President’s Word: In the wake of a tragedy
November 9, 2017
Australian Doctors united in harmony
November 9, 2017
FROM THE CEO
After the shock and sadness of losing so many colleagues at the beginning of the year, the profession has pulled together to effect change. Now the real work begins.
2017 HAS, at times, been a year of great sadness. The year started with the tragic news that the AMA’s own Dr Chloe Abbott took her own life – joining a list of other medical professionals that is already much too long. This death, and the deaths of others, has shaped much of 2017. I wanted to start by acknowledging Chloe’s family and her friends and colleagues, who have all worked this year to honour her memory by talking about the issue of doctors’ health and wellbeing. I also wanted to acknowledge the NSW Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, the Secretary, Elizabeth Koff, and all those within the Ministry of Health, who have taken this issue to heart and who are working to improve the health and wellbeing of doctors and others working in our health system.
Doctors’ health services from around the country have also gathered to find solutions on the issue. We all have so much more to do, but it’s important to recognise the significant discussions taking place.
Wellbeing was also the focus of the first survey undertaken by The Alliance’s Doctors-in-Training Committee, which looked at working conditions in our hospitals. The Hospital Health Check asked doctors-in-training about a range of key issues in our hospitals and rated those hospitals. The survey results can be found at www.alliancensw.com.au/hospital-health-check.
The survey involved a significant amount of work by our Doctors-in-Training Committee, chaired by Dr Tessa Kennedy. We have appreciated the support of a number of Chief Executives of Local Health Districts (LHDs), who have met with us to discuss the results and to talk about the changes they are trying to introduce in their LHDs.
On the advocacy side, we gave a big thumbs down to the Federal Budget, and the decision to continue to freeze Medicare rebates. It’s very clear that the Federal Government’s only interest has been to try and neutralise health as an election issue and to minimise allocating additional resources until as close to the next election as possible. We have seen the impact of that lack of vision in soaring hospital demand and increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients. We will continue to speak strongly on this issue.
Finally, I do want to refer again to the issue of marriage equality. We know some members have objected to our decision to champion the cause of marriage equality. However, we again remind members that this is a health issue.
Following the leadership of the AMA, a number of other Colleges and associations have followed suit. The five major mental health organisations also joined together after reviewing the evidence. They found that reducing inequality would save lives – and that is something the AMA should always promote. AMA (NSW)’s video which features seven past AMA Federal Presidents has been viewed on social media nearly 30,000 times. If you have not seen the video, you should watch it at www.facebook.com/amansw.
Finally, I would like to wish all of our members a safe and happy festive season and a wonderful 2018. We value the support that each and every one of you give to us. You inspire us all to make the health system better for your patients, and for doctors now and in the future.