AMA (NSW)

25/01/2026

WINNERS: Congratulations to four AMA (NSW) members named in today’s Australia Day honours list.
Obstetrician Dr Sue Jacobs, an AMA (NSW) member for 28 years, has been awarded an AM for service to women's health in the fields of gynaecology and obstetrics.
Orthopaedic surgeon, Medical Benevolent Association councillor and AMA (NSW) member for 33 years, Dr Andrew Wines has received an AM for significant service to orthopaedic surgery.
Fifty-year AMA (NSW) member and obstetrician Dr Gordon Campbell has been given an OAM for service to obstetrics and gynaecology, while GP Dr Andrew Kwong, and AMA (NSW) member for 47 years, is also receiving an OAM.
Thank you all for your dedication to our community.

24/01/2026

UNITY: We are pleased to announce that a huge number of interns signed up to AMA (NSW) this week.
Thank you to all those who have joined us. Together, we will continue to improve the health system for doctors and patients.

21/01/2026

DAY OF MOURNING: Tonight, at 7.01pm, Australians are invited to observe one minute of silence to honour the victims of the Bondi beach terrorist attack.
We also acknowledge our health staff across Sydney who treated the injured.

Today’s National Day of Mourning is a moment of grief, reflection and reckoning.

20/01/2026

VALE: We are deeply saddened by the death of Professor Marie Bashir, an AMA (NSW) member for more than 64 years.
Professor Bashir, 95, was an extraordinarily compassionate doctor committed to child psychiatry and indigenous health.
All those who encountered her were left the better for it.
She will not be forgotten.

19/01/2026

O-WEEK: It was fantastic to meet more than 315 newly minted doctors today at Westmead, Hornsby, St Vincent’s and Sydney Local Health District.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to talk to us and learn more about what AMA (NSW) offers and how we can support you throughout your career, with expert, trusted medico-legal, HR and careers guidance advice.
Tomorrow, we will be at Gosford, John Hunter, Liverpool, Nepean and Royal North Shore.
Please come and say hello. We are offering free membership until April this year for interns plus a free two-year Blue Light Card, providing valuable discounts on a range of products.
You can also win an AMA (NSW) prize pack containing plenty of goodies and if you join us before January 27, you’ll go into the draw for a $500 gift card.
You can join here: https://www.amansw.com.au/interns-2026/
Congratulations to Susie Yang (Westmead), Edwin Xu (St Vincent’s), Jacob Sassine (Sydney LHD) and Harrison Khan (Hornsby) for winning today’s prize packs.

16/01/2026

CONGRATULATIONS: Tonight, Chris Farag has taken home the 2025 Medical Student of the Year award, thanks to AMA (NSW) and the NSW Medical Students' Council.
Auston Yu was named as a very worthy runner up.
Both contributed significantly to mentoring, leadership, education, peer support and health equity during their medical studies.
Thanks to all those who attended tonight.

16/01/2026

CALL OF THE COUNTRY: For Dr Sarah Woodford, returning to practise as a trainee general practitioner in Gunnedah is more than a homecoming.
It has given her a deep sense of connection and community, and the ability to give back to the townspeople who raised her.
In the next edition of NSW Doctor, due out in a few weeks, Dr Woodford talks about the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway where she is able to rotate between hospital and general practice under one contract, providing stability and continuity throughout her training - and continuity of care for patients.
Look out for the next edition soon.

14/01/2026

GP WORKFORCE: Thanks to AMA (NSW)'s Dr Michael Bonning for talking to today's Daily Telegraph on the need for Australia to build a strong and sustainable training pipeline for general practitioners.

Australian Medical Association NSW director Michael Bonning said the challenges being faced by the UK health system meant more and more doctors were finding Australia an appealing option.

14/01/2026

NO SURPRISE: This analysis in The Sydney Morning Herald will not surprise those working in the health system.
AMA (NSW) has continually called for proper investment in prevention and primary care, and for general practitioners to be given the time, tools and funding to manage chronic and complex conditions earlier, so patients don’t end up in hospital when they don’t need to be.
We have also called on the Federal Government to increase its funding of NSW hospitals, and invest in aged care and disability services to reduce bedblock.

Ten years ago, the Herald projected the full force of the post-war baby boom would hit Sydney’s health system like a tsunami. But what to do about it now?

11/01/2026

LAUNCH TIME: Next week, 1145 medical interns will start work across NSW. In the first few weeks they will undergo orientation at their allotted hospitals, before starting on the wards.
It’s a daunting time full of challenges, but plenty of support is available.
AMA (NSW) doctor-in-training Alan Pham remembers it well and has some practical advice on workload, imposter syndrome and the value of peer support.
Here is what he wish he knew:
“It’s not always my responsibility to gauge the urgency of each task. However, it is my duty to monitor all jobs, inform my team about updates, and convey what still needs to be done. Imposter syndrome is not something you grow out of. You just get better at managing it, and balance it out with experience, insight, and feedback.
And there is always time for a short break. No matter how crazy things got. Luckily, I had amazing nurses and allied health working alongside me on the ward.”
And tips?
“Every rotation has something new to offer, no matter what speciality you end up in. Absorb and learn everything you can because you never know what might be useful later. Your registrars and consultants are not infallible. They can make mistakes, too, and at times, you may be the one to notice them. Never feel embarrassed about double-checking things for your patients. Just make sure you ask respectfully.”
And remember… “everyone values your input, engagement, and feedback. Reflect on your experiences, document, and share them. Together, our efforts make the system better for everyone, patients and doctors alike.”

09/01/2026

THE HEAT IS ON: It's going to be a scorcher today. Thanks to AMA (NSW) chair of general practice Dr Kenneth McCroary for talking to The Senior on sleeping through the heat.

Here's why it's so important to keep your cool if aged over 60.

02/01/2026

THE STORY OF HIS LIFE: Ben was an ABC journalist when he made the decision to study medicine.
Now, at 51, he's starting 2026 as a medical intern.
"I'm pretty thrilled about being a junior doctor at 51. I am blown away at the momentary connections I get to share with people in the most extraordinary moments of life. I feel a mixture of excitement, pride and exhaustion. It’s been the most stressful and anxiety-ridden episode of my adult life but also such a satisfying achievement."

My transformation was most apparent the day I realised that a digital re**al examination can be life-saving