How can I make a complaint?
Making a complaint
If you are unhappy with your appointment or the standard of care you have received, you can make a complaint.
Step 1: Speak to your dermatologist about your concerns
Step 2: If you feel you can’t approach the dermatologist directly, or if you are not satisfied with the dermatologist’s response:
- Make a notification to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Ahpra is responsible for the regulation and accreditation of doctors in Australia.
- Visit Ahpra’s website for instruction on how to make a notification.
- Lodge a complaint with your local health complaints commissioner.
Australian health complaints commissioners
In Australia, AHPRA works with the groups responsible for health complaints in each state and territory. You may need to contact these organisations for particular types of complaints (for example about access to your health information).
- ACT ACT Human Rights Commission
- NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
- NT Health and Community Services Complaints Commission
- QLD Office of the Health Ombudsman
- SA Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner
- TAS Health Complaints Commissioner
- VIC Health Complaints Commissioner
- WA Health and Disability Services Complaints Office
National Health Practitioner Ombudsmen (NHPO)
The NHPO accept complaints about accreditation organisations undertaking accreditation functions under the National Law and specialist medical colleges in relation to approved programs of study. They can assist with
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- complaints to the Ombudsman about accreditation organisations’ processes.
- complaints to the Commissioner about the use of personal information and alleged breaches of privacy by accreditation organisations.
For more information on how to make a complaint, please refer to their website: https://www.nhpo.gov.au/
Checking registration
Like all health professionals, dermatologists must be registered to practice in Australia. You can check that a dermatologist is registered in Australia at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority website.Remember
- Dermatologists must follow the highest standard of ethics and clinical practice.
- You have the right to make a complaint if you have concerns.
- The Australasian College of Dermatologists can't investigate complaints but you can find information on relevant organisations above.
