Australian Medical Association (NSW)

TEAMWORK: Thanks to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park for taking time tonight to meet with our AMA (NSW) Doctors-in-Training committee members to discuss workforce issues in our hospitals. AMA (NSW) has been robustly advocating for staff recruitment and retention to meet patient demand across NSW Health for some time and it was positive to hear both are prime goals for the Minister and his team. Thanks also to AMA (NSW) president Dr Kathryn Austin and vice-president Dr Fred Betros for their attendance and support of our young doctors.

DID YOU KNOW: AMA (NSW) has an expert workplace relations team available to advise members on a broad range of medico-legal matters. Yesterday, AMA (NSW) Director of Workplace Relations Dominique Egan joined a panel discussion at The Skin Hospital’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney to provide advice and take some challenging questions from attendees. AMA (NSW) provides members with career-long representation on medical policy issues and workplace relations – and is available for medical students through to specialists. To join, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gjCkhTZK

FINALISTS. Two AMA (NSW) members have been named as finalists in the Stronger Medicare Awards, which mark the 40th anniversary of Medicare. The awards honour those who have made an exceptional contribution to the health of Australians, going above and beyond for their patients. Congratulations to Raymond Terrace GP Dr Chris Boyle and Bidwill GP Dr Siow Liew for being named among a strong field of finalists from across the nation. Winners willl be announced in Canberra on Monday.

MENTAL HEALTH: Today's 2024 AMA Public Hospital Report Card into mental health shows NSW has fewer beds for mental health patients than five years ago, and patients are waiting longer to be seen. Bright, noisy emergency departments can be highly distressing for mental health patients and AMA (NSW) is calling for an urgent gap analysis and comprehensive plan to attract and retain mental health staff to our public hospitals. To read the report: https://lnkd.in/gpJcgM4G

MATERNITY CRISIS: AMA (NSW) has been working extensively behind the scenes with obstetricians and Hunter New England Local Health District management for some time to resolve the escalating maternity crisis at Tamworth Hospital. As AMA (NSW) president Dr Kathryn Austin has told The Sydney Morning Herald, the government must urgently improve pay, access to leave, education and training to retain remaining staff, and begin a sensitive discussion on consolidating maternity services in the region during this crisis.

DID YOU KNOW: What does a land of sweeping plains have to do with the AMA? As many know, My Country, one of Australia's best known poems, was written by Dorothea Mackellar at the age of 19. Less well known is that Dorothea was the only daughter of Sir Charles Mackellar, the fifth president of the NSW branch of the British Medical Association, now known as the AMA. Despite his privileged upbringing, Sir Charles was a practical philanthropist whose life work focused on caring for the "helpless, homeless and friendless". A physician, businessman, politician and social reformer, he travelled extensively, visiting reformatories, industrial schools, remand homes and children’s courts, pushing for uniform laws for neglected children and compulsory registration and inspection of children’s institutions. Sir Charles and Dorothea are now buried together at Waverley cemetery, along with other members of their family - all with a spectacular view of our country's "far horizons and jewel-sea".

CELEBRATION: The year is fast drawing to a close and we would like you to join us for an evening of drinks, canapés and music at the Australian Museum in Darlinghurst on Thursday, November 28 from 6.30pm to 9pm. Network with our Board and council members while reconnecting with old friends and meeting new colleagues. AMA (NSW) members may purchase a member ticket on behalf of their partner/guest. To register: https://lnkd.in/gDnba_rZ

FULL PLATE: For many, studying medicine can be all-consuming, but for Abigail Leeder, it wasn’t enough of a challenge. Halfway through her studies, she gave birth to daughter Matilda, returning a year later ”refreshed and ready to tackle year four – the toughest year of the degree”. The oldest of nine, Abigail, 32, attended a small religious school where science was not heavily emphasised so she completed an arts degree in policy and Arab/Islamic studies, later moving into roles with the Federal and NSW governments and the RACGP. But, after meeting her husband, James, a psychiatry registrar, she knew medicine was for her. Now, she’s about to start her internship at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown and is hoping she can become “a safe pair of hands” for her colleagues. "I don’t have too many fears for the intern year – but there will be an adjustment early on in managing work and home life.” James has been doing locum work to give him more time to care for Matilda, and Abigail’s huge family has “an army of involved aunties” keen to provide support. “The key for me will be honesty in navigating any difficulties. I need to recognise when to lean on them for support before it gets too much.” AMA (NSW) provides members with career-long representation on medical policy issues and workplace relations – and is available for medical students through to specialists. To join: https://lnkd.in/gjCkhTZK

HOSPITALS IN THE HOME: Today's Sydney Morning Herald highlights the need for more innovative home-based care for patients across NSW, but an expansion of services must not replace doctors on the ground. As AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen says: "Hospitals are needed when patients have an urgent, life-threatening problem and need round-the-clock care, but there are many people in hospital beds who have had their initial treatment and could have the rest of their care at home".

REIMAGINED: Health care is always adapting, reflecting research and patient need. This week, Westpac has launched its newest report, Time to Optimise and Adapt, in partnership with AMA (NSW). It reveals how healthcare businesses are being reimagined in 2024 via vertical integration, diversification and co-location of services promoting the rise of health hubs. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g9pv-Gmv