President’s Update - your voice matters

Election 2026: Your voice matters

The South Australian election is seven months away. That might seem like plenty of time, but to influence the policies that will shape the future of healthcare in our state, planning is already well underway for AMA SA’s strong, evidence-based advocacy campaign. And we need your input. 

Earlier this week, you should have received an email from me inviting you to complete a short 5-minute survey. It’s your chance to tell us what matters most – whether it’s scrapping the payroll tax decision, better workforce planning, or ensuring doctors have a say in major infrastructure projects, and any other health-related issue you believe we need to advocate for.

As the only organisation representing all South Australian doctors across every specialty, career stage, and workplace, AMA SA is your voice. Help us make that voice clear and articulate by completing the survey.

Take the survey

Ramping record

One issue that will dominate public debate in the lead-up to the election is ramping.

July’s ramping figures were the worst ever recorded in South Australia, with 5,866 hours lost on the ramp. That’s 327 more hours than the previous record set in July 2024.

These numbers are a stark reminder of the immense pressure on our hospitals and the doctors, nurses and allied healthcare workers doing their utmost in extremely challenging conditions. To those doctors who are facing this daily – thank you.

The State Government has cited high flu numbers and a shortage of federally funded aged care beds as contributing factors. We acknowledge these factors but there are other strategies that can and should be trialled and implemented if successful. Our Round Table recommendations list a suite of practical proposals that we would like to see put into action.  

Ahead of the election, AMA SA will continue to call for smart, targeted investment to expand capacity in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and community care – and very specifically, strengthening general practice.

Just as critically, we’ll be advocating for investment in the medical workforce. South Australians deserve timely care from skilled professionals who are supported by the systems and staff they need to do their jobs well.

Addressing ramping, overcrowding, long elective surgery waits, and staff burnout requires forward planning and sustainable funding. That’s the message we’ll be taking to decision-makers – with your support.

Speaking of engaging with decision-makers…

That’s a great segue to report on one of our regular meetings. Last week, Vice President Louis Papillon and I met with Minister Chris Picton and SA Health Chief Executive Robyn Lawrence for a constructive discussion on a range of issues affecting our health system.

We welcomed the opportunity to review the data and demographics behind the recent record ambulance ramping hours (which AMA SA has previously commented on – see above), and to examine solutions before patients end up on the ramp. As always, AMA SA advocated for strengthening access to primary care provided by our GP workforce, simplifying processes to access non-GP specialist care, and a focus on preventative care – all recommendations from the Round Table.

We discussed workforce mapping, opportunities to optimise capacity for surgical services in regional South Australia through both resident and visiting specialists, and the impact of an ageing population with the clear need for increased capacity in aged care. While we discussed a range of issues in the Commonwealth policy space, the state government remains the steward of our state’s health system and retains accountability for it.

We are grateful that the Minister has taken steps to ensure AMA SA has a formalised opportunity to provide clinician input into the architectural and clinical service design of the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

These meetings provide valuable and meaningful engagement which AMA SA appreciates. Beyond the meeting, it is the important follow-ups ahead for both AMA SA and the government that will ensure the value of the dialogue between doctors and the state government.

AMA SA will continue to advocate for practical, implementable, clinician-led solutions that deliver better care for South Australians

Looking back to look forward

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting members of the History Committee of AMA SA. As President, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding work of the AMA SA History Committee. For many decades, the History Committee has safeguarded the story of our profession in South Australia – preserving artefacts, curating archives, publishing historical reflections, and educating the next generation of doctors.

Their contributions include landmark publications such as Doctors and Disease in the Colony and Heroism, Humanity and Sacrifice, the creation of a Virtual Museum, and the successful stewardship of AMA SA’s collection now housed at the CALHN Medical Museum. They are now focused on strategies to make medical history accessible and attractive to young doctors and medical students.

I met with current members of the committee – David Evans (Chair), Peter Kreminski, Peter Joseph and Ross Philpott, who have been supported by many colleagues including Bill Heddle and Hayden Cain and many others – all of whom give generously of their time to ensure that the legacy of South Australian medicine is not forgotten.

When I asked the members of the AMA SA History Committee why they first joined the AMA, their response was simple and powerful:
“Because the AMA mattered to us then — and it still matters to us now.”

To the History Committee – present, past and future – thank you for your invaluable contribution. The work you do is not just about the past – it is about shaping the pride, purpose, and direction of our profession in South Australia into the future.

As always please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any issues you would like your AMA-SA to address.