The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) supports outcomes from today’s COAG Health Ministers’ meeting, moving one step closer to ensuring Australian health professionals can seek mental health treatment without fear of being reported.
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said he was pleased to hear the state and federal health ministers would work closely with the RACGP to implement an effective, safety-based model.
“Today’s outcome is positive and, if implemented, will protect health professionals to seek treatment without fear of being reported,” Dr Seidel said.
“Everyone should be able to seek health care without fear of being reported and losing their job.
“We must strengthen support for practitioners with health issues and move away from judging and punishing them.”
Dr Seidel said the new model would also increase patient safety.
“We need to look after the health practitioners who look after everyone else in the community,” Dr Seidel said.
“The RACGP appreciates the hard work, evidence based approach and strong leadership by Minister Hunt on this issue.
“We are looking forward to working closely with the state and federal health ministers to continue to inform and shape this legislation.”