Mandatory reporting of health professionals: the case for a Western Australian style exemption for all Australian practitioners
Goiran, H.Nick.; Kay, M.; Nash, L.; Haysom, G.
Journal of Law and Medicine 22(1): 209-220
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1320-159X PMID: 25341329 Document Number: 678858
This article discusses the current mandatory reporting obligations for health practitioners in Australia under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. It provides a summary of the mandatory notification legislation, and contextualises the introduction of this law. The details of the Western Australian exemption, under which a treating doctor is exempt from mandatory reporting of a doctor-patient, and the rationale for its introduction are examined. This is followed by a consideration of the potential impact of the mandatory reporting obligations. The authors argue that the Western Australian exemption has merit and should be considered for adoption throughout Australia.