Australian Medical Association - Tasmania

31/10/2024

Today, with the help of Drs4Drs Tasmania and the instigation of one very dedicated doctor we hosted our first casual morning tea for retired doctors, providing a welcoming space to reconnect.

We were extremely fortunate to be joined by Dr. Ruth Kearon, Head of the Tasmanian School of Medicine, who shared updates on the school, and AMA Tasmania CEO Lara Giddings, both of whom thoroughly enjoyed the morning and welcomed discussions on ways retired doctors can continue contributing to the medical community. It is vital for doctors to have a rounded life with other interests outside of medicine, and to nurture relationships outside of work. There are plans afoot for another gathering in February in Hobart and one in the north as well so watch this space.

31/10/2024

21/10/2024

The latest AMA Specialist Trainee Health Check is released today showing some improvement in the medical trainee experience for trainees, and some areas still in need of improvement.

Read the full report: https://www.ama.com.au/articles/2023-ama-specialist-trainee-experience-health-check

21/10/2024

We’re switching off our social media for 24hrs on 24 Oct to help send a message to social media platforms that they need to stop allowing harmful content to be seen by young people.

Join in with the hashtag

20/10/2024

The Department of Justice is raising awareness about recent changes to Tasmania's guardianship and administration laws. Scan the QR code for more info from TASCAT.

18/10/2024

Great evening at our annual AMA Parliamentary Dinner! Tasmania doctors had open discussions with local MPs on all areas of healthcare. Reach out to our team at anytime for any policy, advocacy feedback, or employment issues.

11/10/2024

The Tasmanian government's recent decision to restrain the expansion of the Royal Hobart Hospital's (RHH) emergency department is yet another reminder of the ongoing challenges of redeveloping an old site.

Despite millions spent, the physical and financial constraints of rebuilding from the inside out on the current site are morale-crushing and unsustainable. The underground location, combined with cost blowouts, continues to hinder progress and, in some cases, care.

This issue is not new. In the 2000s, the decision to upgrade the RHH or build a new hospital was heatedly and extensively debated. The plan for a new facility at Macquarie Point was abandoned, and the global financial crisis was blamed, leaving Tasmania with outdated infrastructure.

The Tasmanian government's recent decision to restrain the expansion of the Royal Hobart Hospital's (RHH) emergency department is yet another reminder of the ongoing challenges of redeveloping an old site. Despite millions spent, the physical and financial constraints of rebuilding from the inside o...

09/10/2024

05/10/2024

Relying on locums to fill gaps is not sustainable. The AMA Tasmania is concerned that states are competing with each other for locums.

"We're seeing an unsustainable rise in the cost of employing locums both in the junior medical workforce, what we'd call the mid-level which is your registrar, and also your specialists," Dr Lumsden-Steel said. "Our hospitals are scrambling to fill jobs because all the other doctors have been snapped up.

"And then we get who we can get, or even have to recruit from overseas, and that's not a sustainable solution." He said the high turnover of locums impacted hospital staff morale and made providing continuity of care more difficult for patients.

The issue is not unique to Tasmania's health system. "It's hard, because the other states are facing a similar reliance on locums too," he said. "So, knowing that, how do we pitch ourselves to be the preferred employer, what conditions do we put in place? "That's got to be really led by the senior people in the hospitals."

As Tasmania's health system continues to face critical staffing issues, the government has ramped up its reliance on locums — who are paid more, but have fewer workplace entitlements.

25/09/2024

We welcome the Australian Government's $120 million commitment to the Northern Heart Centre at Launceston General Hospital. This vital project will improve cardiac care and health outcomes for patients in northern Tasmania, addressing the region's high rates of cardiovascular disease.

It is an understatement to say that the AMA and its membership are overjoyed and relieved by the Prime Minister's announcement today. After a period of uncertainty, the confirmation that this vital project will finally move forward with Federal government support is a significant relief for our doct...

25/09/2024

Great initiative: As part of Mental Health Week Tasmania, the historic Nurses Quarters at New Norfolk will be open to the public. This is a rare chance to explore a nearly 200-year-old site that was central to mental health care in Australia.

OPEN DAY
Explore Willow Court Nurses Quarters During Mental Health Week Tasmania!
We’re pleased to announce that the Nurses Quarters will be open for self-guided tours throughout our Open Day, as part of our Mental Health Week Tasmania events. You are welcome to explore this amazing 1913 historic building, which once hosted the nurses who worked on the Willow Court precinct. This is a great opportunity to see the inside of this significant heritage-listed building as it stands today.
Event Details:
Dates: October 12 (10am-4pm)
Entry: FREE EVENT
Booking: Spaces are limited! Secure your spot via the TryBooking link in our bio
Don't miss this unique chance to wander through a significant Heritage-listed building and discover its rich history. We look forward to welcoming you. Siisters xo

https://mhct.org/what-we-do/community-engagement/mentalhealthweek/

24/09/2024

'Not a nice-to-have' for patients, doctors say. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said it was "seriously disappointed" by the government's decision not to fully fund the project and patients deserved better.

AMA Tasmania president Michael Lumsden-Steele said the cardiac centre was the number-one project in the north of the state and should have been funded.

"This is a critical service that was desperately needed … it isn't an optional extra. It is not a nice-to-have," he said.

"To not have it funded now is a kick in the guts, and to be honest this is breaking the confidence that the doctors and other staff have in both the [Health] Department and the Tasmanian government." Read more here -

The Liberals promised $120 million over five years for a new cardiac centre for the state's north at the Launceston General Hospital, but last week's state budget revealed no funding allocation for the project.

24/09/2024

The closure of the Snug Medical Centre following Dr Robert Hamilton's retirement highlights a growing concern about access to general practitioners in Tasmania and whether we've made general practice too difficult for doctors. With two GPs temporarily working from the Snug retirement village and hopes for a new facility in Margate next year, many patients are left without easy access to care. Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, President of the AMA Tasmania, spoke with Leon Compton yesterday about the GP growing shortage in Tasmania.

While the state's "GP NOW" Rapid Response Team might provide short-term relief, the issue raises questions about whether increasing administrative burdens, lower remuneration, and the challenges of running a practice, particularly in regional areas, are doctors being driven away from general practice. Listen here -

Why the closure of Snug Medical Centre highlights the need for Tasmanian government's new rapid response GP team.

16/09/2024

Our members have been left feeling devasted that not one dollar has been allocated to their number one project in the north of the state. This project was announced during the election as a critical health service for northern and north west Tasmanians.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Health Minister Guy Barnett made bold commitments to the project, citing Tasmania's high incidence of cardiovascular disease and the need for urgent, life-saving services.

In March this year, Premier Rockliff stated, "heart disease is more prevalent in Tasmania than anywhere in Australia, and it is our state's biggest single cause of death... this Heart Centre will deliver more expert cardiology services from diagnostics to procedures to extra ward beds – giving patients and families the very best care possible."

Minister Barnett echoed these sentiments, saying the centre would save lives, promising a new coronary care unit with 16 inpatient beds, additional coronary care unit beds, and two cardiac catheter labs.

These promises were never made on the basis that funding would be contingent on the Federal government matching the State government's contribution.

The AMA Tasmania is seriously disappointed with the Tasmanian government's failure to deliver on its election promise to fund a $120 million Northern Heart Centre. Our members have been left feeling devasted that not one dollar has been allocated to their number one project in the north of the state...

16/09/2024

AMA Tasmania is very concerned about Senator Tammy Tyrrell's recent opinion piece in The Hobart Mercury, in which she argues against the new Tasmanian restrictions on va**ng. She claims that the changes will make it harder for people to quit smoking. In contrast, the medical evidence from across the world is that va**ng does not reduce smoking. In fact, it is a gateway for smoking in our impressionable youth.

AMA Tasmania is very concerned about Senator Tammy Tyrrell's recent opinion piece in The Hobart Mercury, in which she argues against the new Tasmanian restrictions on va**ng. She claims that the changes will make it harder for people to quit smoking. In contrast, the medical evidence from across the...

12/09/2024

Today is RUOK Day, but every day is a good day to ask someone RUOK? Worried how to ask and what to do

Remember:
❓Ask
🦻🏻Listen
💪🏻Encourage action
🔙Check in

Visit https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask for more. We're all trying to get by, and you could make a big difference by asking RUOK?

12/09/2024

While our health budget includes investments for election promises, it offers little additional support for existing services facing growing demand. Despite this, health services are still subject to cuts, with $134.9 million in savings required over the next three years. Additionally, the 1.7% funding increase from this year to the next is below inflation, leading to further cuts on top of existing efficiency measures. Any cuts to the struggling health system are unaffordable.

AMA Tasmania notes the health budget provides for new investment to pay for election promises, but not much more for existing services that are struggling to deal with growing demand pressures. Health services are not immune from cuts as the Department of Health will have to find $134.9 million in s...