What we do

Doctors’ Health NSW (previously known as Doctors’ Health Advisory Service NSW) aims to ensure that every doctor, medical student, dentist and vet across NSW has ready access to healthcare.

Doctors’ Health NSW:

  • Advocates for doctors’ health and wellbeing;
  • Is independent of all professional, employment and registration organisations;
  • Operates a confidential free 24/7 phone service for callers to speak with an experienced doctor;
  • Is run by experienced GPs and other specialist medical practitioners;
  • Is connected with a network of doctors, specialists and other services;
  • Provides education and other activities relevant to doctors’ health and wellbeing.


Doctors' Health NSW strongly recommends that all practitioners and students have their own GP. The service provided by Doctors' Health NSW is not a substitute for seeking appropriate ongoing treatment and care from your own GP and/or other specialist.  

Background

The need to help colleagues with personal and health problems has long been recognised by the medical profession.

NSW doctors who were concerned for colleagues, first met in 1975 to begin the foundations of the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service. With the support of the Medical Benevolent Association of NSW and the Australian Medical Association (NSW), a management committee was formed in 1982 and doctors and specialists were rostered to take calls from colleagues needing support.

The service is now a registered charity and is overseen by a board of directors. Since 2016 we have received some financial support from the Medical Board of Australia, administered by Doctors' Health Services Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the AMA. In 2022 the service updated its name to Doctors’ Health NSW.

Please note that although some funding is received from the Medical Board of Australia, Doctors’ Health NSW is strictly independent of all medical registration bodies and all other employment or training organisations.

Walkway to beach


Who we are

Board Members

Chair: Dr Ameeta Patel FRACGP, MBBS (Hons), DRANZCOG, GAICD
Consultant General Practitioner

Director: Dr Penny Browne MBBS, FRACGP, MHL, GAICD
Senior staff specialist, General Practice

Director: Ms Meredith McVey OAM
Social Worker and Official Visitor, Ministry of Health

Director: Dr Luke Morphett B Med Sc (Hons), B Med, Grad Dip Genet Couns, FRACGP
General Practitioner, General Practice

Director: Dr Choong-Siew Yong MB BS, FRANZCP, Cert Child Adol Psych, MAICD, FAMA
Child and adolescent psychiatrist

Dr Timothy West MBBS FRACP
Clinical Immunologist and Allergist and Director of Physician Education

Staff Members

Medical Director: Dr Kathryn Hutt MBBS, BSc(Med), MPH, MA (Applied Ethics), GAICD

Program Manager:  Ms Samantha Hall

Clinical Program Manager:  Ms Amy Webster BA(Psych), MA

Administrator: Ms Barbara Fleming

Confidentiality 

Doctors' Health NSW does not collect any identifiable data without permission. You have the right to deal with us anonymously or under a pseudonym, unless it is impractical to do so, or unless we are required or authorised by law to only deal with identified individuals.