AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen provides members with the latest from the national AMA.
Happy Friday, and welcome to 2026!
I know we're a few weeks into it, but surely "Happy New Year" lasts until February.
Firstly, I'd like to extend a particular welcome to our new interns. I'm sure we all remember the mix of excitement and trepidation, stepping on to the wards for the first time with our "Dr" title proudly in place.
Remember, your intern year is still one of learning and growth. We don't expect you to know everything, and there are a number of supports available for the tough days. We were all new once too.
Over the holidays I had a bit of practice feeling new - I tried my hand at skiing in South Korea ... and in news that won't surprise my friends, I didn't magically find coordination and athleticism on the slopes. By the end of day one I was crying, terrified, and pretty sure I never wanted to hit the slopes again.
But I had booked (and paid for) four days of skiing, so the next morning, a bit stiff and bruised, I got those boots on again. By the end of day two I could see how this might be fun and by day three, I'll admit I actually enjoyed the peacefulness of having a freshly groomed slope all to ourselves for a night run.
So it goes with internship - with some great instructors and a few good friends around, you will get the hang of it and soon it will be fun.
To the rest of you, I hope you managed to get a bit of time to relax and recharge, ready for what will be a bumper year. And to those who worked through the holidays - thank you! (And I hope you've booked some leave in).
2026 won't be easy. The challenges we faced last year remain. Chronic disease, workforce shortages, and system sustainability are not yesterday's news - they are today's priorities, and they will shape our agenda for the year ahead.
But I am optimistic. We have one of the world's best healthcare systems, and it is worth protecting. Every challenge is an opportunity for us to advocate, innovate, and lead.
This year, we will:
- Push for real progress on clearing the hospital logjam through improved hospital funding and capacity, so our public hospitals can deliver the acute, lifesaving care Australians deserve.
- Champion reforms in general practice, including a modernised Medicare and better support for GPs providing complex and preventive care.
- Continue to support doctors in training to have a flexible, rewarding career and access the education, training and supports they need as the future of our health system.
- Defend the independence and integrity of our profession, ensuring doctors' voices are heard in every forum.
- Continue our campaigns for public health, from vaccination to chronic disease prevention, and the support of our colleagues.
- Strengthen our community, keeping members connected and engaged, and ensuring every member's voice counts in shaping our advocacy.
I'm excited to say that we start the year with a win! GPs from 1 March can again claim MBS item 11714 for twelve-lead ECG tracing with a clinical note ( see more on this story in Rounds ).
However, some urgent issues remain unresolved.
These include a new National Health Reform Agreement. Time has run out and no longer can the new agreement be kicked down the road. It's time for the state and federal governments to return to the negotiating table. We are calling for an investment of at least $34.7 billion over the next five years in the new hospital agreement.
And in the private space, media reports this week portray private insurers and private hospitals at loggerheads over calls for a private national efficient price. This highlights the pressing need for an independent, well-resourced private health system authority to provide whole-of-system oversight.
Our latest Private Health Insurance Report Card shows a sector in need of reform with consumers abandoning gold-tier policies and questioning the value of other policies while insurers are making huge profits.
We expect that doctors' fees will face further attack and we stand ready to fight for clinical autonomy, and the right to set a fair and reasonable fee for our services. Doctors can't be blamed for the underfunding of public hospitals and insurance products under-delivering to their customers.
I encourage you to stay involved - share your stories, your feedback, and your passion. Our strength is in our unity and our willingness to face tough issues head-on, with honesty and optimism. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
Thank you for your commitment and resilience. Here's to a year of advocacy and action.
