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Updates and publications
Updates on recent activities and publications
2025 Australasian Doctors’ Health Conference:
Promoting Great Medical Culture – People, Peers & Places
27- 29 November 2025 | Melbourne, Australia
The Australasian Doctors’ Health Conference 2025 will bring together over 250 doctors, medical leaders, and researchers who are working to improve the health and wellbeing of the medical profession - for the benefit of the whole community.
Hosted at 1 Hotel Melbourne, a new sustainable venue in the heart of the city, this year’s event will be interactive, optimistic, and solution-focused.
What to expect:
A welcoming space to connect, learn, and collaborate
Pre-conference workshops
1.5 days of engaging presentations, panels, and discussion
Opportunities to network and build partnerships
A strong focus on co-designing practical solutions for healthier medical culture.
Whether you're a clinician, educator, researcher or advocate, we invite you to be part of this important conversation. Find out more and register at adhc.org.au
When a doctor dies: Responding after an Unexpected Death or Suicide
Funded by the Ministry of Health and researched and produced by Doctors’ Health NSW, this guide provides a framework for hospital leaders to respond effectively and compassionately to the sudden death of a doctor, including by suicide.
The guide is informed by research carried out by Doctors’ Health NSW in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, NSW and aims to support those affected, reduce distress, and prevent further mental health issues within the medical community.
To download the guide and for more resources, go to:
Receiving a complaint as a medical practitioner might not be unusual but can be an awful experience. Last year more than 3000 complaints were referred to the Medical Council of NSW (according to their annual report) and even though over 80 percent of these resulted in no further action, the uncertainty and stress can have a lasting impact.
Surviving the Complaints Process is the latest webinar in a series designed by the Black Dog Institute for GPs and other health professionals. Dr Kathryn Hutt shares her experience, insights and strategies for surviving the complaints process, gained from her many years working as a medical advisor for the Medical Council and in her current role as Medical Director of Doctors' Health NSW, talking to the doctors who call the Doctors’ Health phoneline for support.
Whether you are dealing with a complaint or just want to talk to a non-judgemental peer, you can contact Doctors' Health NSW for independent and confidential support. Our experienced doctors are here 24/7: Call 02 9437 6552.
Should mandatory health checks for doctors be based solely on reaching their 70th birthday?
The Australian Medical Board has proposed that regular health checks for doctors over 70 should be introduced to ensure patient safety. The Board states that their data indicates complaints against doctors in this age group have significantly increased, prompting the need for these checks. Others in the profession argue that age-based health checks could lead to discrimination and that a focus on actual competency is fairer. The Australian Medical Association echoes this concern, advocating for evidence-based, non-discriminatory assessments that support doctors rather than potentially forcing early retirement.
In consultation with doctors and GPs with expertise in the doctors' health field, Doctors' Health NSW has submitted a response to the public consultation:
Commenting on the Doctors' Health NSW submission, a recently retired GP said:
"I think these measured responses are excellent, putting emphasis on encouraging every doctor to have established relationships with a GP who supports them with their health care decisions. Longitudinal clinical relationships both establish trust and detect any changes early. Much better a doctor has the opportunity to plan for possible retirement earlier in an illness, particularly dementia, feeling they retain some autonomy rather than feeling they are being disempowered, or worse punished, for aging. Thank you to everyone involved."
Doctors' Health NSW Impact Report 2023
We are pleased to present our 2023 Impact Report which highlights our recent achievements and details some of our ongoing initiatives.
Doctors' Health NSW Medical Director, Dr Kathryn Hutt said: "It is a privilege to continue to support our medical colleagues, dentists and veterinarians, and the students of these professions. The health of our clinicians is a vital ingredient in quality patient care, enables effective teamwork in the workplace, and is essential for the overall health of our communities."
Doctors’ Health NSW is proud to be an ACNC registered charity, and we are committed to ensuring that trusted, confidential doctor to doctor support is available to all, whenever it is needed.
