Information for Retired Doctors

The Medical Council has agreed that retired medical practitioners will be subject to the same professional competence requirements as all other practising doctors.  This means that any retired doctor wishing to retain registration for the purpose of practising medicine will be obliged to fulfil their statutory duty to maintain professional competence. 

All doctors registered with the Medical Council will be supported in their efforts to maintain their professional competence.  Retired doctors who are unwilling or unable to engage in a professional competence scheme will be advised to voluntarily withdraw from the Register.  In the event of withdrawal from the Register, they will still retain their title of Dr, can still administer emergency aid in the event of an accident.  Doctors should contact their relevant postgraduate training body to discuss relevant collegial activities with which they may be able to engage in as a retired doctor who has voluntarily withdrawn from the register. 

Part 11 of the Medical Practitioners Act places a new statutory duty on all doctors to maintain their professional competence from May 2011.  This policy regarding retired doctors is consistent with medical regulatory practice in other jurisdictions which operate maintenance of professional competence systems and ensures that all doctors practising medicine will be subject to the same requirements.  It is designed to instil public trust in the professional competence schemes as patients will be confident that their doctor’s skills are up-to-date regardless of how frequently they practise.