Success of State and Territory AMAs recognised

AMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2013 (Twitter: #amanatcon)

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, tonight presented the Presidents
and CEOs of the State and Territory AMA organisations with awards for
their exceptional work in advocacy and communications.

The categories for the awards were Best Lobby Campaign, Best Public
Health Campaign, Best State Publication, and Most Innovative Use of
Website or New Media. This year’s highly deserving winners include:

Best Lobby Campaign: AMA Victoria - Violence and Security in Hospitals

The winner of the Best Lobby Campaign was AMA Victoria for its work on
violence and security in hospitals.

The judges said the benefits of this campaign flow to AMA members, all
doctors, other health workers, especially in emergency departments,
the hospitals, and the general public.

They said the AMA Victoria campaign “involved overturning pre-election
policy, which has a tabloid appeal for a superior policy outcome, and
it was not achieved on the eve of an election”.

Best Public Health Campaign: AMA NSW – “Kids Don’t Fly”

The “Kids Don’t Fly” campaign raised awareness of the risks for
children playing on high-rise balconies.

AMA NSW recognised an important public health issue and took a
multi-pronged approach to tackle the matter.

The judges were delighted to see a campaign that encompassed the
social determinants aspect of poorer families living in tall suburban
buildings and the high risk of falls.

This media campaign worked hand in glove as part of advocacy efforts
to persuade Government to make changes to legislation to ensure
improved building safety.

Best State Publication: AMA South Australia – MedicSA

AMA South Australia and MedicSA won for the second year running.

The judges said this is a publication with “read me” pulling power and
that, more often than its bigger, more lavish rivals, it draws in the
reader through imaginative content, headlines with zip, and inviting
layout.

MedicSA was also recognised for taking risks and presenting its
readers with “challenging” content.

Most Innovative Use of Website or New Media: AMA Victoria – Creative
use of Twitter

The judges said that AMA Victoria has creatively engaged with members,
media and the general public and kept them informed of breaking news,
membership updates and general information through its creative and
imaginative use of Twitter.

AMA Victoria has successfully utilised Twitter as a powerful tool in
real-time communication.

They use URL addresses in their Twitter feeds to draw users to their
website and more information.

Dr Hambleton praised all the State and Territory AMA organisations for
the high quality of their work, and their efforts to advance the
interests of their members.