More than 150 doctors suspended by medical board under emergency powers, new figures show
Cosmetic surgery complaints and an increase in doctors facing multiple notifications have helped drive the increase, says AHPRA
The use of emergency suspensions has almost doubled, reaching 153 during the last financial year, data from the Medical Board of Australia show.
The watchdog also used its immediate action powers to put conditions on doctors’ registration another 137 times over the same period.
In total, the board said it took immediate action on 344 occasions, compared with 195 occasions in 2020/21.
There has been a growing debate on the board’s use of emergency powers, with some doctors arguing that they have been unfairly suspended before they have a chance to argue their innocence.
