The Medical Council wants the power to immediately suspend a doctor in extreme circumstances.
At present, the registration body cannot instantly suspend a doctor for what it calls egregious behaviour, though it has longer term options, including conducting performance assessments and inquiries.
The only thing the council can do immediately in this situation is to seek a voluntary undertaking placing restrictions on the doctor with their agreement.
It says it will renew a request for an amendment to the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.
To boost openness about its processes, the council has also begun publishing names and details of doctors who've been removed or suspended from the register.
