About Doctors’ Health SA

Doctors’ Health SA (DHSA) is a fully independent and profession-controlled organisation, created through the combined efforts of many doctors and health leaders in South Australia. Our mission is to improve the health of the medical profession for the good of the community.

Background

At the outset, DHSA identified 2500 doctors without their own doctor in SA (45% of the profession). There was a pressing need for a doctors’ health program offering check-ups, web-based health information, access to after-hours services and a larger network of ‘doctor-friendly’ clinics for on-going GP care of doctors and students.

What we do
Clinical services started on 1 May, 2012, offering comprehensive after-hours check-ups in our new city clinic and easier access to the state-wide network of GPs and health professionals associated with the program.

Continuing professional development is a priority and the DHSA training seminar series is designed to enhance skills for those GPs who are assessing and managing the health of doctors. DHSA premises are located at 327 South Terrace and are a new focal point for doctors’ health in SA, helping the profession to find a doctor-of-choice. We continue to seek broad input from the profession to improve our program as it evolves.

Timeline
The SA Doctors’ Health Working group was formed in 2006 and a state-wide doctors’ health survey conducted in 2007. In 2008 the model was formulated and profession-wide consultation undertaken at the 2009 National Doctors’ Health Conference in Adelaide.

By 2010, Medical Board assets were available, and a Company Limited by guarantee was formed, with AMA and RDWA as inaugural members. A board of directors of Doctors’ Health SA was appointed with a company Secretary. Our Medical Director was appointed in 2011 and our new clinic premises were officially opened by the SA Minister for Health, John Hill in October 2011.