among practitioners about lengthy wait times, frequent notifications in cases that lead to no further action, and the handling of “frivolous or vexatious” complaints. AHPRA has responded that it is undertaking its own review of the notification system and has introduced “Pathway Navigators” to help complainants navigate the process.