President’s update – Preventive care, election priorities and an important milestone

The enduring truth that ‘prevention is better than cure’ underpins our work as doctors. It is not merely a saying, but a guiding principle. 

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with three organisations committed to advancing disease prevention and early intervention: Preventive Health SA, Diabetes SA, and Doctors for Nutrition. These meetings were a valuable opportunity to explore how we might collaborate to improve community wellbeing. Each organisation expressed a strong interest in partnering with AMA SA, recognising our role as a trusted platform for promoting evidence-based, community-focused health messaging.

A key theme across all discussions was the vital role of general practitioners. GPs are the cornerstone of our health system and are uniquely positioned to provide and coordinate comprehensive, preventive care. They empower patients with science, evidence-based advice, and motivational, non-stigmatising messaging that supports informed lifestyle choices.

There was broad agreement that GPs need adequate time and the right tools to deliver effective preventive care — not only to treat patients with chronic and complex conditions, but also to help prevent illness before it starts. This aligns with AMA SA’s ongoing campaign to modernise Medicare, which advocates for reforms that support longer consultations and better resourcing for primary care.

These conversations reaffirmed that while our organisations may have different areas of focus, we share a common goal: supporting community wellbeing through informed choices, respectful care, and collaborative action.

If you're a GP or a doctor working in preventive medicine, I encourage you to explore Preventive Health SA’s LiveLighter campaign – a good example of an initiative that promotes healthier lifestyle choices without undermining patient autonomy. It’s also worth noting that Doctors for Nutrition is hosting a Nutrition and Lifestyle  Medicine Symposium in Adelaide from 8–9 November, aimed at inspiring the adoption of healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. 

Minister’s meeting 

Interim AMA SA CEO Paul Anderson, policy advisor Karen Phillips and I met Minister Chris Picton in his Parliament House rooms on Tuesday.

We were joined by SA Health DCE for Clinical System Support and Improvement, Robyn Lindsay. Robyn leads much of the work to determine how the health system can and should respond to the recommendations emanating from the AMA SA Access to Care Round Table. We made it clear to the Minister that those recommendations remain central to AMA SA’s advocacy, and we will be seeking a commitment to act on them from all parties contesting the upcoming South Australian election. The Minister was keen to hear about our election priorities, and I’ve indicated that while we continue to develop the details, workforce planning, regional services, and improving care for older South Australians will be key focus areas. I also raised issues brought to my attention by members, including support for patients with laryngectomies in South Australia and concerns about adequate capacity at the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital to support young South Australians with adolescent mental health challenges. 

Celebrating a milestone

After the meeting, the Minister and I both attended the 40^th celebrations of Palliative Care SA at Government House. It’s an organisation that has, for four decades, provided comfort, dignity, and compassion to countless South Australians at the most vulnerable times of their lives. I was grateful for the opportunity to acknowledge the important work that Palliative Care SA does for South Australians on behalf of AMA SA. 

As your President, I value the opportunity to connect with you and to raise issues with powerbrokers, partners and the community on your behalf.