Latest wins: President and CEO update – April 2025
Flooding in Central, Western and Southern Queensland has caused havoc for many in recent weeks, and we salute our members working in tough conditions in rural and regional areas. We remain available for advice and support and urge you to remember the importance of your own wellbeing in times of natural disasters.
This month, we have spoken out against developments in both pharmacy prescribing and pill testing and called for better anti-infection controls in our hospitals. We have also urged the government to publish more relevant real-time health data for clinicians and patients. Our focus is now turning to the upcoming state budget, the first from the new LNP government, where medical workforce investment will be our key issue.
RECENT WINS
Increased specialist support for the regions
The Central West Renal Unit program initially announced in 2022 was officially opened on 4 April at the Longreach Hospital.
This is a great step towards providing Queenslanders with world-class healthcare services at their front door.
The state government has committed to the capital expansion program for our public hospitals, and it is essential the remainder of these initiatives are implemented and continued.
This includes the promised 2,200 new hospital beds, and accompanying waiting rooms, operating theatres and equipment. But we also need to see more medical staff to operate the new and expanded services.
We are pleased that these patients no longer need to relocate to places like Rockhampton, Townsville and Brisbane to receive renal dialysis care, and look forward continuing to work with the government to ensure other regional and rural communities are afforded the same access.
ADVOCACY EFFORTS
State budget
On April 9, we met with Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls to outline our organisation’s priorities ahead of the LNP government’s first budget in June.
Workforce was again a priority discussion topic with the Minister confirming the government is set to release its workforce plan in the second half of 2025.
Issues with Medicare bulk billing reforms, elective surgery, preventive health and maternity services were also discussed.
We look forward to continuing these discussions following the release of our budget priorities in the coming weeks.
Pharmacy prescribing
We were disappointed to see the Queensland government make pharmacy prescribing for certain conditions permanent in March – before final independent evaluation of two ongoing trials was completed.
Convenient access to healthcare is challenging, particularly considering the medical workforce shortages, but we strongly believe this move is dangerous and motivated by politics, not people.
AMA Queensland has long opposed the pharmacy prescribing program due to a lack of independent evaluation, increased costs to the health system and fragmentation of care.
This program is not the answer to overcrowded emergency departments and hospitals around Queensland – we need more staff, with proper qualifications, and better resourcing, not a political quick fix.
Pill testing
The two CheQpoint pill-testing sites in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast closed their doors on 4 April, after the Queensland Government pulled its support from the program.
The service – operated by The Loop a not-for-profit – tested more than 1000 drug samples since its pilot program began last year, with one in ten containing an unexpected psychoactive substance.
CheQpoint detected four samples of the highly toxic synthetic opioid nitazene since November – the most recent on the last day of operation.
AMA Queensland has called for the service to be reinstated to identify high-risk substances and provide education and support to those seeking information on medicines they have bought online to save costs on prescription medicines.
Nearly 700 people were given free and confidential health advice during the program’s run, which shows the benefit of having an early warning system.
Read our media release with The Loop and QuIVAA
Vaccines
On Wednesday 16 April AMA Queensland Immediate Past President Dr Maria Boulton joined Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll at a general practice in Newmarket to promote the importance of influenza and RSV vaccines.
This year alone there has been nearly 12,000 cases of influenza in the Queensland community. This is nearly triple the five-year average for this time of year.
There have been over 7,500 cases of RSV in Queensland this year – also significant number of cases considering the potential severity of the disease.
Vaccines are the most safe and effective way to prevent people from getting seriously ill or dying from such prevalent viruses.
We encourage everyone to make an appointment with their GP to receive their flu vaccine, and all eligible babies and pregnant women to do the same for RSV.
CAMPAIGNS
Board and Council election
AMA Queensland members will soon be asked to vote for one of two candidates for AMA Queensland President, while other positions have been elected unopposed.
Townsville surgeon A/Prof Daniel Carroll and Hervey Bay GP and incumbent President Dr Nick Yim will vie for AMA Queensland’s top job.
Vice President Dr Emilia Dauway will serve a second term after being elected unopposed, along with nine other positions on AMA Queensland Council.
Members will receive a personalised email to their inbox and will be asked to vote for the roles of President, two Member Elected Directors and two Specialist Representatives.
Student members will be asked to choose one Medical Student Representative out of four candidates for the role.
Keep an eye on your inbox for your unique voting link when the ballot opens on Monday 12 May. The ballot will then close on Monday 26 May.
FOUNDATION
GPTQ Bursaries
AMA Queensland Foundation has opened 2025 applications for our inaugural GPTQ Training and Research Bursary.
Bursaries of up to $20,000 will be awarded to up to four GP Fellows or GP Registrars who live and work in Queensland.
The bursary targets training or research initiatives which seek to promote better health outcomes in Queensland communities.
Applications close Thursday 1 May 2025.
EVENTS
2025 Medical Careers Expo
Originally planned for 8 March, our Medical Careers Expo went ahead on 22 March, cyclone-free, and with a huge array of speakers and exhibitors to inform and inspire medical students and junior doctors.
AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim and Councillor Dr Mikaela Seymour hosted the panels and speakers, which included financial freedom for medical professionals, how our corporate partners can help you, what opportunities are out there, and speed dating the specialties.
A huge thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors for their support in making this event successful – we’re already excited to host the event again in 2026.
Upcoming events
AMA Queensland has a range of upcoming events this year for every doctor at every stage of their career.
Junior doctors! Join us on the Fraser Coast in May for this year’s Junior Doctor Conference and discover the professional and lifestyle opportunities awaiting you! Hear from inspiring doctors who have walked in your shoes, make friends and meet important contacts.
Join AMA Queensland and the Australian Senior Active Doctors Association (ASADA) for our engaging and inspiring one-day Senior Doctor Conference tailored to senior active and retired doctors this August.
We invite all members to the most important black-tie gala for doctors this year - our Dinner for the Profession. Join us in your coolest attire at Brisbane's hottest new venue, The Star Brisbane, nestled at the heart of the multi-billion-dollar Queen’s Wharf precinct.
Are you based in North Queensland? Townsville doctors, we have the perfect weekend of networking and insightful discussion planned for you this July. Join us, your colleagues and other local doctors for our Member networking event on a Friday evening, before celebrating women supporting fellow women and our male allies at our Women in Medicine Breakfast.
Are you thinking about travelling overseas this year? Join us for our Annual Conference 2025 in Vancouver, Canada to earn CPD points and learn key issues facing the profession while immersed in a unique tourism destination.
We can't wait to see you at one of our 2025 events!
AMA Queensland works with the Federal AMA to champion the interests of our members, providing them with exclusive tools, events, and benefits to excel in in their professional and business lives.
In collaboration with our AMA colleagues in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia we are continuing to negotiate the terms of an agreement that recognises the roles each jurisdiction plays.
We are committed to achieving an outcome that ensures we can continue delivering streamlined services and exceptional value for our members.
We will keep you updated on the discussions as they progress.