AMA Queensland is the peak body representing the entire medical profession throughout the state.

With the support of our members in 2021 we have responded to unprecedented health challenges and achieved strong outcomes to help doctors deliver exemplary health care to Queenslanders.

We're proud to be the only group able to represent all doctors providing unparalleled support throughout every career stage– from starting as a student, becoming a consultant, all the way through to retirement.

No other association supports every craft group, in every state, across the public and private sectors, like the AMA.

Our unique, holistic perspective and direct member engagement allows us to identify and address gaps or duplication across the entire health system and advocate for solutions that support doctors and patients.

Be a part of the AMA Queensland community of doctors who collaborate, support and connect with each other to advocate for change on the health care issues that matter.

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In 2021, we continued to face unparalleled pressures in the health care sector. We quickly rose to the challenges and responded to our members’ needs and helped doctors navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 crisis. Here is a snapshot of our achievements for members in 2021.

	Powerful media voice >760 media mentions, 35.2M accumulated audience Influenced government and led the conversation  2021 media releases Ensured our members’ voices were heard, nationally, locally and in the workplace
	Strong member engagement  >6.2K touchpoints providing help and information for our members >575 discussions on Queensland Doctors Community, our online member platform, where you lead the conversation, connect with other doctors and let us know what is important to you Held the ever-popular networking event Women in Medicine Breakfast with three eminent female doctor members Hosted the sixth annual Junior Doctor Conference in Townsville, an important event for junior doctors and medical students to engage and be inspired Celebrated the medical profession at the Dinner for the Profession  Held In Conversation live sessions with:  Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young Palliative Care Queensland CEO Shyla Mills Drs Ian Williams and Richard Kidd on aged care reforms Drs Jennifer Schafer and Ira van der Steenstraten on doctors' health
	Supporting doctors’ mental health and wellbeing  Helped doctors facing unprecedented levels of mental and physical strain Ran the Self-Care September and Every Dr Needs a GP campaigns to raise awareness of the challenges facing doctors and provided our members with help and support Every Dr Needs a GP Self-Care September Lobbied the State Government for $2M to support doctors’ mental health with effective wellbeing programs including the private sector Delivered 54 Wellbeing at Work sessions at 21 hospitals for 837 interns, giving them the right tools and strategies at the start of their medical careers
	Fought for your safety  Successfully lobbied for the appropriate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for our members ASMOFQ ran a dispute against Queensland Health in the QIRC which resulted in proper P2/N95 fit-testing across all HHSs Advocated for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of all public health care workers Conducted the sixth Resident Hospital Health Check, which evaluates employment conditions for Queensland doctors in training and compares hospitals across the state
	COVID support  Doctors are facing incredible mental and physical strain from COVID-19 with many experiencing isolation and limited support, but we’re here to help Secured a Public Health Directive for a consistent program of PPE fit-testing and vaccines for public doctors and health care workers More fit-testing needed to protect doctors and the community ASMOFQ and AMA Queensland advocacy has made your workplace safer Doctors and nurses join forces to demand safety ASMOFQ ensure Queensland Health deliver consistent PPE fit-testing Secured the Queensland Government roadmap out of COVID Doctors call for state roadmap out of COVID Secured border bubble for health care workers as essential workers  Border check point should be moved Medical support workers are essential Reinstatement of border bubble welcome Compassion for stranded Queenslanders Successfully lobbied for mandatory COVID vaccination for all health workers  Mandatory vaccinations for all health care workers National guidelines for mandatory vaccination needed Mandatory vaccines needed for all health care workers Ensured general practitioners were the backbone of COVID vaccine program GPs to play key role in COVID vaccinations GPs kick-off priority vaccine rollout GPs best placed to manage vaccine hesitancy GPs can register to administer Pfizer vaccine COVID-19 vaccine rollout ramps up Secured a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for general practitioners Advocacy win: Government to supply PPE to GPs COVID-19 vaccine rollout and PPE Lobbied for fair payments for GPs in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines including longer consultations and aged care visits Achieved the no-fault compensation vaccine indemnity scheme Applied pressure to increase vaccine supply Supply the issue in vaccine rollout No empty spaces at GP vaccination hubs Queensland vaccination rollout limited by supply, not demand Not enough supply of vaccine but huge demand Obtained telehealth provisions for GPs in COVID-19 hot spots Continued pressure to mandate vaccines for private sector health care workers Presented training/webinars to support members with the COVID-19 vaccine clinics and to comply with the Queensland health directions relating to COVID-19 vaccinations COVID-19 vaccine webinars Pushed for greater resources to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the 5-11 year old age group when announced by ATAGI Represented GPs concerns at the weekly meeting of the State Health Emergency Coordination Centre and at equivalent federal meetings Pushed for greater resources for GPs caring for COVID positive patients, recognising the inadequacy of the $25 fee
	Workplace relations expertise  1.4K private practice member engagements providing workplace relations information and guidance Provided members with free access to the AMA Fees list for costing assistance and guidance Raised awareness of the issues facing your workforce and patients’ health care. Lobbied for mandatory vaccinations for private health care workers The Workplace Relations Team provided webinars on leave essentials, mental health in the workplace, employment termination, Work, Health and Safety requirements and complaints and grievance management Private Practice Webinar Training Series Delivered targeted workplace webinars covering numerous issues including COVID-19 implications for practices and health care workers Supported practice owners to implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace
	Industrial relations wins  >6K member engagements with our industrial relations partner the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation Queensland (ASMOFQ) ASMOFQ negotiated on your behalf and supported members in public hospital industrial matters Secured five per cent pay rise for Queensland Health-employed doctors Queensland Health doctors to receive first of two pay rises Secured pay equity for Rural Generalists working in rural hospitals Fair pay secured for Rural Generalists Commenced negotiations with Queensland Health to find a solution for specialists affected by recent changes in Medicare billing  Advocacy win for private practice billing Re-activated the Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) committee AMA Queensland VMO Committee Secured equitable pay rises for VMOs in collaboration with ASMOFQ VMOs to receive a long-awaited pay increase Worked with ASMOFQ to get VMOs access to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission  Major Win for Visiting Medical Officers Successfully lobbied for VMOs to be included in Medical Officers' Certified Agreement 6 (MOCA 6)  VMOs to be covered by MOCA 6 Conducted sixth Resident Hospital Health Check, which evaluates employment conditions for Queensland doctors in training and compares hospitals across the state Resident Hospital Health Check 2021
	Policy success  Provided the evidence, briefings and reports that delivered positive change for doctors Worked with local and state government to improve health care policy Represented our members’ view in Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation Members share views on draft VAD laws Doctors demand option for dying Queenslanders before VAD debate Exempt early career doctors from VAD Convened an emergency department Ramping Roundtable to address hospital access block Called out hospital system beyond capacity and extensive ramping Convened experts to develop an action plan for Queensland Health Achieved more funding and beds Audit office behind our push Called for better data to prepare action plan Currently creating action plan to address ramping and access block Successfully lobbied for an Office of Hospital Sustainability  Office of Hospital Sustainability a win for AMA Queensland advocacy Improved the situation for Bonded Medical Program doctors No bonded medical program participant will be penalised Lobbied for >$1.65B of health funding in the State Budget to address key priorities for patients and doctors. AMA Queensland 2021-22 Budget Submission Doctors disappointed by Budget Expanded funded prevocational GP training placements in rural areas Worked with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists to advocate for the care of patients with mental health issues including addressing long wait lists and funding inadequacies Provided feedback from our members on the implementation of QScript Spearheaded a proposal for a new step down registration category for senior doctors as they move towards retirement Provided extensive input into the prostheses list reform AMA submission to the Department of Health consultation in relation to options for reforms and improvements to the Prostheses List Prostheses List Reforms Argued against managed care in the form of the nib Honeysuckle deal before the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission AMA calls on ACCC to abandon proposed authorisation of Honeysuckle Health/nib buying group New regulator needed to prevent rapacious behaviour of health insurers AMA redoubles efforts to stop Honeysuckle and nib introducing US-style managed care Successfully lobbied Ahpra to support the identification and management of vexatious notifications New framework to deal with the identification and management of vexatious notifications Provided feedback to the Senate Committee to ensure the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme is transparent, efficient and fair Work needed to ensure AHPRA system is impartial and follows due process Released an annual Private Health Insurance Report Card and Prescription for Private Health Insurance to hold private health insurance companies to account Public Hospital Report Card shows increasing pressure on health system AMA Prescription for Private Health

In 2022, we will continue to support and represent Queensland doctors and focus on key issues affecting the medical profession such as:

• addressing the ramping crisis crippling Queensland hospitals
• lobbying for overdue Medicare changes
• ensuring VMOs are well represented in upcoming MOCA 6 negotiations
• advocating for strong health outcomes in the upcoming Federal election
• and many more.

We are proud to lead Queensland doctors and create better health outcomes for our community. 

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AMA Queensland walks beside members throughout their career, including medical students, doctors in training, senior medical officers, general practitioners, specialists and retired doctors. We support you and your colleagues in advocating for the strongest health system in Queensland through to provision of individual advice, support and representation on issues that affect you in the workplace.

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To contact the AMA Queensland Membership Team:

• Call (07) 3872 2222
• Email membership@amaq.com.au

Follow us and join the conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, as well as our member-only Queensland Doctors' Community (QDC).