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.

MJA release - A 26-year-old Adelaide woman contracted a potentially fatal illness after close contact with her pet rats, and the disease could become more common as rodent ownership rises, according to a case report published the February 20 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release -Australia could save hundreds of millions of dollars in PBS subsidies if generic medicines were prescribed more often and the system for pricing them was improved, according to an editorial published in the 20 February issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - A quarter of secondary school students are overweight or obese, and lifestyle and socioeconomic status are implicated, according to research published in the 20 February issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - Australia needs to implement world’s best practice in reducing exposure to cancer-causing agents to reduce the toll of work-related cancers, according to an article published in the February 20 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - Violence and aggression pose significant problems in hospitals, but a formal aggression management system can help, according to a study published the February 20 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - Almost 40% of people in the community with extensive atherothrombotic disease will suffer a cardiovascular event within a year, according to research published the February 20 issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

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.

MJA release - Paternal depression during a child’s first year can have a negative impact on the child’s behaviour and development, according to research published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - Women at high risk of breast cancer are missing out on drugs that have been shown to reduce the risk of developing the disease, according to an article in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, which is being promoted in the UK as a more accurate way to diagnose hypertension, is not the best way forward, according to health experts from the University of Sydney in an editorial in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia

MJA release - When it comes to preventing dog bites, outlawing dangerous breeds is futile – our focus should be on teaching children how to be more canine-savvy, writes Queensland paediatric surgeon, Professor Roy Kimble in an editorial in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release -Medical experts say the prominence given to brand names on medicine labels is confusing particularly to consumers, but also to doctors, and increases the risk of duplicate prescriptions and overdose, in an article in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

MJA release - A spate of severe boat propeller and jet-ski injuries highlights the need for improved watercraft safety features say medical experts in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.