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

Launceston office: Henty House, 1 Civic Square Launceston  Tas  7250

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

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

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Click here for information on the complaint process and lodging complaints. (1300 419 495)

From 1 July 2010, AHPRA is the national agency responsible for the registration and accreditation of ten health professions in Australia. The National Law has been enacted by all States and Territories except Western Australia.

For a full list of Medical Practitioners around the country click here.

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).

For more information click here.

Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading

For Financial enquiries:

Address:  Level 3, 15 Murray Street, Hobart 7000  or  GPO Box 1244, Hobart 7001

Phone:  1300 65 44 99
Fax:      (03) 6233 4882

E-Mail:  consumer.affairs@justice.tas.gov.au

Web Address:  www.consumer.tas.gov.au