Current News!

The Lounge is now available for AMA Members at special rates.

The Lounge allows you to mix business and leisure. There are a great variety of work zones, from private meeting rooms to work stations and open-planned meeting areas; all supported with free access to wireless broadband. With The Lounge's free-flowing hospitality and a relaxed ambience, you'll also find plenty of room to catch up and be entertained.

The AMA is proud to offer its members significantly reduced rates to Virgin Blues The Lounge.

Joining Fee: $0.00 (Save $199)

Annual Fee: $269 (Save $100 per year)

To take advantage of this great AMA rate please email memberservices@ama.com.au or call 1300 133 655 with your full name details and Velocity membership number handy. If you do not have a Velocity membership number please join (free membership) first by clicking here.

For more information on Virgin Blues The Lounge please see their website

AMSA make submission to the Federal Government: More money for intern places!

1st Feb 2010: The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) calls on the Government and relevant stakeholders to unite with medical students to address the pending disaster in medical education. The Government's own report into Medical Education in Australia has highlighted the urgent need for concrete solutions to the problems facing medical education today. Click here to see full media release.

Not enough Intern places for Doctors in NSW, will Tasmania follow their lead?

18th Jan 2010: The Australian Medical Association has warned a failure by NSW to increase funding for intern places will derail a federal initiative to increase doctor numbers just as it is about to bear fruit. In 2003 the Federal Government lifted the cap on medical student enrolments to deal with the chronic shortage of doctors in the country. As a result, the government's Medical Training Review Panel predicts, the number of medical graduates from NSW universities will increase 35 per cent to almost 1028 by 2012. But almost a third will miss out on internships, based on the 665 places offered this year. Click here for the full article.

AMA National Conference in Sydney 28th and 29th May.

The AMA National Conference will be held in Sydney from Friday 28 to Saturday 29 May 2010.

All medically-minded eyes and ears will be on the AMA National Conference as committee reports and suggestions are converted into policy in the Rudd Government's health reform agenda.

The AMA is the only independent, professional body representing the interests of all doctors and patients nationally. The AMA's 27,000 members represent all sections of the medical profession - GPs, specialists, doctors in training, medical students, researchers and academics - from all States and Territories.  More than 200 of the AMA's most respected member delegates will gather at the National Conference.

The Conference, with the theme, 'Doctors - no substitute!', will focus on some of the most important changes to health policy in a generation as the Government's various committees, commissions and inquiries convert to policy. In this time of change, the AMA National Conference is a great opportunity for members to have a say in setting the Association's policy agenda  at a critical time in the health debate.

All AMA members are invited to take part in this premier event on the AMA calendar.

Further Information

National Conference Co-ordinator, Tania Goodacre, 02 6270 5481 or tgoodacre@ama.com.au

AMA Tas Website hits 40,000 unique visitors in 09

6th Jan 10: With all the activity last year such as the Salaried doctors IR agreement negotiations and the membership recruitment drive, additional media and lots of issues the AMA website chalked up an amazing 40,000 unique visitors, 80,000 hits 09.

AMA Office opens for 2010

4th Jan 2010: Monday morning the office opened again for business. We are now ready and refreshed to receive your renewals, address you concerns in IR and contribute to the public debate on the health sector. March the 20th this year is expected to be the State Election and now is the time to raise issues and suggestions to ensure we are publically stating our position on improvements in health for all Tasmanians. See the calendar on this website for events and meetings throughout the year. Happy New Year.

AMA Renewal time

17th Dec 2009: Renewal notices for the calendar year 2010 have been sent and with an increased membership we are encouraging every member to pay by Direct Debit, salary deduction or the full amount as quickly as possible. Services and voting rights will end early in the new year. Call the CEO Tony Steven if you need to discuss anything at all. Click here for a blank renewal form.

 

RHH plumbs new depths of dysfunctionality and there is worse to come.

15th Dec 2009: The Royal Hobart Hospital's status as a teaching institution is now in question with the Hospitaladministration's failure to ensure the accreditation of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit's program for specialist training. The RHH looks like being the first ever tertiary teaching hospital in Australasia to have its training status withdrawn by Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This is a dismal result for those doctors currently training in the specialty but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Media Release in Full

 

The People's Debate

Bartlett - Hodgman - McKim (Tuesday evening 1st Dec.)

To be held Tuesday the 1st December at the Federation Concert Hall Hotel Grand Chancellor 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Tickets available free to AMA Tasmania members by e-mailing or calling Tony Steven at AMA Tasmania. Click here for more information.

AMA Tasmania on FACEBOOK

24th Nov 2009: AMA Tasmania now has a page on Facebook, All members and supporters are welcome to link up and stay in touch with the AMA. Participate discussions, connect with friends and keep to date with current news. We will also post a few photos, so spread the word.

New Benefit for AMA Members - MIMS

11th Nov 2009 MIMS Australia is a leading supplier of quality, independent medical information to Australian healthcare professionals. Developed and enhanced over the past 40 years, MIMS offers medicine information via print, PDA, CD, online, or integrated with your clinical software.

If you would like to know more details about the above MIMS products, then please contact MIMS Client Services: 02 9902 7770 or Toll Free: 1800 800 629 or the MIMS website (this is linked to www.mims.com.au)

AMA and MIMS are proud to offer AMA members a 30% discount on all MIMS products.  

Please see www.ama.com.au/mims for prices and how to order.

National Registration and Accreditation Scheme - Bill C

On the 6th October 2009, a Bill establishing the national scheme was tabled in the Queensland Parliament as the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Bill 2009 (the national law). The tabling of this Bill is a significant step towards achieving the national scheme.

Each jurisdiction is now responsible for tabling state or territory specific legislation that adopts the national law. The Minister has released for comment the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania) Bill 2009 and the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2009. Together, these Bills set out the bulk of the provisions that will enable the national scheme to commence in Tasmania. 

Copies of each of the Bills are now available on the Department's website at http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au. then go to News & Media and click on National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Health Professionals - Tasmanian Legislation.

Accompanying the Bills on this site is a document explaining the effect of each of the terms of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania) Bill 2009.

Please note that you are invited to provide feedback and comments on the Bills by close of business on Monday, 26 October 2009 by emailing ots.mailbox@dhhs.tas.gov.au.

The 2009 industrial agreement has been successfully negotiated.

19th October 2009: The 2009 industrial agreement for salaried medical practitioners working in Tasmanian public hospitals has been successfully negotiated   by AMA Tasmania.

After a somewhat lengthy and intense process, agreement has been reached between the parties and approved by an overwhelming majority of AMA members working in the public sector. The AMA appreciates the government's position as it had to balance the opposing imperatives of maintaining restraint on public sector wage expenditure in the current financial climate while preserving the sustainability of public hospitals by being able to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of high quality medical staff.

The current agreement has successfully managed to maintain government wages policy and at the same time produce a salary package for both junior and a specialist doctors working in the public hospital system that is broadly competitive with other States. AMA Tasmania is optimistic that this new wages deal will enable those hard-working doctors already employed in the public system to be able continue to do just that and that it will also assist with attracting appropriately qualified medical staff to fill currently outstanding vacancies. The agreement is yet to be formally signed off but the AMA is hopeful that this will be achieved prior to Christmas this year.

Newspaper articles: Examiner Click here. Mercury Click here.

Public Hospitals Report Card Released

14th October 2009: The AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2009 is an analysis of the most up-to-date national data on public hospital performance plus more recent feedback from doctors working in public hospitals in all States and Territories. It shows that Australia's public hospitals continue to be seriously under-funded and are struggling to meet growing public demand for their services. People still experience excessive waits in emergency departments and excessive waits for admission to a hospital bed. Waiting times for elective surgery have been getting longer.

Chris Middleton fronts Prime Minister

12 October 2009: AMA Tasmania's President Dr. Chris Middleton attended a question and answer session with the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the LGH on Monday (12 Oct), he advocated the advantages of maximum local control for hospitals and health care facilities. See the Mercury article attched. Click here.

 

The changing face of the healthcare industry - a special event

7th Oct 09 NAB Health and Aequis invites you to join them and a panel of leading healthcare professionals to discuss key findings from our ‘Changing Face of the Healthcare Industry’ report.

The panel will be moderated by a leading cultural anthropologist Dr Barbara West. We look forward to welcoming you at the event, which will provide insights into the challenges and opportunities for the health sector in the coming years. Tuesday, 27 October 2009, 6.00 – 8.00pm, Hobart Function and Conference Centre. Click here

The AMA congratulates Professor Elizabeth Blackburn upon winning the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

Tasmanian-born Professor Blackburn continues a great Australian tradition of high achievement internationally in science and medicine.

Professor Blackburn and her collaborators, Professor Carol Greider and Professor Jack Szostak, won the Prize for ‘discovering how chromosomes protect themselves as cells divide - work that has inspired experimental cancer therapies, and which may offer insights into the ageing process’.

Professor Blackburn is in esteemed company alongside Sir Howard Florey (1945), Sir Frank MacFarlane Burnet (1960), Sir John Carew Eccles (1963), Professor Peter Doherty (1996), and Professor Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren (2005) as an Australian winner of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. Media Release click here.

Membership numbers on the rise!

29th Sept 2009: Since April this year more than 50 new members have joined the AMA in Tasmania. This reflects the interest and enthusiasm of doctors in the industrial agreement negotiations with the State Government and the increased level of involvement in health sector issues by AMA. Issues on the political agenda such as the proposed new registration and accreditation scheme, swine flu, euthanasia, industrial relations and many other smaller issues we discuss with all levels of Government on an ongoing basis. All members are welcome to provide feedback and input to these debates. Just call the CEO on 03 6223 2047.

AMA gives evidence at euthanasia enquiry

24th August 2009: AMA Tasmania President Dr Chris Middleton and Hon. Medical Secretary Prof. Ray Lowenthal appeared before the Joint Parliamentary Enquiry into the Dying with Digity Bill 2009 today. The AMA submission has not yet been released as it remains a priviledged document whilst the enquiry is considering it. AMA Tasmania's position is consistent with that of the Federal AMA. To read click here.

Dr's give Government 3 weeks to get serious

The State Government made an informal EBA proposal to AMA Members on Monday.  AMA TAS (TSMPS) has since met with Doctors across the State culminating in lasts night’s major meeting attended by more than 80 Specialist and Junior Doctors in Hobart. Doctors passed a Resolution urging the Government get serious.  This is an indication of Doctors feeling towards the offer. At 8am today (20/8) the AMA met with Government officers to ensure there is no doubt about what is required to fix Doctors concerns regarding maintaing the public health system in Tasmania.  We have agreed to meet again late next week.

Dr Pesce at the National Press Club

AMA Federal President, Dr Andrew Pesce, addressed the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. Dr Pesce set out some of the priorities he will pursue as AMA President and discussed a variety of issues including: health reform; indigenous health; AMA-government relations; GP Week; GP-led care; rural health; e-health and a proposed long-term care scheme for the catastrophically injured. Read Dr Pesce’s speech click here.

AMA Southern Division re-starts

Tuesday night the 7th July saw the Southern Division of the AMA meet again with the guest speaker being Dr Paul Dunne from Palliative Care leading the discussion on Euthanasia. Speaking from many years of experience he and the meeting generally explored the pros and cons of the Greens Dying with Dignity legislation.

Tony Steven appointed CEO

The President of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Medical Association, Dr. Chris Middleton, today announced the appointment of Tony Steven as the CEO of AMA Tasmania. After acting in the position over the last 3 months, Mr Steven was appointed for a period of two years, having been successful at interview following a formal statewide recruiting process.

Campaign 2009 steps up

Dr Sarah Mansfield, Deputy Chair, AMA Federal Council of Doctors-in-Training, sees the current Enterprise Bargaining activities by AMA Tasmania as a crucial milestone in the State's AMA history. Click here for Sarah's views on the critical importance of Membership, Engagement and Campaign 2009.

Government yet to negotiate on Salaried Doctors agreement

The Industrial Agreement for Salaried doctors in Tasmania expires on the 1st of July 2009 and even at this late stage the State Government yet to commence negotiations with the AMA on the next agreement.

Meetings are being held in all major hospitals statewide as the campaign known at C2009 gets underway in earnest. Please feel free to go the Campaign 2009 (C2009) page for more information.

H1N1 Influenza A 09 (Human Swine Influenza)

The Tasmanian Government's planning for a pandemic website has useful information for most inquiries. Click here. Also, in Tasmania, phone 1800 358 362 (1800 FLU DOC)

Tasmanian Delegates at National Conference

The Tasmanian Branch of the AMA has seven delegates in Melboune attending the AMA Federal Conference along with CEO Tony Steven. This year the Conference features an election for National President amongst other positions. Issues at the top of the agenda include the proposed National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, Swine Flu and Membership Services.

Executive re-elected

At the AMA Tasmania Branch AGM held 2nd May Dr Chris Middleton was re-elected President for 2009/10 along with Prof Ray Lowenthal as Hon Medical Secretary and Dr Bob Walker as Hon. Treasurer. The Aims of the leadership team for the forthcoming year include membership recruitment, the successful negotitaion of the new Salaried Doctors Industrial Agreement and increased activity.

TasTalk to become an E-Newsletter

The AMA Tasmania magazine is to become an HTML presented E-Newsletter providing the opportunity for a wider circulation, easier access and significant savings. Please contact the AMA Tasmania office to register your address to receive the new look magazine.

Salaried Doctors Industrial Claim made

AMA Tasmania as Tasmanian Salaried Medical Practitioners Society has lodged a claim with the Government seeking a new Industrial Agreement that will ensure quality medical services into the next 3 years for the Tasmanian community. Go to the TSMPS page.

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Contact us:

AMA Tasmania State Office
147 Davey Street
Hobart Tas 7000

Tel. 03 6223 2047
Fax. 03 6223 6469
Mob. 0409 219 368

www.amatas.com.au

ama@amatas.com.au

ABN 11 009 484 931

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TasTalk

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