We must be the patient’s doctor;
not the government’s doctor;
nor the doctor of big business
A Better Future for Patients and Doctors
Why the Australian Doctors’ Federation?
The importance of the doctor-patient relationship is backed by a legal duty of care by doctors to their patients, as well as an ethical and legal responsibility for the doctor to act in accordance with accepted science.
Who is the Australian Doctors’ Federation?
“I argued that we must be the patient’s doctor; not the government’s doctor; nor the doctor of big business.”
– Dr Bruce Shepherd AM, Founder
The ADF believes in a friendly and cooperative working relationship with all organisations who are promoting and supporting the highest standards of medical care for Australian patients. The ADF makes submissions to government on important issues impacting on the doctor-patient relationship. Given that the ADF has ongoing involvement with working doctors across all disciplines, we believe our advice is practical, relevant and real, and hence valuable for determining the likely beneficial effects of government or administrative action on patient outcomes. As such, the ADF has been involved in all major issues impacting on the doctor-patient relationship since its establishment in 1989.
Our Principle Objectives
Ethical Standards
To maintain, improve, advance and promote the ethical standards, integrity and reputation of the medical profession
Choice of Health Care
To maintain, improve, advance and promote health care for all Australians and ensure that there is freedom of choice of health care
Community Awareness
To increase the Medical Profession’s awareness of the community’s continuing and changing health care needs
Latest News
Rural Hospitals: Doctors Must Stand their Ground on Safety
It is time for the health professionals, on behalf of patients, to stand their ground on what it takes to properly assess and safely treat patients in rural hospitals, write Aniello Iannuzzi and Chris Davis
Australia’s biggest private health insurers illegally rejected thousands of claims
Originally published The Guardian by Christopher Knaus Exclusive: Leaked documents show insurers rejected claims involving pre-existing medical conditions without appointing a doctor to review evidence The nation’s biggest health insurers illegally rejected the claims...
Dr Iannuzzi Talks on Rural Healthcare
Country doctor Aniello Iannuzzi — who has worked as a GP in Coonabarabran for more than two decades — said he had watched rural health services be wound back. "You've got this vicious cycle of patients who can't get access, who can't afford access and lack of skilled...