Doctor’s registration with RSHQ suspended for substandard medical examinations

A review of the examinations performed by the doctor as part of RSHQ’s quality control program revealed deficiencies in reporting possible abnormalities. This fell short of the standard required to support the Scheme’s purposes including the early detection of coal mine dust lung disease and ensuring workers with abnormalities are referred for diagnosis.

Following the re-identification of mine dust lung disease in Queensland, doctors performing mandatory examinations of coal mine workers must be first approved by RSHQ. Doctors approved under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 must comply with conditions of approval, including to show due care and skill in performing examinations authorised by the approval.