SUCCESS OF STATE AND TERRITORY AMAs RECOGNISED
SUCCESS OF STATE AND TERRITORY AMAs RECOGNISED
AMA STATE MEDIA AWARDS
AMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017 #amanatcon
State and Territory AMAs have been recognised for their exceptional work in advocacy and communications over the past year.
AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, tonight presented awards acknowledging the outstanding work of State and Territory AMAs in a range of categories including Best Lobby Campaign, Best Public Health Campaign, Best State Publication, National Advocacy and Most Innovative Use of Website or New Media.
This year’s winners are:
Best Lobby Campaign 2017 – AMA Western Australia
‘Three-year Employment Contracts for Interns
The successful introduction of the three-year employment contracts for interns is a standout achievement. The reform eliminates the previous system of annual contracts, thereby eliminating both the cost and the stress of interns having to reapply for their jobs on an annual basis.
This certainty is obviously beneficial for the junior doctors concerned, but it also provides workforce certainty for WA Health. This in turn, can lead to greater flexibility.
Having more functional and more productive key health institutions should be a goal of all governments.
The judges commented that AMA WA’s policy success should contribute to improved health outcomes across the WA system. This initiative may spread nationally over time.
In addition, the successful recombination of the Minister of Health and Mental Health is also a noteworthy success for the WA branch.
Best Public Health Campaign from a State or Territory 2017 – AMA Western Australia
‘Australia’s Mental Health Crisis”
Mental health is a serious issue and this campaign had a strong focus on young people, while also acknowledging the difficult area of workplace mental health.
To tackle the problem, AMA WA developed a dual approach to reach youth at school and adults in the workplace – two groups under severe mental health pressure.
AMA WA has developed a state-of-the-art best practice mental health program that is being recognised Australia-wide as the best of its kind.
Judges commended the branch on the clarity and quality of the campaign. They said the effectiveness in engaging and delivering its important message pointed to a significant public health intervention that deserved to be regognised.
Best State Publication 2017– AMA Victoria
‘Vicdoc’
Vicdoc covered the ethical, political, clinical, and work based issues facing the medical profession in great detail.
It included contributions from key political figures, including the Victorian Health Minister, and dealt with key State-based political issues in depth.
The publication covered important clinical issues, from physician-assisted dying to drug addiction. It provided advice on how to handle tricky issues such as patients seeking a second opinion while also providing sound advice to new doctors.
Judges commented that the publication was valuable and informative and a must-read for any Victorian doctor. The front covers were simple and with compelling use of images. The standard of writing in this publication was extremely high and very informative.
National Advocacy Award 2017 – AMA Victoria
‘Assisted dying’
The Victorian Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee held an Inquiry into End of Life Choices. AMA Victoria made a submission to this inquiry and presented to the Committee and hearing.
AMA Victoria called for improved funding for palliative care services, and legislative changes to the Doctrine of Double Effect through the enactment of legislation to provide legal certainty to medical practitioners in connection with the accepted clinical practices of double effect and non-provision of futile care.
AMA Victoria’s actions and commentary on assisted dying have always referenced and reflected AMA Federal’s policy position.
Judges commended AMA Victoria on its clear and concise submission to the inquiry into a very sensitive and often divisive issue.
Most Innovative Use of Website or New Media 2017 – AMA Western Australia
‘www.wahealthfirst.com’
WAhealthfirst.com.au utilises a new media approach that generates conversation from content advocating AMA WA’s position on key political issues, most relevant to the recent State election earlier this year. An expected outcome of new media is to use technology available to provide clear and easy communication to the user.
Powered through the Wordpress content system, the attribution of the website’s innovative approach can be given to its easily identifiable domain name branding and the intent to list each key political party’s policies so as to allow the WA voter to make informed decisions at the polling booth.
Judges commended AMA WA in the success of WAhealthfirst.com.au and said it was clear it simplified the voter education process of health policy while also providing the facts.
Date 26 May 2017
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