Answer: The Medical Tribunal is the only body that can de-register a medical practitioner in NSW. The Tribunal is legally separate from and independent of the Medical Council, which provides administrative and technical support for proceedings and implements any orders made.
The Tribunal comprises a District Court Judge (chair), two medical practitioners and one non-medical person. Complaints are prosecuted before the Tribunal by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).
The Tribunal can also order conditions be placed on a medical practitioner's registration. The Medical Council has a role in monitoring those orders. The Council also publishes Medical Tribunal decisions.
The Medical Council and the Medical Tribunal are both established by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW). The Council administers the Law to protect the public by ensuring registered doctors are fit to practise medicine, while the Tribunal adjudicates on serious complaints against doctors.
