The public is being urged to complain about dodgy dealings in the medical profession, with claims we’re being ripped off by dishonest doctors.

Some doctors and surgeons are taking advantage of their patients; inflating patient fees, splitting bills with other doctors and implementing illegal booking charges.

The topic was discussed at length at the Australian Medical Association conference over the weekend where there was a consensus that these practices need to be stamped out.

President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) John Batten tells 4BC’s Chris Smith the public should shop around and complain if they think a cost is unfair.

“The patient needs to understand they have every right to question the fees and to ask the doctor as to why the fee is as it is.”

The RACS knows malpractice is rife but Dr Batten says they’ve had, “remarkably few complaints about this, maybe because the public feels it is due to private health insurance.”

The most commonly complained about fields are plastic, orthopedic and neurosurgery.

Doctors in New South Wales have the worst record of overcharging, with one patient charged a gap of $27,000.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview with Dr John Batten