Following an uptick in social media related AHPRA complaints, the college has prompted for AHPRA to be more open about what is considered ‘inappropriate’.
Frustrations have developed over delays in AHPRA’s assessments of complaints against GPs expressing views on the Gaza conflict, with the RACGP writing to the regulator calling for it to show greater clarity on its social media policies.
The RACGP letter to AHPRA highlighted member complaints over the regulator’s unclear stance on social media usage and political statements on related channels.
The letter advocated for a proactive statement on how to use the complaints system effectively, along with a commitment to fast-tracking the assessment and finalisation of said complaints.
“These measures will provide clarity for both health practitioners and prospective notifiers about what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and when a notification is warranted,” the RACGP’s letter said.
“The RACGP is willing to work with AHPRA to promote any additional guidance or information on this topic via our own communication channels.”
This request to the regulator aligns with the college’s prior statements of concern with AHPRA’s complaint resolution times.
A lack of communication from AHPRA to doctors subject to a notification, along with inconsistent resolution timelines were among the reasons for needed reform as recommended by the RACGP.
A study from 2023 showed this was an issue with the system itself; the regulator is only mandated to protect the public, not necessarily to consider practitioner wellbeing.
This prompted an RACGP submission in April to the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman investigation.
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“The subsequent investigation and resolution of these matters often extends far beyond what could reasonably be considered ‘as quickly as practicable’ under section 162 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law,” the submission said.
An update to the RACGP’s statement on the Gaza conflict has also been released highlighting how the conflict has triggered a rise in bigotry.
The RACGP echoed the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner’s statement addressing how a lack of recognition for the suffering of all people is dehumanising and thus produces bigotry.
The college has reiterated its concerns on the conflict, condemning any destruction of “healthcare facilities, vehicles and other infrastructure and resources required to maintain human health and life, including restriction of aid and mass starvation”.
“We join with the global community in calling for international humanitarian law to be adhered to, and any alleged violations of international law to be swiftly investigated,” the RACGP said.
“We echo calls for a timely resolution to this conflict to end the suffering of innocent civilians on all sides.”
The RACGP said it would be eager to work with AHPRA and the Medical Board to introduce revised processes when it comes to vetting social media and political statement related complaints.
According to the college, this would “[free] up time and resources for AHPRA to investigate genuinely harmful content and behaviour.”
