President's message: December 2019

This time of year can bring health issues to the fore. It is important that fear about mandatory notification does not prevent you or a colleague you know from seeking treatment. Read more on changes ahead to mandatory notifications and how they affect you.

As we start to wind down, the upcoming festive season is an opportune time to consider your own health. So why do you need a doctor if you are one? Dr Elizabeth Campbell explains why having your own GP is an essential element of self-care and what makes doctors unique patients. We also share what some NSW practitioners are doing to support their health during the break and beyond.  I hope their ideas inspire you to reflect on your own well-being goals   in 2020.

A key theme of complaints to the Council is communication. In this edition we examine how poor communication between peers can lead to fragmentation of care, with the patient caught in the middle being the one who ultimately suffers. 

Council continues to receive complaints from patients about skin staining following iron infusions. The common themes in these complaints relate to patient’s informed consent. We provide some important tips for GPs to ensure patients are across the risks and possible complications.

Finally, on behalf of the Medical Council, I wish you and your family a safe and joyful festive season.

Kind regards,

Associate Professor Richard Walsh, President Medical Council of NSW