In his latest President’s update Dr John Williams reflects on recent government promises to address bed block in South Australia, and how AMA is leading the charge for change.
They say a week is a long time in politics. With a federal election fast approaching, and South Australians heading to the polls next year, a week feels like a long time in healthcare too.
Since my last President’s update AMA SA has responded to major developments which affect healthcare in our state. On Wednesday 5 February the Prime Minister promised $169 million in extra funding for South Australian public hospitals. He says the one-off funding boost will help cut surgery waiting lists and reduce ED overcrowding.
The following day, the South Australian Government announced a separate measure to combat public hospital bed block. It’s establishing a Transition Care Service at Adelaide’s Pullman Hotel which will treat patients who no longer require acute hospital care. The facility will cater to post-operative patients and medically stable patients waiting for aged care accommodation or at-home support.
Click below to read AMA SA’s responses to these announcements.
The need for action is clear. Ramping figures - just one litmus test of the health of our public hospitals - increased for the third month in a row in January. South Australians spent a total of 3,479 hours waiting in ambulances for emergency care. Although this figure is well below the record high of 5,539 ramping hours logged in July, it remains cause for concern.
At both state and federal levels of government - across all sides of politics - our leaders recognise the need to address the pressure in our public hospitals. But building hospital capacity is only part of the solution. Problems like ramping and ED overcrowding will persist unless our leaders address the root problems in primary care.
AMA’s plan to modernise Medicare
Last week, AMA launched its Modernise Medicare campaign. After decades of neglect by successive Australian Governments, this is the kind of sensible reform Australia needs to strengthen primary healthcare now and into the future.
Let me talk you through the details.
 |
New structure of GP consultation items As Australia’s population ages, GPs are responding to ever-increasing rates of chronic and complex disease. Managing these conditions takes time, but standard GP consultation items within the Medicare Benefits Schedule are not fit for purpose. We’re proposing a complete overhaul of the system. Our Modernise Medicare model sets out a new seven-tier standard consultation item structure which will allow doctors to spend more time with their patients, without being financially penalised for it. The model was developed in consultation with our members over an 18-month period and has been fully tested against detailed economic modelling and available GP consultation time data. Crucially, the new model will support comprehensive care for patients, allowing GPs to better manage complex conditions and reduce unplanned hospital admissions. |
 |
More GPs Expanding the GP workforce is another central element of the plan. We’re calling on the Australian Government to increase GP training places. The current AGPT intake is 1500 doctors a year. We’re proposing a phased addition of 500 additional, funded vocational training places. We also want to see salary and leave conditions equalised for GP registrars so doctors leaving the hospital system and entering the GP training program don’t have to take a pay cut or lose leave conditions. |
 |
Team-based care in general practice AMA has long supported more efficient arrangements to support the provision of well-coordinated multidisciplinary care to patients with chronic and complex disease. We need to fund more nurses and allied health professionals to work with GPs to improve patient care and reduce avoidable hospital admissions. Our Modernise Medicare reform includes the removal of caps on how many nurses and allied health professional can be employed using Commonwealth Government funding arrangements. |
 |
Better data collection |
AMA SA taking action
Beyond the Modernise Medicare campaign, AMA SA is taking action to lead change in South Australia. We’re establishing a round table that will bring together health decision makers, advocates and thinkers in our state to examine the issues in primary care which contribute to problems in other parts of the health system. It’s our
hope that the members of this round table will develop strategies and innovations that will initiate impactful and lasting change. Watch this space for more details.
This year we’ve also established a new IMG (International Medical Graduate) Committee to help make South Australia a destination of choice for overseas trained doctors. IMGs play a crucial role in our health system and the IMG Committee will work to break down the administrative and bureaucratic barriers which affect their ability to successfully practise in South Australia.
Stronger together
AMA has a vision for a healthcare system that ensures equitable access to healthcare for all Australians. But to make that happen, we need your support. If you’re not a current AMA member, please consider joining to strengthen our voice.
Beyond our advocacy work, AMA SA also offers our members the professional networks and business tools they need to successfully practise medicine.
This year we have a jam-packed calendar of events designed to educate, inform and inspire doctors. We’re especially excited about our upcoming speed mentoring evening which will give interns and junior doctors the opportunity to gain professional and financial advice from AMA mentors and financial experts.
Click here for more information
Whether you’re a junior doctor, or more advanced in your career, AMA SA is working to improve outcomes for you and your patients. To better understand how we can offer value for you, please get in touch with our team via the Member Feedback Portal. We’d love to hear from you.
Yours in good health,
Dr John Williams
AMA SA President
Become a member
As your peak professional body we represent all South Australian doctors, no matter your craft group or career stage. We’re profession-led and patient-centred. Our activities are driven by our members. Together, we’re creating better health for all South Australians.
Join Now
Contact the AMA SA Membership Team:
- Call (08) 8361 0108
- Email membership@amasa.com.au
Join the conversation
Follow us and join the conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, as well as our Member Portal