title: Mandatory reporting of health professionals: the case for a Western Australian style exemption for all Australian practitioners.
abstract: This article discusses the current mandatory reporting obligations for health practitioners in Australia under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. It provides a summary of the mandatory notification legislation, and contextualises the introduction of this law. The details of the Western Australian exemption, under which a treating doctor is exempt from mandatory reporting of a doctor-patient, and the rationale for its introduction are examined. This is followed by a consideration of the potential impact of the mandatory reporting obligations. The authors argue that the Western Australian exemption has merit and should be considered for adoption throughout Australia.
authors.forename: Hon Nick
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Goiran
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Georgie
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haysom
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*