In a submission to the Medical Board of Australia (MBA), the AMA is calling on the Board to fund better access to doctors' health services across the country.

 

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said doctors are at greater risk of mental illness and stress-related problems and are more susceptible to substance abuse than the general population.

 

“In order to deliver high-quality health care to their patients and the community, and to experience medicine as a rewarding and satisfying career, doctors need to be well,” Dr Hambleton said.

 

The AMA proposes that the MBA provide funding for existing doctors' health advisory services, which have established networks and strong local knowledge.  Prior to the introduction of national registration, the MBA funded services in some States.

 

While the MBA has a role to play in funding external doctors' health advisory services, funding arrangements must be structured so as to guarantee independence from the MBA and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.  This is essential if doctors are to trust these services and utilise them at an early stage in their illness.