COMPLAINTS (NOTIFICATION) PROCEDURE INFORMATION

In protecting the community, the Board is responsible for investigating complaints (or notifications) about the professional conduct of doctors in accordance with the Medical Practitioners Act 2008 ("the Act").

Complaints about the provision of health services or the conduct of other health professionals can be made to the Office of Health Review or the relevant registration board for that profession.

To view some of the Frequently Asked Questions when making a complaint to the Board about a doctor, please click here.

You can also click the link below to access a notification form and an information sheet, if you wish to notify the Board about the professional conduct of a doctor.

Standards of Medical Practice
All doctors who work in Western Australia must be registered with the Medical Board. The Board has strict guidelines to ensure that only doctors with recognised qualifications capable of practising medicine at a high standard are registered.

Conduct of Doctors
Doctors are required to behave in a professional manner towards their patients at all times. When you consult a doctor you can expect the doctor to provide competent advice and treatment.

Complaints
If you are unhappy with your medical treatment or your doctor's behaviour, if possible, you should first try to resolve the matter with the doctor concerned. If this is not possible, the Medical Board may be able to deal with your complaint.

You may also complain to the Board if you believe that someone not qualified is claiming to be a doctor and offering medical treatment to the public.

TYPES OF COMPLAINTS (NOTIFICATIONS)
It is important for you to know that the Board can act only on complaints that concern breaches of the Act by a doctor. A doctor could be breaching the Act if he or she is careless or incompetent in providing medical treatment or if he or she behaves improperly towards you.

It is not always easy for the person making the complaint to know if it involves a breach of the Act.

If your complaint does not involve a breach of the Act, the Board may (with your permission) refer the matter to the Office of Health Review, which offers a complaints resolution service based on conciliation.

PROCESS FOR MAKING A COMPLAINT (NOTIFICATION) TO THE BOARD
A notification form must be completed. Click here to download the PDF file. You should give a clear description of events that are the subject of your complaint. Should the space on the form be insufficient, you should attach additional documentation, which should also be signed on each page and numbered.

The doctor will be required, in most instances, to provide a written response to the Board in relation to your complaint. The Board's Complaints Assessment Committee ("the Committee") considers your complaint and the doctor's response, along with other relevant information such as medical records. The Committee may request further information or obtain medical or legal advice in order to make a final recommendation to the Board.

The Board will advise you whether or not it considers that the Act may have been breached and whether or not there are sufficient grounds to proceed to a disciplinary hearing.

Please contact the Complaints Coordinator on (08) 6380 3500 if you have any further queries

COMPENSATION
The Medical Board cannot award compensation or damages for injury. If you believe you are entitled to compensation because of the actions of a doctor, you may pursue the matter through the civil jurisdiction (seek legal advice) or the Office of Health Review.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE OFFICE OF HEALTH REVIEW

Level 17, St Martins Tower
44 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000

Postal Address
GPO Box B61
PERTH WA 6838

Telephone (08) 9323 0600
Fax (08) 9221 3675

Country Callers 1800 813 583 (Telephone)