Key support services

Contact details

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Support is available when you need it

Avant believes that to maintain their health and wellbeing, doctors need to have access to appropriate support and services. Avant provides resources, support and advice tailored specifically to the needs of Australian doctors - to help you better face the challenges of a career in medicine and provide the highest level of care to your patients. Some of these supports and services are identified below and can be accessed via the details provided.

Expert medico-legal advisers provide medico-legal advice and support to Avant members on a range of issues. Avant’s Medico-legal Advisory Service is staffed by senior solicitors and is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week in emergencies.

Contact: 1800 128 268

Avant's Personal Support Program (PSP) provides a variety of support options to members who may need assistance during challenging times. A central plank is six sessions of confidential, external counselling provided by TELUS Health, a leading global provider of corporate psychology services.

The counselling service offers objective psychological support and the provision of coping skills for a range of work-related issues such as work stress, issues with patients, personal issues relating to anxiety or depression, and legal issues around medico-legal complaints. Options available include face to face counselling, phone support or video counselling.

Contact: 1300 360 364

Doctors' Health Advisory Services provide independent, confidential advice to medical practitioners and students. The services provide colleague to colleague support on an anonymous basis for practitioners who are experiencing difficulties.

ACT

DRS4DRS ACT
Helpline: 1300 374 377
24-hour phone assistance
ama.com.au/act/drs4drsact


NSW

Doctors' Health NSW
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 02 9437 6552
doctorshealth.org.au


Queensland

Doctors' Health in Queensland (DHQ)
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 07 3833 4352
dhq.org.au


South Australia

Doctors' Health SA
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 08 8366 0250
http://doctorshealthsa.com.au/
Find a GP near you who treats medical professionals: doctorshealthsa.com.au/find-a-gp


Tasmania

DRS4DRS Tasmania
Helpline: 1300 374 377
24-hour phone assistance
ama.com.au/tas/drs4drstas


Victoria

Victorian Doctors' Health Program
Helpline: 1300 330 543
vdhp.org.au


Western Australia

Doctors' Health Advisory Service WA
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 08 9321 3098
dhaswa.com.au


Northern Territory

Doctors' Health NT is a program of Doctors' Health SA
24-hour phone assistance
Helpline: 08 8366 0250
doctorshealthnt.com.au


Australasian Doctors' Health Network

adhn.org.au


DRS4DRS

1300 374 377
(1300 DR4DRS)
24-hour phone assistance
drs4drs.com.au

Wellbeing support options for rural doctors

Bush Support Line:

1800 805 391
24 hours per day
crana.org.au


Support for Rural Specialists in Australia:

02 9256 5496
ruralspecialist.org.au


Rural Doctors' Association of Australia

Members can access counselling services 24/7 (EAP program)
02 6239 7730
rdaa.com.au


Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine:

Members can access 24/7 support (EAP program)
1800 818 728
acrrm.org.au


Rural Doctors' Association of Queensland

07 3221 4444
support program for members and some practitioners undertaking rural practice
rdaq.com.au


NSW Rural Doctors' Network:

Support and outreach services for NSW's rural health workforce: ruralhealthtogether.info
02 4924 8000
nswrdn.info
ruralhealthtogether.info


"NSW Rural Health Family Support" by NSW Rural Doctors Network

Support and assistance to rural medical families in NSW, and assistance to medical students interested in experiencing rural general practice.
02 4924 8000


National Rural Health Student Network:

02 8337 8100
nrhsn.org.au

A number of organisations offer confidential peer support for medical practitioners. Many practitioners find it beneficial to discuss their concerns on an anonymous, confidential basis with another medical professional with whom they do not work directly, and yet understands the stressors of the medical profession. A non-exhaustive list of some examples follows:

Many of the medical colleges and societies have support services and resources available to support their members. Contact your college or society for details.

Medical Benevolent Associations provide independent counselling, information, referral, support and some financial assistance to doctors and their families during times of need or adversity. Sessions are free and all information will remain strictly confidential. They are funded by doctors for the benefit of doctors and their families.

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NSW State Office AddressLevel 6, Darling Park 3, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone 02 9260 9000 | Facsimile 02 9261 2921

Mailing addressPO Box 746 Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Avant acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their connections to land, sea and community. As a national organisation, we pay our respects to Elders past and present, of the lands on which we gather and work, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

IMPORTANT: Professional indemnity insurance and the Practice Medical Indemnity Policy available from Avant Mutual Group Limited ABN 58 123 154 898 (Avant Mutual) are issued by Avant Insurance Limited, ABN 82 003 707 471, AFSL 238 765 (Avant). Avant Cyber Insurance cover is available to eligible Avant Practice Medical Indemnity Policy holders up to the cessation of their policy and is provided under a Group Policy between Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ABN 61 086 083 605 (Liberty) and Avant. Private health insurance products are issued by The Doctors’ Health Fund Pty Limited, ABN 68 001 417 527, a member of the Avant Mutual Group. Avant arranges Avant Business Insurance as agent of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850, AFSL 234 708 (Allianz) and may receive a commission on each policy arranged. Avant Travel Cover is available under a Group Policy between QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited, ABN 78 003 191 035, AFSL 239 545 (QBE) and Avant Mutual. Avant Travel Cover is underwritten by QBE and Avant may receive a benefit for arranging cover. Avant Finance is a registered business name of Avant Doctors’ Finance Pty Ltd (ACN 637 769 361) and licensed to Avant Doctors’ Finance Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 75 640 406 784). Avant Doctors’ Finance Brokers Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avant Doctors’ Finance Pty Ltd. Loan products may be provided by Avant Doctors’ Finance Pty Ltd or arranged by Avant Doctors’ Finance Brokers Pty Ltd. Credit services or assistance to which the National Credit Code applies are provided by Avant Doctors’ Finance Brokers Pty Ltd as authorised Credit Representative (Credit Representative Number 523242) for LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd ACN 632 405 504 Australian Credit Licence 517192. Legal services are provided by Avant Law Pty Ltd ABN 63 136 429 153 (Avant Law). Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Legal practitioners employed by Avant Law are members of the scheme.


The information provided on this website is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should consider these, having regard to the appropriateness of the advice before deciding to purchase or continue to hold these products. For full details including the terms, conditions, and exclusions that apply, please read and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording and Target Market Determination (TMD) which are available on this website or by contacting us on 1800 128 268. Information on this site does not constitute legal or professional advice, and is current as at the date of initial publication.