Professional Conduct & Ethics

Section 7(2)(i) of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 states that a function of the Medical Council to give guidance on all matters related to professional conduct and ethics for registered medical practitioners.

The patient-doctor relationship is a privileged one that depends on the patient's trust in the doctor's professionalism. The role of the Medical Council is to safeguard the public by ensuring that the quality of the doctor's competence, behaviours and relationships that underlie this professionalism is maintained in the patient-doctor relationship.

In the 'Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners', previously referred to as 'the Ethical Guide', the Medical Council has sought to clarify a number of specific areas, including consent, confidentiality, end of life care, provision of information to the public, prescribing practices and referral of patients. Increased emphasis in recent years on patient safety has also influenced the expansion of guidance on adverse events and open communication with patients. The Guide has been updated by each of the Councils elected since 1979.

Please click on the link below to download the latest edition of the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners
Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners.pdf