Example one
Diagnosed Parkinson's disease
Member: Peter, GP with 20 years of practice
While Peter has been aware of his condition for some time, he has recently worsened. AHPRA notify him that he should cease work as a health practitioner due to the impairment that the Parkinson’s disease has caused. Peter disagrees and thinks he is still capable of practising safely despite suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He decides to challenge this decision and approaches MIPS to assist him with the costs of legal expenses associated with defending his ability to continue as a registered health practitioner.
The Board of MIPS exercises its discretion to cover Peter for the cost of the legal proceedings (to a maximum amount of $10,000) to defend his registration. A MIPS panel lawyer is appointed by MIPS to represent Peter.
The legal costs for the proceeding are $12,500. As Peter only has cover for up to $10,000, he pays the additional $2,500. He decides to approach MIPS again to see if the Board may exercise further discretion to cover the extra $2,500. The Board would give sympathetic consideration to Peter’s situation.