AMA Victoria

12/09/2025

VICDOC Spring is out now!

Some of the features you might enjoy in this edition include celebrating commitment, Dr Sarah Whitelaw on The Pitt and six months of Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff in Victoria.

Start reading here: amav.me/vicdoc

11/09/2025

We are excited to announce our first Paint & Sip with the Women in Medicine - AMA Victoria Committee.

Members, join us on Saturday 18 October at Artbar in Moorabbin for an afternoon of creativity, connection and fun. Bring a friend, enjoy a drink and walk away with your very own artwork.

Tickets are limited to 40 places only – don’t wait to book: https://links.amavic.com.au/widget/form/Rbjo6NASAqJ0KIhLXosj

06/09/2025

Doctors are advocates- not just in hospitals and clinics, but in their communities and on the global stage.

Two recent stories show the breadth of that work by AMA Victoria members.

Assoc Prof Forbes McGain has been featured in Bloomberg News for his leadership in tackling healthcare’s addiction to single-use plastics. His research and advocacy are shaping how hospitals everywhere think about waste, proving that sustainability and patient care can go hand in hand. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-04/the-doctor-fighting-medicine-s-addiction-to-plastic-waste

Closer to home, Dr Ben Tomasiello is fighting to save the Olympic Leisure Centre in Heidelberg West, as covered by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). For many in this community, the pool is much more than a place to swim- it’s a safe and welcoming space, offering programs that foster health, connection, and belonging. Closing it would hit some of Melbourne’s most vulnerable communities the hardest. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-06/doctors-urge-council-to-keep-melbourne-pool-open/105740624

One story is global, the other local. Both reflect what AMA Victoria members do every day: standing up for the health of people and communities, whether driving global change in healthcare or protecting an important local service.

The Australian Medical Association has urged the state government to intervene in a Melbourne council's decision to close a swimming pool, warning of "serious and predictable" health consequences.

06/09/2025

As a registrar, decisions are shared. As a consultant, you are the anchor and the responsibility rests with you. Decision-making is a skill that strengthens with deliberate practice.

Our Decision-Making Workout Plan offers practical tools to help you turn daily experience into expertise and grow confidence in the consultant role.

Explore the resource: amav.me/decision-making-workout-plan

05/09/2025

When doctors feel safe to speak up, teams learn more, make better decisions and provide safer care.

This is the power of psychological safety and why it matters in every healthcare setting.

Read more on psychological safety and our new program: amav.me/creating-psychological-safety

04/09/2025

Congratulations to the outstanding women inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for 2025.

Among the 24 new inductees are AMA Victoria members Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips and Dr Linny Kimly Phuong. Kelly-Anne and Linny have been awarded the title of ‘Change Agents’ for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.

Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips was the first woman to become a Professor of Medical Oncology in Victoria. Her research and advocacy have influenced international health policy, shaped clinical care in breast cancer prevention and treatment and reduced the burden of breast cancer for women and their families.

Dr Linny Kimly Phuong is a respected paediatric infectious diseases physician, researcher, public health communicator and community advocate. In 2011, Linny founded The Water Well Project, a volunteer-led charity providing free, culturally tailored health education to communities from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, reaching more than 30,000 people.

Linny is also the host of AMA Victoria’s The Doctors’ Room podcast - The Leadership Series. In this series, special guests Prof Rob Moodie, Dr Rangi De Silva, Dr Stephen Warrillow, A/Prof Kerryn Ireland-Jenkin, Dr Georgia Behrens and Dr Robyn Silcock discuss a range of themes including introversion, vulnerability, finding your purpose, empowering women and carrying the mental load.

Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ufzz7bmx2XNk6eJPZB8pZ?si=924f1ae375f44211

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-doctors-room-podcast/id1818265251

01/09/2025

Earlier this afternoon AMA Victoria President Dr Simon Judkins (R) and Vice President Dr Geoff Toogood (L) met with Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas MP for a wide-ranging and constructive discussion.

The meeting was primarily focused on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors. We highlighted the new Work Health and Safety obligations that come into effect from 1 December, and discussed how these can serve as one lever to improve culture and safety across health services. Other levers include ensuring appropriate resourcing so doctors are not left working unsafe hours or in chronically understaffed environments, and reducing administrative burden through our Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff campaign.

We also discussed challenges facing particular health services, where doctors have voiced serious concerns around culture, consultation and resourcing. In addition, we spoke about workplace safety in emergency departments- where violence and weapons have become a daily reality for staff, and where the absence of a consistent statewide security framework leaves doctors and nurses exposed. The Minister acknowledged the seriousness of the matters and indicated that further progress is expected to follow.

We thank the Minister for her constructive engagement and look forward to continuing to work together on these issues in the months ahead.

30/08/2025

Stepping into a consultant role means carrying the final call. It can feel both exhilarating and daunting. Decision-making is not innate, it is a skill built through practice, reflection and feedback.

The Decision-Making Workout Plan provides weekly challenges, a decision log, confidence tracking and debrief prompts to help you build this critical skill.

Members can access the resource here: amav.me/decision-making-workout-plan

Not yet a member? Join now to access: amav.me/join

29/08/2025

Psychological safety is essential in healthcare teams, yet it doesn’t happen by chance.

Our new 10-hour CPD program gives doctors practical tools and coaching to build safer, more collaborative workplaces.

Find out more about creating psychological safety at work: amav.me/creating-psychological-safety

28/08/2025

Mentoring a junior colleague is not only professionally rewarding, but can also provide opportunities to gain new perspectives, challenge assumptions and help to expand your professional network.

For your work in assisting junior doctors to navigate uncertainty, build confidence and make informed career decisions, in turn you can receive fresh perspectives on emerging trends and explore generational shifts in technologies.

Interested in getting involved? Express your interest to join AMA Victoria’s Mentoring Program as a mentor today: amav.me/mentoring

26/08/2025

New data from AMAVIC’s property partner, Wakelin Property Advisory points to a significant shift underway in Melbourne’s investment market.

According to Wakelin’s Spring 2025 report, buyers from interstate now account for 57% of investor enquiries a dramatic rise from just 17% in 2022.

While many Victorians remain hesitant, deterred by rising taxes and new rental regulations interstate investors see opportunity.

Download The Melbourne Spring Property Report 2025 for more information: https://wakelin.com.au/the-melbourne-spring-property-report-2025/

24/08/2025

Calling all doctors who have taken protected leave - how is the new Ahpra fee rebate working for you?

From this renewal period, practitioners who have taken more than 6 months protected leave (parental, illness, disability, carer, family violence, other) can access a 30% registration fee rebate. AMA Victoria is collecting feedback on any issues members have encountered. This could include:

· The “six continuous months” requirement
· Leave taken in separate blocks
· Doing keeping-in-touch days or short locum during leave
· Moving to non-practising registration
· Difficulty applying or contacting Ahpra
· Any other concerns

What do you think of the design of the fee rebate policy? What do you think about how it is being implemented? What would you like to see changed in order to increase fee equity? Any other feedback?

Please post your feedback below or send to amavic@amavic.com.au. It will help shape our advocacy.