Dr William Coote has been appointed permanent Director of the Professional Services Review (PSR), Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon announced.

Dr Coote, who has been the acting Director of PSR since 14 August 2011, will begin his three-year appointment on 14 November 2011.

The PSR is an independent statutory authority that investigates whether health practitioners have inappropriately provided services that attract benefits under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS), or have inappropriately prescribed medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

“The PSR plays an important role in protecting the integrity of the MBS and PBS,” Ms Roxon said.

“As the Director of PSR, Dr Coote will help to ensure that taxpayers do not bear the cost of medical services that fail to meet the expectations of the medical profession.”

Dr Coote is an experienced general practitioner with considerable expertise in health policy, training and practice. Previously, Dr Coote was the Secretary General of the Australian Medical Association and the inaugural CEO of General Practice Education and Training Ltd, and has operated a general practice in South Brisbane.

Ms Roxon said she was pleased Dr Coote had accepted the appointment and looked forward to working with him.