DOCTORS’ groups have called for the Medical Board of Australia to remain at arm’s length from doctors’ health services even if a proposal to fund those services, through a $25 hike in registration fees, goes ahead.

The fee rise would take the annual registration fee to $695 and was suggested in a consultation paper on the subject, released by the medical board in February.

The consultation paper proposed expanding the existing Victorian Doctors Health Service nationwide.

But an AMA submission issued last week in response has recommended the board focus on supporting the existing services in each state “which have established networks and strong local knowledge”.

Association president Dr Steve Hambleton (pictured) said that funding could come “from the existing pool of doctor registration fees” and should be structured to “guarantee independence from the MBA and AHPRA”.

“This is essential if doctors are to trust these services and utilise them,” he said.

Australian Doctors’ Fund spokesperson Dr Richard Prytula urged the profession to find another way to support the services and said accepting funding from the board would “effectively… mean that AHPRA has financial control over the doctors’ health service”.

“This may compromise the value of the service by deterring voluntary referrals,” he said.