Kimberley health practitioners first to use controversial law to refer patients to Banned Drinkers Register

Kimberley health practitioners have become the first to use a controversial new law which allows them to refer patients for a ban on buying takeaway alcohol. When the revamped Banned Drinkers Register was introduced in December to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence across regional WA, doctors widely criticised a provision which allowed them to refer patients for a ban, potentially without their consent, saying it would breach clients’ trust. However, as of this month there have been 12 medical referrals in the Kimberley for Banned Drinkers Orders. A spokesperson for the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries said they could not provide further specific details on the medical referrals in the Kimberley due to patient confidentiality. A WA Country Health spokesperson also would not comment on if they have issued any referrals for privacy reasons. “We take BDO referrals seriously and work with consumers to ensure their health and wellbeing comes first,” a WA Country Health spokesperson said. “Due to patient confidentiality provisions, we are unable to provide specific details of BDO referrals. We have a responsibility to protect the privacy of our patients and consumers who may be easily identifiable because of smaller populations.” Under the new BDR, medical practitioners and social workers have the authority to refer clients to the Director of Liquor Licensing for a BDO. Police can also issue BDOs for people who have committed an alcohol-related offence. BDOs are issued for between three months to a year. Besides the Kimberley the BDR is active in the Pilbara, Goldfields, Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction. Police have been the most active in exercising the new powers to issue BDOs to people who have committed an alcohol-related offence. Latest figures show that 724 of the 1023 Banned Drinkers Orders currently in place were issued by police The Kimberley continues to have the highest number of BDOs issued with 435 in place as of September 13. In February, one of the North West’s biggest primary health care providers, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service said their clinics would not be referring patients to the BDR without their consent because it breached the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. However KAMS said they would help patients that wanted to self-refer. WA’s peak body for doctors, the Australian Medical Association backed KAMS stance with State president Michael Page saying the role of the doctor was, “to provide judgment-free care.” “If patients are not secure in the knowledge that the relationship they have with their doctor is sacrosanct it undermines our practice. I think that would be bad for the health of the community,” he said. Many health providers argue more wrap-around drug and alcohol service should be introduced across the region to support the hundreds of people on the BDR.