Avant Insurance

It is an increasingly challenging environment more members are calling on Avant than ever 1 I 'm pleased to bring you the seventh edition of Connect. As a practising GP for over 30 years, the topics in this issue are ones I can strongly relate to. This issue examines the evolving regulatory environment within which we operate, changing relationships between doctors and patients in society and how these changes are impacting upon expectations, complaints and claims. In this issue you will read about the many and varied way doctors might find themselves defending a complaint; including some poignant reminders that you don't have to be a bad doctor to require the services of Avant. As doctors, we know the practice of medicine has inherent risks which can come from a variety of circumstances, not all of which are in our complete control but can often be managed. Our experts share their perspectives on the evolving roles of doctors and the expectations that different cultures have of the medical profession. They examine the most-common types of professional conduct complaints and good practices you can employ to reduce your risk. With an increasing number of complaints being managed by regulators, we're pleased that Dr Joanna Flynn AM and Mr Martin Fletcher have, in response to our last issue, provided their perspective on how they are looking to improve the process for doctors. There is acknowledgement that complaints can be confronting for doctors and even minor matters can have both a professional and personal impact. Understandably, doctors don't always know what they need to do when they are asked to respond to a complaint or regulatory matter. But when you need legal assistance you want to have confidence in the expert by your side. This is why Avant has sought to assemble the largest range of medico-legal experts so we are best placed to advise you when you need us. Today our defence team consists of more than 130 staff situated across Australia. In Avant Law we have a fully independent law firm dedicated to Avant members. We did this to attract and retain the very best medico-legal solicitors in the country to exclusively defend our members. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Pamela Michael, National Legal Director of Avant Law, on recently being named Best Medical Indemnity Insurance Specialist at the 2016 Women in Wealth Awards and Best Doctor Defence Lawyer 2016 and for receiving an Award for Excellence in Medical Indemnity Insurance at the Businesswoman Awards 2016. Do not hesitate to contact our Medico-legal Advisory Service if you need more information or assistance with any of the issues raised here. I hope you find reading this issue as interesting and informative as I have. Professor Simon Willcock Professor Simon Willcock Avant Mutual Group Chairman Connect | Issue 07 | avant.org.au/publications

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