Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Doctors’ Health NSW?

Doctors’ Health NSW is an independent, not-for-profit service providing free, confidential support for all NSW based:

  • Doctors
  • Dentists
  • Veterinarians
  • Medical, dental and veterinary students.

We also provide advice to family members, colleagues and friends who are worried about a doctor, dentist, veterinarian or student.

We offer a 24/7 doctor-to-doctor phoneline, education and peer-connection programs to support the wellbeing, safety and professional sustainability of health professionals.

 

Who can contact Doctors’ Health NSW?

Our service is available to all doctors, dentists and vets and students of these professions

Including:

  • Medical students
  • Dental students
  • Veterinary students
  • Interns and junior doctors
  • Registrars
  • VMOs
  • Staff specialists
  • General practitioners and other private specialists
  • Dentists
  • Veterinarians

In addition, family members, colleagues and friends who are concerned about the well-being of a doctor, dentist, veterinarian or student are welcome to contact us for advice and guidance.

 

What should I do in an emergency?

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call:

000 (Australia’s emergency number)

Doctors’ Health NSW is a support service.
We are not an emergency service and cannot respond to urgent, life-threatening situations.

If you are outside Australia, contact your local emergency number.

 

Is Doctors’ Health NSW confidential?

Yes.

All calls and contacts with Doctors’ Health NSW are confidential.

We are independent of:

  • Employers
  • Regulators
  • Government
  • Colleges
  • Insurers

We do not report to Ahpra, employers, training bodies or professional colleges.

Our role is to provide a safe space where doctors, dentists, veterinarians, students — and those worried about them — can speak openly without fear of career consequences.

 

Will my employer or Ahpra be told if I call?

No.

Doctors’ Health NSW does not notify employers, Ahpra, training providers or colleges about callers.

We do not share identifiable information without your consent, except in very rare circumstances involving immediate risk to a caller's safety in which case we may need to arrange urgent help.

 

Is the service free?

Yes.

All our core services, including the 24/7 phoneline, are provided free of charge to:

  • Doctors
  • Dentists
  • Veterinarians
  • Medical, dental and veterinary students

Advice and guidance for family members, colleagues and friends is also provided free of charge.

 

Can I remain anonymous?

Yes.

You can contact Doctors’ Health NSW anonymously.

  • You do not need to give your name
  • You do not need to give your workplace
  • You do not need to give identifying professional details

However, because our service operates by calling you back, we will need a phone number so that we can return your call.

This phone number:

  • Is used only to return your call
  • Is not shared with employers, Ahpra, colleges, insurers or any other body
  • Is kept confidential in line with our privacy and confidentiality policies

You are free to share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Many doctors, dentists, veterinarians and students choose to remain anonymous, particularly when they first make contact.

 

What happens when I call?

When you contact Doctors’ Health NSW, you will be asked to leave a phone number so we can return your call.

An experienced doctor will call you back, usually within a very short period of time, and we aim to ensure that all calls are returned within 4 hours.

The call is:

  • Confidential
  • Doctor to doctor
  • Focused on non-judgmental listening, support and helping you think through next steps

 

Who answers the phoneline?

Calls are answered by experienced clinicians who understand the realities of clinical work.

This is a doctor-to-doctor service.

You will speak to someone who understands:

  • Clinical practice
  • Training pressures
  • Professional risk
  • Medical, dental and veterinary culture

 

How quickly will someone call me back?

We aim to return calls as quickly as possible.

In most cases, calls are returned within a very short period of time, and we aim to ensure that all calls are returned within 4 hours.

 

What can I talk about?

Anything which is on your mind… 

Many health professionals contact us about:

  • Burnout and exhaustion
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Professional crises
  • Complaints or notifications
  • Training and career stress
  • Workplace conflict
  • Ethical and clinical dilemmas

Family members, colleagues and friends contact us when they are:

  • Worried about someone’s safety
  • Unsure how to help
  • Concerned about changes in behaviour
  • Seeking advice on how to support a doctor or student

You do not need to be in crisis to call.

 

Do I have to be in crisis to contact you?

No.

You do not need to be in crisis or unwell to contact Doctors’ Health NSW.

Many doctors, dentists, veterinarians and students call us when they are:

  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Struggling with stress or burnout
  • Unsure how to manage a situation
  • Wanting to talk things through early

Early conversations often prevent problems becoming more serious.

 

Can I call more than once?

Yes.

You are welcome to contact Doctors’ Health NSW more than once.

Many people:

  • Call at different points in their training or career
  • Call again if circumstances change
  • Call the service during difficult periods of their life or career.

 

Is Doctors’ Health NSW a counselling service?

Doctors’ Health NSW is a peer support and early-intervention service.

We provide:

  • Support
  • Reflection
  • Guidance
  • Suggestions about ongoing care when needed

We are here as supportive peers and do not replace your GP, psychologist or psychiatrist, but we often help clinicians — and those close to them — take the first step to getting care.

 

What should I do if I am worried about a colleague?

You are welcome to contact us.

Family members, colleagues and friends often call when they are:

  • Worried about someone’s safety
  • Unsure how to start a conversation
  • Concerned about changes in behaviour
  • Seeking advice on how to help and what other support services are available

We can provide guidance on how to support someone and what options may be available.

 

Is this service independent?

Yes.

Doctors’ Health NSW is:

  • Independent of employers
  • Independent of regulators
  • Independent of government
  • Independent of colleges
  • Independent of insurers

This independence ensures doctors, dentists, veterinarians, students — and those worried about them — can seek help without fear of professional consequences.

 

Are you connected to Ahpra or the Medical Board?

No.

Doctors’ Health NSW is not connected to Ahpra, the Medical Board or any regulatory body.

We have:

  • No regulatory role
  • No reporting role
  • No involvement in notifications or investigations

Our role is solely to provide confidential support.

 

Do you keep records or notes about calls?

We keep only minimal, non-identifying records required for service quality and safety.

We do not keep a clinical file like a hospital or medical practice.

We do not share records with:

  • Employers
  • Ahpra
  • Colleges
  • Training providers
  • Insurers

Your information is protected in line with privacy and confidentiality requirements.

 

When might confidentiality be broken?

Confidentiality is a core principle of Doctors’ Health NSW.

In very rare circumstances, confidentiality may be limited if there is:

  • An immediate and serious risk to life, or
  • A legal requirement to act

Where possible, this would be discussed with you.

Outside these rare situations, your information is not shared without your consent.

 

How do I contact Doctors’ Health NSW?

You can contact us by:

  • Phone: 02 9437 6552
  • Email: admin@dhas.org.au

Our phoneline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.