Health Complaints

Health Complaints Commission

(1800 001 170)

Most doctors do their utmost for their patients, but there may be a time when you are unhappy with the care you receive from a medical practitioner.  If this happens:

1. Talk to your doctor about why you are unhappy with the care or advice you have received. They should be willing to discuss any concerns you have.

2. You may prefer to discuss your concerns with another doctor in the practice or the practice manager. If you are unhappy with these responses, or you think the care you received was not of a good standard, then you may consider contacting the Health Complaints Commission.

The Health Complaints Commissioner is an independent and accessible ombudsman. The Commissioner strongly emphasises conciliation in resolving complaints between patients and providers. Serious complaints are investigated. The Commissioner also recommends action to improve health services.

You may go to the Commissioner if you have a complaint about the services of dentists, medical practitioners, hospitals, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers in a health setting, ambulances, nursing homes, hostels, supported residential services, nurses, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and others.

The Commissioner will determine if your complaint is a serious matter affecting standards of care and whether it should be referred to the Medical Council of Tasmania.

Health Complaints Commission
99 Bathurst Street, Hobart Tasmania. 7000 
Complaints and information: (1800 001 170) Free call
Telephone: (03) 6233 8966    Fax: (03) 6233 8966

Postal address
GPO Box 960
Hobart TAS  7001

Email: health.complaints@ombudsman.tas.gov.au

Business hours:
8.45am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays)

Hobart office:

Ground Floor, 99 Bathurst Street
Hobart  Tas  7000

 Launceston office:

Henty House, 1 Civic Square
Launceston  Tas  7250

Medical Council of Tasmania

The Medical Council of Tasmania is a statutory authority, established to protect the public and guide doctors in relation to standards and professional conduct. The Council registers medical practitioners with appropriate qualifications and training, investigates complaints relating to professional conduct and fitness to practice and develops guidelines for doctors on a range of issues. The Council protects the community from any doctor who may be unqualified, incompetent, or unprofessional.

Medical Council of Tasmania
306 Murray Street, Hobart Tasmania 7000

Telephone: (03) 6233 5499; Facsimile: (03) 6233 7986

Web: www.medicalcounciltas.com.au

E-mail: mct@medicalcounciltas.com.au

All correspondence addressed to

The Registrar
Medical Council of Tasmania
PO Box 8
SOUTH HOBART
TAS   7004

Pharmaceutical Services DHHS

Chief Pharmacist
Mary Sharpe
Phone: 6233 2064
Fax: 6233 3904
Email: Mary Sharpe

Webpage click here

Medical Records and their disposal

Disposal of medical records is the responsibility of a medical practitioner or the personal representative of a deceased medical practitioner.

It would be considered appropriate professional behaviour for a medical practitioner intending to leave a medical practice, to notify established patients directly and/or by letter (including facsimile or email) or indirectly by newspaper advertisement and by display of notices at the place of practice. Such notification should provide patients with options on the transfer of care and details of how their medical records may be transferred.

Ideally, all medical records will be disposed of by transfer to the patient or the patient's new medical advisor (with the patient's consent wherever practicable).

 Click here for a full policy on the matter.