Australian Medical Association - Tasmania

13/01/2026

A shorter offload target won’t fix a log jammed hospital system. Real solutions start with planning, funding and workforce.

https://www.ama.com.au/clear-the-hospital-logjam

The Australian Medical Association has warned that Tasmania’s ambulance ramping targets are “unrealistic and unsafe” despite government claims of success 👉 https://bit.ly/455r0po

13/01/2026

Tasmania’s health system is under real pressure and families deserve clarity, safety and care they can trust. Our OpEd in today’s The Mercury Newspaper highlights why substituting one profession for another won’t fix access issues, and how doing so risks fragmenting care and undermining both. Healthcare works best when every profession is supported to do the work they are trained for and when collaboration, not substitution, is at the heart of the system.

Hobart Mercury - 2026-01-13

13/01/2026

The AMA Tasmania continues to call on both the Federal and State Governments to address the National Health Reform Funding Agreements and work together to clear the hospital logjam. Unless we confront the causes of this gridlock, no change to transfer‑of‑care rules will make meaningful difference. Recent claims that ambulance offload times have improved tell only part of the story.

“Of course, we want ambulances back on the road doing the job they’re meant to do, but at what cost if the hospitals behind them are still gridlocked? What happens after a patient is handed over matters just as much.”

“Clinically, it is like adding to a chronic obstruction; the system is backed up, under pressure and unable to clear, with nowhere for patients to go next.”

The AMA Tasmania continues to call on both the Federal and State Governments to address the National Health Reform Funding Agreements and work together to clear the hospital logjam. Unless we confront the causes of this gridlock, no change to transfer‑of‑care rules will make meaningful differenc...

10/01/2026

During Intern Orientation Week last week, the AMA Tasmania had the privilege of connecting with our new PGY1 interns kickstarting their medical journeys at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, and Northwest Regional Hospital.

This is such an exhilarating time for our newest members of the medical profession! The AMA Tasmania President Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, Vice President Dr Meg Creely, dedicated colleagues including from Drs4Drs Tasmania and our Tas team warmly welcomed these talented individuals, sharing the many benefits of joining the largest independent professional association for medical practitioners and students in Tasmania and wishing them all the best for their exciting career ahead.

Now you're a doctor - the AMA is for YOU.

To become a part of the AMA Tasmania, join us here: https://www.ama.com.au/tas/join-the-ama

10/01/2026

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting the four of you on Wednesday and want to wish you every success in your training over the next two years and beyond. We're excited to see where this next stage of your journey takes you all!🩺

🏥 The Regional Training Hub (RTH) welcomes our new interns starting at the North West Regional Hospital as they start their journey as junior doctors in (what we think) is the best part of Tasmania!

🩺 Please join us in congratulating them as they build on their many years of study as doctors caring for patients in our community.

🌟 The RTH looks forward to helping them achieve their goals in their future career pathways in regional Tasmania.

31/12/2025

It’s been a busy few weeks for the AMA Tasmania team as we prepare to welcome the incoming cohort of intern doctors next week.

Beginning your internship is an exciting milestone & it’s completely normal for it to feel a little overwhelming. Asking questions is part of the journey, and it will continue throughout your entire career.

When you meet the AMA Tasmania team next week, you’ll be connecting with doctors who have stood exactly where you are now. Over time, they often become trusted colleagues, mentors, and an ongoing source of support.

We’re pleased to be launching our new Intern Guide and inviting interns to participate in our year‑round webinar series, developed by junior doctors who have stood where you are, to provide practical, peer‑driven insights during your first year.

Our team will be on site at three locations around the State ready to answer questions, offer guidance, and yes… provide some much‑needed brain fuel.

To learn more about AMA Tasmania or to join us, visit: https://www.ama.com.au/tas/join-the-ama

We look forward to meeting Tasmania’s newest medical professionals and supporting you as you take this next important step. NOW YOU'RE A DOCTOR - THE AMA IS FOR YOU!

24/12/2025

The AMA Tasmania welcomes the acquisition of the Hobart Private Hospital by Calvary Health Care in Hobart - Lenah Valley and St John’s Hospitals - https://www.calvarycare.org.au/news-and-events/news/calvary-to-acquire-hobart-and-holmesglen-private-hospitals

This is good news for private patients who want access to private beds and a choice of doctors. However, we are deeply concerned about the potential restriction of lawful medical procedures in the private hospital sector as a result.

The AMA Tasmania welcomes the acquisition of the Hobart Private Hospital by Calvary. This is good news for private patients who want access to private beds and a choice of doctors. However, we are deeply concerned about the potential restriction of lawful medical procedures in the private hospital s...

24/12/2025

A new walk-in mental health support centre has opened on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, offering free services to young Tasmanians struggling with depression, anxiety and loneliness 👉 https://bit.ly/490EAeB

19/12/2025

Following pressure from the AMA, MBS Item 11714 will be claimable by GPs from 1 March 2026. This means that GPs will have the same access to the existing MBS ECG, trace and clinical note item, as non GP specialists.

18/12/2025

Have you made your list… and checked it twice?
Before you switch to holiday mode, make sure you’ve ticked off your Festive Health Checklist so you can enjoy a safe, happy and healthy break:

✅ 1. Prepare your care
Get any prescriptions filled and finalise any urgent follow-ups—including blood tests, scans, or anything else you need for your ongoing care.

✅ 2. Check holiday operating hours
Your usual doctor or healthcare provider may have different hours over the holidays, so check before you need them.

✅ 3. Know your options
If you need immediate non-emergency care, know what’s available near you:
· Medicare UCCs (open with extended hours over the festive period)
· Community pharmacies for common ailments, illnesses and prescriptions
· Care@home virtual care service, available throughout the holidays to support respiratory and other illnesses

✅ 4. Not sure what to do?
Contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222 any time. Registered Nurses are available 24/7 to provide expert advice and guide you to the right care.

💚 Take care of your health now, so you can spend your holidays on what really matters.

🔗 To know more about your treatment options in Tasmania, visit www.health.tas.gov.au/rightcare

17/12/2025

Huge congratulations to all the Year 5 students at the Rural Clinical School! Today is a big day, you’ve worked hard, stayed strong, and now you’re ready for the next step in becoming incredible doctors. Welcome to the next part of your journey.

🌟Class of 2025 Graduates 🌟
A very proud day for the team at RCS to see our Year 5 students graduate. They will be wonderful doctors, and we can't wait to see where their journey takes them!
🩺

15/12/2025

The Australian Medical Association is shocked and dismayed by the violent terror attack committed last night during a celebration of Hanukkah at Bondi.

Doctors across the country are horrified by these deplorable attacks and have expressed their deep sorrow for all the victims and their families.

We are so deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the injuries inflicted on so many people who were innocently celebrating at a Hanukkah event.

This is an incredibly challenging time for the first responders and healthcare workers who have been confronted with the impacts of this attack. We stand by to offer our support to them as they deal with those impacts.

We stand by our Jewish communities as they, with our support, deal with the immediate impacts and the aftermath.

We condemn violence and hatred and the division these kinds of attacks seek to sow. We condemn terrorism, and we stand with all those who are calling for a safe Australia, free of division and persecution.

If people need to talk, there is help available, including for doctors through the Drs4Drs service.