Australian Medical Association

Dr Hambleton discusses a new report warning more people are putting off visits to the doctor due to the cost of consultation He says when Medicare was set up it was supposed to provide equity of access for people, but Medicare rebates aren't keeping pace with the cost of providing a quality service.

The AMA submission to government on Regionally Tailored Primary Health Care Initiatives through Medicare Locals Fund comments on the role of Medicare Locals, the creation of the Medicare Locals National Body and the utilisation of funds set aside for Medicare Locals.  The AMA highlights the need for Medicare Locals to support GPs in caring for patients, for clarity and transparency in how funds are allocated, and stresses that any savings from the consolidation of funding arrangements must be directed towards supporting services for patients. 

The AMA welcomes the Government’s acknowledgement that May Budget cuts to mental health services are hurting patients but its decision not to reverse cuts to Medicare funding for GP mental health services is disappointing.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Government has failed to address the fact that the Budget cuts to Medicare rebates for general practice mental health services are having a detrimental impact on patients.

Government’s partial restore of mental health services disappointing; Non VR GPs; AMA congratulates doctors on Australia Day 2012 Honours List; Submission - Regionally Tailored PHC Initiatives through Medicare Locals Fund; Pick up a free day on Hertz*; Email the AMA; Post new comment to the website

TGA is seeking expressions of interest from experts for various positions on five statutory advisory committees by Wednesday 29 February 2012.

These committees provide advice and make recommendations to the Minister for Health and Ageing and to the TGA regarding complementary medicines, prescription medicines, medical devices and the safety of medicines.

Terms of appointment are for a period of up to three years, commencing in 2012 and 2013. Applications to the TGA must be received by close of business Wednesday 29 February 2012.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today paid tribute to the many doctors and other health professionals who were honoured on Australia Day for their passion for their profession and their dedication to their patients and their communities.

Dr Hambleton said that the wonderful thing about the Honours is that they acknowledge achievement at the international, national and local level and they recognise excellence across all avenues of human endeavour.

25-27 May 2012, Grand Hyatt, Melbourne

The AMA National Conference is the premier event of the year and 2012 promises to be the best yet, in celebration of 50 years.

For the first time the National Conference is open to all doctors, not just AMA members or invited delegates.

The two and a half day program features keynote addresses from leaders in medical care; workshops on topical issues affecting medical practice, and policy sessions on contemporary issues affecting the Australian health system.

Misguided attack on doctors; AMA Practice nurse survey; Reducing Red Tape; Medical Board of Australia (MBA) Guidelines on Technology-based Consultations; Powerbuy: Great Savings on Popular I.T. Brands!; Email the AMA; Post new comment to the website

Misguided attack on doctors; AMA Practice nurse survey; Reducing Red Tape; Medical Board of Australia (MBA) Guidelines on Technology-based Consultations; Powerbuy: Great Savings on Popular I.T. Brands!; Email the AMA; Post new comment to the website

Dr Hambleton speaks to ABC News Radio about comments made by the former director of the Professional Services Review Panel Dr Tony Webber saying Medicare costs $3 billion a year and is open to rorts by unethical doctors. In addition Dr Hambleton discusses energy drinks and prescription drugs.

Dr Hambleton talks about comments made by the former director of the Professional Services Review Panel Dr Tony Webber saying Medicare costs $3 billion a year and is open to rorts by unethical doctors. He says a lot of doctors are looking after their patients and they care for them.

Dr Hambleton talks about the AMA's submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas. Dr Hambleton says the submission considers a range of factors needs to be considered in order to encourage doctors to remain in rural areas

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most exciting destinations. A large modern city with a rich heritage, it bustles and pumps with a unique fusion of culture, cuisine and beauty. It’s also Australia’s sporting capital and the heartland of the nation’s fashion industry. 

AMA Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas

The AMA has made an extensive submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas, setting out viable strategies to improve access to health care for people living in rural and remote Australia.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that a broad practical plan that incorporates clever thinking and local solutions is needed to attract doctors to rural practice and keep them in local communities for the long term.

Dr Hambleton talks about research that has found taking an aspirin everyday can lead to an increase in non-trivial bleeding. He says that those who have had a heart attack or stroke can benefit from an aspirin, but recommends people talk with their doctors if they are taking aspirin daily to discuss the risks.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today encouraged Indigenous medical students to apply for the 2012 AMA Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship.

Dr Hambleton said that an important part of closing the Indigenous health and life expectancy gap is to build an adequate workforce that includes Indigenous doctors and health professionals.

The AMA welcomes the decision by the Privacy Commissioner to issue a fresh public interest determination covering the collection of family and social medical histories by medical practitioners and other health service providers.

This determination ensures that doctors can continue to collect third party health information that is relevant to a patient's family or social history without the family member having to give their consent.

The National Conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, 123 Collins Street, Melbourne.  The AMA have negociated rates for conference delegates at $280 per night.

There are a number of social events on the AMA National Conference calendar, the highlight being the National Conference Gala Dinner, on Saturday 26 May at the National Gallery of Victoria.  Are you a Doctor-in-Training, or interested in leadership?  If so the Leadership Development Dinner will be held on Friday 25 May at the Chapter House.  We will also be holding the President's Cocktail Party on Friday 25 May following a day of conference sessions.

The AMA wrote to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia on 15 November 2011 opposing the continued dispensing proposal under the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement. Continued dispensing will represent a significant change in the professional role of pharmacists and their role within the health care team. The draft guidelines circulated by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia heighten the AMA's concerns that continued dispensing will undermine the collaboration between pharmacists and medical practitioners.

Privacy decision on health family history; Submission: Inquiry on Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas; Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record Survey; AMA Position Statement on Funding of Residential Aged Care; New online version of Forum—register now!; Powerbuy: Great Savings on Popular I.T. Brands!; Email the AMA; Post new comment to the website

The AMA has identified the medical workforce shortage as a major health issue with the overall distribution of doctors being skewed heavily towards major cities such that regional, rural and remote areas shoulder a disproportionate workforce shortage burden. There is a strong preference amongst much of the current medical workforce to live and work in major cities. So much so that attracting young professionals to rural locations is extremely difficult. The AMA believes the factors affecting the supply of medical workforce in rural areas should be viewed in the context of generalism; remuneration and incentives; hospital infrastructure; compensation and family support; costs of establishing a practice and access to community; high on-call demands and the need for rosters and locum services;and recruitment of international medical graduates (IMG) doctors.The submission makes a series of recommendations addressing these issues as well as the effect of the introduction of Medicare Locals, anomalies with the ASGC scheme and the need to extend MBS telehealth items.

Dr Hambleton says that most people know what the costs of their medical needs will be and talks about the need to have transparent insurance policies for everyone. Dr Hambleton says that health insurance companies cover so many products it can be very confusing.

The National Conference Program will be available shortly.   For further information please contact Theresa Schultz on 02 6270 5474 or at natcon@ama.com.au

Registrations for the National Conference will open in February.  If you are interested in attending the Conference and would like to find out more information please contact Theresa Schultz on 02 6270 5474 or at natcon@ama.com.au

Dr Hambleton says women in Australia who have had silicone breast implants shouldn't panic but it's advisable they contact their surgeon. He says that Australian and British authorities are working together to put together advice but French authorities are already advising that they should be removed.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today called on the Government and health groups to place a renewed focus on child and youth health issues in 2012.

Children and young people confront a range of health issues including poor diet and obesity, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and bullying.  The degree to which these conditions have an impact can be influenced by socio-economic factors.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA is urging governments to impose tougher restrictions on alcohol marketing to young people.

Dr Hambleton said the warmer weather and high profile sporting and music events make summer the ideal time for alcohol companies to exploit current loopholes in advertising regulations and launch mass advertising and marketing campaigns that encourage teenagers and young people to drink, often recklessly.

Dr Hambleton says that there is an increased demand on mental health services every Christmas. Dr Hambleton lists ways to approach people with depression and explains signs to look out for.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today urged all Australians to keep an eye out for neighbours and relatives for signs of stress, distress, depression or loneliness over the Christmas period.

Dr Hambleton said that the Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration and family for most people but it can also be a time of sadness and isolation for others.