Complaints and Disciplinary Inquiries
Complaints Against Doctors
Patients must be able to trust doctors (registered medical practitioners) with their lives and well-being. To justify that trust, doctors have a duty to maintain a good standard of practice and care and to show respect for human life.
If you have a complaint involving professional misconduct with your doctor, you may lodge your complaint to the Medical Council. This session explains what to do if you want us to investigate a complaint against your doctor. It also tells you what we do when we receive such information. It is hoped that the information contained in this section will foster a greater understanding of the Medical Council's role in dealing with complaints.
- Misconception
- The nature of medicine
- About the Medical Council
- Legal powers of the Medical Council
- How do you make a complaint?
- Is there a time limit for making complaints?
- Can you complain to the Medical Council and to another organisation at the same time?
- How will your complaint be dealt with?
- Will the doctor be informed as soon as you make a complaint?
- What happens if the Medical Council decides not to investigate the complaint?
- What happens if the Medical Council decides to take action?
- What sort of action will the Medical Council take?
- What is the difference between the disciplinary and health procedures?
- What happens if your complaint is referred to the Preliminary Investigation Committee ("PIC")?
- What if the Preliminary Investigation Committee ("PIC") recommends an inquiry?
- Legal costs
- If your complaint is upheld, what will be the outcome?
- Can the doctor appeal against the decision made by the Inquiry Panel of the Medical Council?
- Contact us
- Complaint form
- Personal Information Collection Statement