Losing Patients: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

Australia's doctors are getting some bad headlines.

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Against a background of allegations and scandals, Insight asks: just how accountable is your doctor? Do we too readily take our doctor (and their diagnosis) at face value?

The NSW Government has just approved draft legislation for a big overhaul of the medical regulatory system. Once enacted, this will be the toughest in the country.

But how do we really compare to other countries?

In the US and the UK patients can access their surgeon's success rates with some procedures. But does such a system lead practitioners to avoid risky patients?

Much has already been made of a newly agreed system of registration for doctors in Australia. But how much difference will this actually make?

Insight brings together the doctors, medical associations, and the people with first hand stories of things going seriously wrong.

Meet the Guests

Dr Rosanna Capolingua

Dr Rosanna Capolingua is the president of the Australian Medical Association, an organisation that represents more than 27,000 doctors. Dr Capolingua has headed the AMA since 2007 and maintains a Perth general practice.

Dr Charlie Teo

Dr Charlie Teo is a neurosurgeon and director of the Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Prince of Wales Private Hospital in Sydney. Dr Teo received his qualifications at the University of NSW and has spent ten years training and practicing in the United States.

Dr Andrew Sutherland

Dr Andrew Sutherland is the president of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, an organisation that represents more than 7,100 surgeons in Australia and New Zealand. The college is responsible for maintaining surgical standards, training and education.

Beryl Crosby

Beryl Crosby believed she had six months to live in early 2004 when Dr Jayant Patel told her she had cancer. After planning her own funeral, a second opinion showed she did not have cancer. Ms Crosby is now a convenor of the Bundaberg Hospital Patients’ Support Group.

Sandy Brooks

Sandy Brooks worked as a midwife at Sydney Adventist Hospital for 18 years up until 2002. During her time at the hospital she worked as a midwife with Graeme Reeves who is the subject of allegations about his work as an obstetrician in Bega.