Latest wins: President and CEO update - August 2024
Welcome to our monthly President and CEO update where we highlight our recent wins, latest advocacy efforts, media opportunities, and campaign updates.
RECENT WINS
Five AMA Queensland members elected to Federal Council
Congratulations to our members Drs Sarah Coll, Xavier Yu, Jasmine Davis, Ekta Paw, and A/Prof Gregory Duncombe who have been elected to the AMA Federal Council.
The Council comprises five practice group and 12 specialty group representatives, seven state nominees, three ordinary members, one independent representative, and a representative each for the Australian Medical Students’ and the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Associations.
Between the five, there are elected representatives of private specialists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, radiologists, and ordinary members.
Three AMA Queensland members honoured at AMA24
We are pleased to announce that three AMA Queensland members were honoured for their contribution to healthcare at the AMA24 National Conference.
The conference, held on the Gold Coast over the first few days of August, featured a packed program of keynote speakers, networking opportunities and workshops, all leading up to the Gala Dinner where members from around the country were honoured for their contribution to healthcare.
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and clinician Prof Caroline de Costa AM was awarded the 2024 AMA Gold Medal for her leadership in reproductive, Pacific and Indigenous health in regional Australia.
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM has been honoured with the 2024 Diversity in Medicine Award for his outstanding contribution to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the medical field.
Anaesthetist, researcher and teacher Prof André Van Zundert has been awarded the 2024 AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award in recognition of his commitment to medicine, research, teaching and volunteering.
ADVOCACY EFFORTS
Whooping cough vaccine
Last month we wrote to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard calling for the whooping cough vaccine to be made free for people not currently covered under the National Immunisation Program.
As of 28 July 2024, Queensland has recorded 6,199 whooping cough cases.
The program would align with those included in the Queensland Budget for influenza, Meningococcal B and RSV, help to reduce rates of infection and ease pressure on limited stocks of mycoplasma antibiotics.
While the government has decided against making the vaccine free for more groups, it recognises the need to boost vaccination in eligible cohorts and has asked for our support in this endeavour.
MEDIA
The importance of discussing medications with your GP
In response to a proposed class action by Shine Lawyers against proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) we spoke to ABC Radio about anticipated patient concerns.
The legal action is claiming a scientifically proven connection between PPIs and different forms of cancers or kidney failures – a claim that is likely to cause distress for patients currently taking the medication.
We reassured patients that while most medications have some side effects, PPIs have been around for decades, their side effects are relatively mild and they been a life changer for much of the population.
The best thing for anyone who has concerns about their medication to do is to have that conversation with their GP.
PAs won't solve our workforce shortage
We are preparing our response to the Queensland Health proposal to employ more physician’s assistants (PAs) in our public hospitals,
We remain concerned about the impact on patient safety and appropriate training opportunities for junior doctors should this proposal go ahead.
We have a workforce shortage in doctors, nurses, paramedics and other specialists across the whole health service. However, rather than band-aid fixes, we need long-term solutions to ensure that we can continue caring for all Queensland patients.
As there is no university program for PAs in Australia, we understand they will be recruited from the UK and the US. PAs will not be registered under AHPRA, leaving competency standards to the unknown.
The program also has the potential to further hinder our workforce shortage. PAs will be performing a lot of the roles junior doctors already do, limiting the essential training and learning experiences of our doctors in training.
Read the ABC TV interview transcript
Read the ABC Radio interview transcript
Leave decisions to clinicians
After claims from hospital doctors of interference by senior executives in clinical decision making, we spoke with 4BC Radio about the importance of leaving decisions to clinicians.
We acknowledge there are great challenges currently facing in our healthcare system, from ramping and hospital flow to aged care access. However, the last thing we want is for that data to be manipulated.
Accurate data is essential to understand where the gaps in our system and where we need to recruit and retain.
This behaviour also greatly undermines the knowledge and expertise of our medical workforce, contributing to higher rates of burnout and lower rates of retention.
Mandatory health check ups
In response to AHPRA’s proposal to introduce mandatory health checkups for doctors over 70, AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim told ABC Radio that any new regulations must not discriminate against any group.
Doctors are just as prone to health issues as their patients, and it is important that doctors of all ages have and regularly see their own GP.
However, AHPRA already has mandatory reporting for doctors of all categories, and additional barriers could force doctors into earlier retirement.
We also acknowledge the importance of protecting patients, and support evidence-based, fair and consistent health checks and support the Board’s option to rely on existing guidance.
OUR CAMPAIGNS
Surgical Waitlist Roundtable update
AMA Queensland’s Surgical Wait List Roundtable held its fifth meeting on 6 August to continue working to identify solutions to inequitable elective surgery wait times for regional and rural Queenslanders.
The Roundtable, made up of clinicians from around the state, has been reviewing existing research and models, priority specialties and priority locations.
It is on track to release its Action Plan recommendations ahead of the October state election.
