Australian Medical Association

The AMA strongly supports DonateLife Week and the work of the Government and the Organ and Tissue Authority to generate greater awareness and understanding of organ and tissue donation in the community.

AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that Australia’s organ donation rate is increasing, with Australia achieving its highest donation rate last year, but more hard work and education is needed to build on this success.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that, should the Government succeed in getting its private health insurance means test changes through the Parliament, all savings should be ploughed back into the health system.

Dr Hambleton said that the extra funding would assist cover existing need in the system and help compensate the public hospital system for any extra demand that may occur as a result of the changes.

AMA Federal Budget Submission 2012-13 - The AMA is calling on the Federal Government to use the May Budget to strengthen the ‘pillars’ of the Australian health system at a time when the world is entering a phase of economic uncertainty.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that in hard times it is important for governments to strengthen those parts of the health system that will provide the greatest benefit to patients and the community.

“There is every indication that this will be a frugal Budget across the board, but health funding must not go backwards,” Dr Hambleton said.

“The ‘pillars’ of the health system – the parts that work well and which patients and communities rely on – must be recognised and funded accordingly in the Budget,” Dr Hambleton said.

The AMA welcomes the Government’s acknowledgement that May Budget cuts to mental health services are hurting patients but its decision not to reverse cuts to Medicare funding for GP mental health services is disappointing.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Government has failed to address the fact that the Budget cuts to Medicare rebates for general practice mental health services are having a detrimental impact on patients.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today paid tribute to the many doctors and other health professionals who were honoured on Australia Day for their passion for their profession and their dedication to their patients and their communities.

Dr Hambleton said that the wonderful thing about the Honours is that they acknowledge achievement at the international, national and local level and they recognise excellence across all avenues of human endeavour.

Dr Hambleton speaks to ABC News Radio about comments made by the former director of the Professional Services Review Panel Dr Tony Webber saying Medicare costs $3 billion a year and is open to rorts by unethical doctors. In addition Dr Hambleton discusses energy drinks and prescription drugs.

AMA Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas

The AMA has made an extensive submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas, setting out viable strategies to improve access to health care for people living in rural and remote Australia.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that a broad practical plan that incorporates clever thinking and local solutions is needed to attract doctors to rural practice and keep them in local communities for the long term.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today encouraged Indigenous medical students to apply for the 2012 AMA Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship.

Dr Hambleton said that an important part of closing the Indigenous health and life expectancy gap is to build an adequate workforce that includes Indigenous doctors and health professionals.

The AMA welcomes the decision by the Privacy Commissioner to issue a fresh public interest determination covering the collection of family and social medical histories by medical practitioners and other health service providers.

This determination ensures that doctors can continue to collect third party health information that is relevant to a patient's family or social history without the family member having to give their consent.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today called on the Government and health groups to place a renewed focus on child and youth health issues in 2012.

Children and young people confront a range of health issues including poor diet and obesity, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and bullying.  The degree to which these conditions have an impact can be influenced by socio-economic factors.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA is urging governments to impose tougher restrictions on alcohol marketing to young people.

Dr Hambleton said the warmer weather and high profile sporting and music events make summer the ideal time for alcohol companies to exploit current loopholes in advertising regulations and launch mass advertising and marketing campaigns that encourage teenagers and young people to drink, often recklessly.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today urged all Australians to keep an eye out for neighbours and relatives for signs of stress, distress, depression or loneliness over the Christmas period.

Dr Hambleton said that the Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration and family for most people but it can also be a time of sadness and isolation for others.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Dental Association (ADA) have joined forces to heighten community awareness of the importance of dental care as part of overall personal health and wellbeing.

Doctors and dentists are specifically reminding people about the dangers of excess sugar consumption over the holidays.

AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that the AMA is urging Australians to use the Christmas holiday period to consider registering to become an organ donor.

Professor Dobb said that Christmas is a time of giving and a time when families gather together, making it the ideal time for people to choose to become a donor and talk to family members about supporting their decision.

The AMA has released the AMA Position Statement on Funding of Residential Aged Care 2011.

AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that there is no doubt that the funding of residential aged care now and into the future in a fair and sustainable way is a complex and emotive challenge for the nation.

AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that the ongoing availability of quality medical care for older Australians is a crucial component of aged care that needs immediate consideration by the Government.

Professor Dobb said that the AMA has developed a plan for the provision of medical services for older Australians that should be considered by the new Cabinet, which now features two senior Ministers from the Health portfolio.

The AMA applauds today’s decision to appoint the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, to Cabinet, and adding Social Inclusion to his portfolio.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said that mental health and ageing are key areas of the health portfolio that deserve the attention and advocacy of a Cabinet Minister.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA welcomes the appointment of Tanya Plibersek as Minister for Health.

Dr Hambleton said that Ms Plibersek’s Ministerial experience in Housing, Human Services, and the Status of Women, along with her commitment to social equity and social justice, makes her well equipped to take on the demands and challenges of the Health portfolio.

The AMA is extremely disappointed that the Forum on Food Regulation today failed to endorse the traffic light system of labelling for packaged food.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said that the Ministers have ignored the recommendations of the Labelling Logic report, which was prepared by an independent expert panel, and the professional advice from a range of public health authorities, including the AMA.

The AMA is urging the Federal Government to reconsider its decision not to support traffic light labelling for packaged foods and beverages.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, has today written to Health Minister Nicola Roxon, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King, and Minister for Agriculture Senator Joe Ludwig, sending them an AMA brochure that provides compelling evidence that traffic light labelling is effective and explains how the system would work in practice.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Government has responded positively to a number of recommendations of the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy, but its failure to show leadership on traffic light labelling for foods is a huge disappointment.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Climate Commission report, The Critical Decade: Climate change and health, adds further weight to the AMA’s call for a National Strategy for Health and Climate Change.

Dr Hambleton said that the AMA shares the view of the Climate Commission that climate change poses a real and imminent threat to the health of Australians.

Dr Hambleton speaks with Red Symons about immunisation. He says that one in 10 Australian children are not immunised and the finding that found that immunisation can cause autism has been discredited

United General Practice Australia (UGPA) leaders have warned the Commonwealth and State Governments to ensure there is genuine consultation with GP groups on primary health care policy and reform or risk alienating the core sector of the reform process.

During a meeting today in Canberra, UGPA reiterated the need for better consultation and communication about the role of Medicare Locals.

The AMA has written to all MPs and Senators urging their support for changes to the National Health Amendment (Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement Initiatives) Bill, which was introduced to Parliament yesterday.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the Bill in its current form would permit a significant change in the professional role of pharmacists that the AMA believes is not in the best interests of patients or the professional relationship between doctors and pharmacists.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA supports the intent of the Greens’ Bill to regulate junk food advertising.

Dr Hambleton said that the Bill has succeeded in putting the focus back on the reality that voluntary schemes might work for a while, but there are no guarantees for the long term.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that Australia’s reputation as a world leader in public health initiatives that save lives and improve people’s health has been significantly enhanced with the Parliament giving the final tick to the Government’s pioneering tobacco plain packaging legislation.

AMA RED TAPE SURVEY 2011

The AMA has estimated that halving the amount of Government red tape confronted by GPs each week would free up approximately 7.4 million extra general practice consultations every year, which would dramatically improve patient access to health care.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA welcomes the Government’s investment in general practice through primary care infrastructure grants.

Dr Hambleton said that the grants – totalling $54 million this round – would enable existing practices to expand and upgrade their facilities.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today cautioned young people to play it safe as they set off for traditional Schoolies Week celebrations around the country to mark the end of a tough school year and, for many, the end of their high school days.

The Schoolies Week season commences this weekend in Queensland, with other States to follow in coming weeks.