Health Minister commends AMA’s influence at colleges and societies meeting
Health Minister Mark Butler was among the many speakers at the AMA’s meeting of medical colleges and societies, attended by about 100 representatives.
The AMA held a successful meeting of medical colleges, associations and societies on Monday, attended by about 100 representatives.
The meeting was highly interactive with attendees given an opportunity to ask questions of presenters, including Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler and Department of Health Secretary Blair Comley PSM.
Minister Butler opened the meeting and commended the AMA for its involvement in several government policy decisions including more money for general practice and hospitals and funding for wound care. Minister Butler also acknowledged issues facing the system including workforce shortages, with the AMA’s pre-budget submission on workforce released ahead of the meeting.
Professor Mark Cormack, who is leading the independent review into scope of practice, provided an update on the review, noting that the next issues paper would be released soon.
Mr Comley presented on workforce and stressed the need for improved data and evidence to support policy. He also flagged the upcoming release of GP and nursing data reports.
Ahead of the meeting the AMA released several pre-budget submissions, including on public hospitals, private health and general practice.
Prior to the event, AMA President Professor Steve Robson held a press conference with Dr Stephen Gourley (Australasian College of Emergency Medicine); Dr Nicole Higgins (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) and Associate Professor Kerin Fielding (Royal Australasian College of Surgeons).
