Update: Statement on the healthcare crisis in Gaza – 15 August 2025
The RACGP has published an updated statement on the healthcare crisis in Gaza.
Statement on the healthcare crisis in Gaza - 15 August 2025
Update on Gaza-linked Ahpra notifications process – 29 August 2025
The RACGP recently raised concerns with Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia about how notifications are being managed, particularly in cases linked to the Gaza conflict.
Its CEO, Justin Untersteiner, provided a direct and timely response, confirming its commitment to addressing all concerns in a respectful and efficient manner while thoroughly investigating allegations involving discrimination or racism.
Ahpra reported that only a small number of notifications have been received to date. These primarily relate to:
- social media posts or public statements
- practitioner behaviour at protests or public events
- comments made to colleagues or patients.
To strengthen its handling of these matters, Ahpra has established specialised case managers trained in cultural safety, human rights, and the unique challenges of managing complaints linked to geopolitical conflicts. This training has included sessions with the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, the Islamophobia Register, and the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Importantly, Ahpra has also put in place safeguards against vexatious complaints. Case managers are trained to apply the agency’s vexatious notifications framework, which is designed to identify and close matters that may be frivolous, unfounded, or lodged in bad faith. This approach aims to protect practitioners from unnecessary distress while ensuring that genuine concerns are investigated thoroughly and appropriately.
Where concerns involve social media, posts are assessed against the good medical practice code of conduct and Ahpra’s Social Media Guide.
This guidance was recently updated and promoted across newsletters and digital channels, which resulted in greater practitioner engagement with these resources.
The agency advised it will continue to expand education efforts and looks forward to further collaboration with the RACGP in relation to member awareness of professional responsibilities online.
Statement has been updated since originally published on 19 June 2024.
The impact of war on the health of civilians, including children and older people, constitutes a public health emergency.
The immediate and longer-term effects of serious injury, trauma, and loss of loved ones are immeasurable and can last for many years in the aftermath of war.
All people have the right to access safe healthcare. Medical neutrality in conflict zones must never be sacrificed, and no health workers should fear for their safety simply by doing their job caring for people.
The RACGP supports the World Medical Association Council Resolution on the Protection of Healthcare.
We acknowledge the harm this war is causing to humanity and the distress to our members, including those caught up in the conflict, any members in the region helping patients, as well as those who have lost loved ones. Our hearts go out to them and their families.
We are also mindful of members who have previously lived and worked in conflict zones, those with family and loved ones in the region living in fear every day, as well as members who have been impacted by this devastating conflict. The College acknowledges all the health workers on the frontline doing all they can to care for patients in extremely challenging conditions.
The distress felt by our members and staff is of great concern, and support is available through our GP Support Program and for our staff through our Employee Assistant Program.
The College continues to listen carefully to members who have reached out to share their views.