Australian Medical Association

Health Reform Can’t Wait

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting today.

The AMA wants health to be the top priority in this election.

Health will make headlines this election – just as it has for the last couple of years with the Government’s reform agenda.

Now is the time for the major parties to make their case for a fresh mandate on health reform.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, addresses the AMA Parliamentary Dinner, Great Hall, Parliament House, Wednesday, 10 March 2010

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, outlines details of the AMA Priority Investment Plan for Australia's Health System.

Speech to 'Australia's Health’, The Congress on National Health Reform, Parliament House of Victoria, 30 November 2009

Dr Pesce discusses the health of medical practitioners at the 6th National Doctors' Health Conference in Adelaide.

AMA PRESIDENT, DR ANDREW PESCE, Speech to MIIAA 3rd Medical Indemnity Forum, SYDNEY, 28 August 2009

National Registration – what does it mean for the average doctor

AMA PRESIDENT, DR ANDREW PESCE, Closing Remarks, HEALTH-E NATION, National Convention Centre, Canberra, 19 August 2009

E-health – The need for unity of purpose

AMA VICE PRESIDENT, DR STEVE HAMBLETON, Speech to Catholic Health Australia National Conference, Hobart, Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Improving The Bond Between Primary, Acute and Sub Acute Care 

Introduction

Ladies, gentlemen and distinguished guests, good morning.

As some of you may know, I'm a general practitioner who runs a long-established, but modern, medical practice.

In my practice, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals work collaboratively for the best patient outcomes.

The way I run my practice is logical and works well for both patients and staff.

JAMES LUSH: The first round of public hearings into the Federal Government's proposed changes to Medicare begins in Perth today. The Government plans to lift the income threshold for paying the Medicare surcharge to $100,000 for singles and $150,000 for couples.

Dr Rosanna Capolingua is the president of the Australian Medical Association, and joins us.

You're not very happy about this change at all, are you?

ROSS STEVENSON: Here are some of the - just adding to the occupations list, that we've got four new occupations from this morning's news alone. There is 'classy cat', 'alleged black widow', 'sex industry stalwart', and now add to the list 'stressed doctors'. That is the thrust of the front page story in the Herald Sun, that our medical system is at breaking point and that doctors are working too many hours and under too much stress.

Dr Rosanna Capolingua is the national president of the Australian Medical Association. Good morning, Doctor.