Following the ABC 7.30 report in July 2019 on the medical regulator’s unsatisfactory handling of health complaints, the public would reasonably expect positive measures from the regulator to get its “act together”.
Although invited by the ABC 7.30 report to attend the interview, Mr Martin Fletcher, CEO of AHPRA, declined the invitation. Instead, AHPRA replied to ABC 7.30 defending its corporate credentials and making a statement to the effect that “we have improved our operations…”
One of AHPRA’s former employees, Mr David Gardner, who is a lawyer by profession, courageously revealed some serious problems within the regulatory agency. He had been laid off by AHPRA, and has recently been referred to the legal services commission to be disciplined in respect of his decision to represent Dr Leong Ng, who was suspended on unsubstantiated allegations.
Dr Leong Ng is a well-respected doctor with a medical degree from the prestigious University of Cambridge, a member of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom, a recognised specialist in Medical Oncology by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
Dr Ng is a passionate and devoted doctor who used to travel around various parts of rural Australia providing medical services. He also helped establish the Health Professionals Australia Reform Association (HPARA), an organisation dedicated to the reform of health care regulation in order to best support the delivery of great health care for all. As a former Director of HPARA, he published many papers on the current regulatory system and the negative impact it has on the healthcare profession and overall patient care.
One of his articles, namely “Guilty till proven innocent – the challenge in dealing with administrative corruption particularly with Sham Peer Reviews” is worth reading.
So, how does AHPRA and the Medical Board treat its critics?
AHPRA sent a letter to Dr Ng proposing an immediate action – suspension of his registration. Dr Ng then engaged Mr Gardner to legally represent him. The National Director of AHPRA wrote to Mr Gardner stating:
“…you acquired confidential information relating to Dr Ng as a consequence of your employment with AHPRA and you now place yourself in a position of conflict in acting for this same practitioner.”… and
“…we are asking you to consider ceasing to act for Dr Ng in respect of this proposed immediate action and the notification more broadly”.
AHPRA then referred Mr Gardner to the legal services commission and suspended Dr Ng’s registration with immediate effect.
With Dr Ng being suspended, it would be a great loss to the Australian rural communities and a serious concern among the healthcare professionals fearing further backlash by the regulators for speaking up.
AHReform will be asking Hon Greg Hunt, the Minister of Health, as to why AHPRA is still allowed to continue its appalling performance despite damning reports from two senate enquiries; the media; and various professional organisations like the Australian Medical Association (AMA), HPARA, and AHReform.
If you are outraged by the regulator’s appalling behaviour and draconian measures taken against people who speak out and stand up to the bullying culture, write to AHReform australianhealthreformgroup@gmail.com and share this petition.
A Royal Commission into the medical regulator may be the only hope our nation has in order to restore the public confidence in our failing healthcare regulatory system.