Protect “Good Medical Practice” in Australia: safeguard the Medical Board Code of Conduct.

Please allow doctors to retain their freedom and so be guided by their consciences and good medical practice to ensure that all patients are benefited .

Do not redefine the role of a doctor.

doctors should not be controlled by thought police.

I oppose the proposed changes

Doctors should not be directed to provide treatment on the basis of what patients demand, but be free to offer what is the best medical practice.

There are dangers in this proposal, because of the way terms such as "culturally safe" may be interpreted. Doctors must not be silenced from giving the full range of advice which is in the interests of their patients.

Dear Medical Board of Australia, Thank you for public consultation on proposed changes to the Code of Conduct. The proposed changes are worrying. A vital standard for medical practice would be removed if patients or families stopped doctors from discussing what is medically relevant to their care, based on not considering such medical discussion “culturally safe”. They also would endanger patients when they are too ill to make their own decisions, by setting up families to determine what is appropriate “culturally” whilst dismissing any requirement for informed discussion about medical risks. By dictating to doctors what is considered "medically irrelevant" in consultations, the proposed changes threaten doctors’ ability to exercise independent clinical judgment and freedom of conscience. The proposed changes would be dangerous to good medical practice. A patient or a patient's family could then demand surgical operations and other medical treatments, regardless of medical risk, on the basis of cultural wishes. Based on these significant proposed changes, doctors could be accused of not following the Code of Conduct and lose their registration if they did not go along with such demands. To exclude what doctors consider medically relevant from discussions with patients and families would clearly threaten well-established ethical principles of informed consent. This would not be "good medical practice", and would obstruct the medical professional's freedom to exercise sound clinical judgment. The proposed changes should not be accepted as they are inconsistent with good medical practice.

It's a shame in this day and age that we including Doctors don't have the freedom to follow our consciences. It's terrible that the minority always seem to "win". Let's stop this insanity and stop the Medical board/Government damaging peoples health/lives with these changes to the code of Conduct.

I strongly oppose changes to the Code of Conduct. Doctors should not be made to carry out practises that go against their conscience or that endangers others

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Doctors are required to advise and guide when consulted. To censor these critical and fundamental functions for subjective cultural reasons removes the whole concept of scientific method from the practice of medicine. It is tantamount to malpractice because it does not provide the patient with the valid information asociated with their medical issue. The person is not obliged to accept or act on the doctor's advice and can readily "shop around" in an attempt to find a "compliant doctor".

My husband and I agree with this petition.

It becomes a darker world when people are forbidden to act according to conscience.

Strongly oppose the purposed changes. Doctors should base their decisions on best medical practice. I can think of a few cultural practices which are not in the patient,s best interest.

Seeing you, the government, are employed by commonsrnse Aussies, please speak for the sensible majority and not the screeching teeny weeny minority. STOP THIS CRAP.

I strongly oppose these changes. Some cultural practices are very barbaric & should not be forced on family members.

Do not change the Medical Board Code of Conduct.

Why burden doctors with unrealistic expectations that they will have sufficient cultural &/or religious knowledgeof each individual situation - a crazy idea! Why change what works well?

Doctors should not be forced to ignore their conscience, medical training and clinical expertise.

This cannot be passed, for the safety of all those utilising healthcare services and the professional integrity of medical staff. Too much is at stake.