Plans to establish doctors’ rights group

A leading Durban psychiatrist and former University of KwaZulu Natal academic, Prof Margaret Nair, and her Psychiatric Management Group, has set the ball rolling in the call for the implementation of a Bill of Rights for doctors.

Speaking at a meeting of KZN doctors in late May, Nair said the fact that doctors have no recourse in the event of having false, malicious, frivolous or vexatious claims made against them necessitates the establishment of a Doctors Action Group.

Referring specifically to that “well-known ‘Unprofessional Conduct’ letter” received by many unsuspecting practitioners, Nair said it was unfortunate that patients can make any accusation without having to provide adequate evidence.

Net result was that frivolous complaints dominate with only 10% of all complaints reaching the hearing stage and only 2% resulting in the doctor being found guilty.

While doctors have to respect the rights of patients, Nair concluded, patients must respect of the care of doctors who have to take care of others.