It has been a busy few months at AMA (NSW). Here’s a recap of some of the information we’ve conveyed via email & press release.
Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare (SCOI)
In November we provided members with an update on the SCOI including a link to the terms of reference and AMA (NSW)’s initial submission. AMA (NSW) President Dr Michael Bonning thanked the nearly 1000 doctors who responded to our workforce survey which informed our initial submission and will help inform future submissions. He also informed members that AMA (NSW) Director of Workplace Relations Dominique Egan, was working with HWL Ebsworth lawyers in coordinating our response.
In December, the President updated members on the new SIRA guidelines which give SIRA broad powers to regulate doctors and other health providers. AMA (NSW) has concerns about these guidelines and communicated this to members, providing access to the submissions on the matter. All members were invited to the SIRA Regulatory Framework Briefing on 14 March 2023.
AMA (NSW)’s Workplace Relations team continued to brief specific members such as VMOs, Staff Specialists, Doctors-in-Training and Practice Managers. In December we notified VMOs of the upcoming Re-appointments, provided further information on VMO Determinations as well as an update on the SCOI.
A subsequent update on the topic was emailed early this year.
The Practice Managers Newsletter in December recapped a busy year in the industrial relations space, including updates to the new workplace sexual harassment positive duty laws and fixed term contract changes. In February 2024 updated information on the ‘Changing Loopholes’ No. 2 Bill was provided. These resources are available in the AMA (NSW) members portal. If you are a Practice Manager and not receiving these updates, please email us at magazine@amansw.com.au.
Our Doctors-in-Training (DITs) Committee Co-Chairs Dr Sanjay Hettige and Dr Jacqueline Ho have kept up regular content via email and social media on issues that directly impact DITs.
AMA (NSW)’s loyal media connections are engaged through regular media releases. In March AMA (NSW) demanded an urgent injection of funds in the upcoming state budget after BHI figures indicated record demand on the NSW health system. In February, we reiterated concerns about the impact of cuts on palliative care services, calling for funds to be restored in the budget. AMA (NSW) also congratulated Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long
and Professor Richard Scolyer.
In December AMA (NSW) renewed calls for the Commonwealth Government to remove the exclusion of telemedicine, emails and phone calls from laws relating to Voluntary Assisted Dying, and launched the Road Safety campaign titled ‘Speak Up and Step in to Save Lives’, in partnership with Road Trauma Support Group NSW.
One of our most successful forms of communication is our fortnightly ‘Feel Good Friday’ newsletter that not only showcases the fantastic commercial partnerships that benefit AMA (NSW) members it also includes important AMA news and events, a noticeboard, a fortnightly Health Hack as well as the most laughable social media medical misinformation. dr.
We want to make sure our valued members are receiving all the information they need, so send us an email at: magazine@ amansw.com.au to let us know what you want to hear more about.