AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen provides members with the latest from the national AMA.
Isn't it funny how Australia really takes its time warming up to the year? Maybe it's the steamy weather, or the lingering holiday vibes, but January certainly feels like a calmer month than the others.
With the health department barely back to work, there weren't too many meetings this week. Not that I'm complaining - I got all my clinic hours in for a change! I also had the chance to sleep, exercise every day, cook proper meals...all habits that I'm sure we all plan to continue year-round. Let's see how long mine last this year!
Our politicians were back at work early, with the important task of debating strengthened laws in response to the horrific Bondi attack. Like many of you, I was sickened by the attack last month on Jewish Australians who were out celebrating what should have been a time of joy, family, and togetherness. We welcome the passage of these Bills, and the calling of a Royal Commission into antisemitism. After a time of such tragedy, we must look honestly at ourselves, seek out answers, but most importantly, come together in healing and peace to move forward and show the kind of Australia we want to live in.
As doctors, we care for people at their most vulnerable, and so it's incumbent on us to be leaders in the demonstration of inclusiveness, safety, and compassion.
Doctors are also leaders when it comes to public health. In an age where social media misinformation is rampant, and even some well-respected international institutions are backing away from evidence-based medical leadership, I think it is more important than ever that Australia launched our very own Centre for Disease Control on January 1. The AMA was the flag bearer of calling for an Australian CDC, which will help ensure Australia is better prepared for the next pandemic and future health challenges. I'm delighted Professor Zoe Wainer has been announced as its inaugural Director General. She has a long history of involvement in the AMA at state and federal level, and her decades of wise, strong leadership in public health will put us in good stead to face emerging health threats.
One of the items on the agenda for this year is designing the Thriving Kids program announced by government last year to support kids with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism. We kept you up to date last year with my parliamentary inquiry appearance and we have strongly advocated for general practice to be at the heart of this scheme.
A report from that inquiry was tabled two days before Christmas. While we welcome the committee's support for an MBS item to support a child development check, I was disappointed by the lack of recognition of the centrality of general practice for families who face navigating health and education systems for a child who has additional needs. We will keep fighting for GPs, paediatricians and psychiatrists to be recognised as integral to this scheme and ensuring patients get optimum care and the system remains sustainable.
Finally, it is with sadness but profound gratitude that I acknowledge the extraordinary life and commitment to medicine and public service of Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir who passed away this week, aged 95.
Dame Marie, was a member of the AMA for more than 64 years. She was a distinguished psychiatrist and advocate for mental health, education and social inclusion. She was the first woman to be governor of New South Wales and served in that position for 14 years.
As a clinician, academic and advocate, she exemplified the values of compassion, service and leadership that underpin the medical profession. I had the honour of dining with her when I was a medical student, and was struck by her steely determination, but also her warmth in connecting with a group of college students for whom the formality of a Vice-Regal occasion did not come naturally!
Dame Marie has been an incredible example of how doctors make strong but compassionate leaders.
Remember, it's not all about the titles and prominent roles. Each of us, in our daily interactions with patients, have a huge impact on their lives. That is the real privilege of being a doctor, and the one that I hope to champion for the remainder of my term.
Enjoy the long weekend - and a special thank you to those of you who are still there for patients despite the holiday.
