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Have Your Say on the Need for Height Adjustable Examination Tables in GP Surgeries

Background:

At PDCN we have been working to make sure all GP’s have height adjustable examination tables in their surgeries.  Having a height adjustable examination table means that it is far easier and safer for Doctors and other medical staff to do examinations and screen for possible illness.

Many of our members have said they cannot use fixed height examination tables and are concerned they are not getting the level of health care other patients get. Some have told us of painful and undignified experiences they have had, and others have told us that they have not had a thorough examination for years.

Current situation:

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is an organisation that supports GP’s and one of its responsibilities is to develop GP Standards which try to ensure health care services are of the best quality for all patients. The GP Standards recommend that GP’s have height adjustable examination tables but do not at the moment make them mandatory.

The RACGP is reviewing its GP Standards now so we have an opportunity to convince them they should make height adjustable examination tables mandatory.  We will be making a submission to RACGP, but they also need to hear personal stories from people who have experienced difficulty or problems when visiting their Doctor because there is no height adjustable examination table.

What can you do to assist?

You could write to the RACGP.  We are not asking you to name your Doctor, but simply to tell your story so that the RACGP can better understand why it is important all GP’s have adjustable height examination tables..

If you are able to send the RACGP your story you may find the following information helpful:

• State that your letter is a submission requesting that adjustable eight examination tables are made mandatory for GP surgeries

• Post to:

Standards Review Process
The Royal Australian College of  General Practitioners
College House
1 Palmerston Crescent
South Melbourne VIC 3205

Or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Submissions close on the 30 November 2009

Contact us if you require additional information. And if possible send us a copy of your letter.  Thank you for your assistance.