It has been another incredibly busy month for CDT! As the year is winding down, we're prepping for a busy and purposeful 2023!
CDT had its first in-person meeting since the pandemic on the 19th and 20th of November in Canberra. It was fantastic have representatives from our state and territory AMAs to discuss issues facing doctors in training.
Our CDT meeting held in the Federal AMAs office in Canberra covered issues affecting doctors in training including flexibility in training, the Bonded Medical Program, GP training and workforce, and prevocational and unaccredited trainees. It was an opportunity to reflect on our many accomplishments such as our advocacy for doctor wellbeing, our contribution to the National Medical Workforce Strategy, GP employment reform, and psychosocial safety.
We heard presentations from Professor Susan Wearne and Mr Martin Rocks from the Department of Health and Aged Care on the National Medical Workforce Strategy, growing the GP workforce, and prevocational placement programs. AMACDT is proud to have a close and productive relationship with the Department of Health, and we value the opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with Professor Wearne and Mr Rocks. Through the presentation we found areas of collaboration where AMACDT can meaningfully contribute to the Australia's national health policy in the future.
AMACDT also conducted operational planning for 2023 and recommitted advancing actions and advocacy on doctor wellbeing, progression through training, and prevocational and unaccredited training. Facilitated by our fantastic former CDT Chair Dr Hash Abdeen, the Council conducted a SWOT analysis of our previous work and future opportunities and drew up a draft operational plan.
It is clear that AMACDT is a valued and powerful voice in Australian medical policy, and through our continued advocacy we can create positive change for junior doctor outcomes nationwide. We look forward to collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to embed psychosocial safety within standards and legislation, call for postvention policies, raise awareness for doctor wellbeing, call for accessible and genuine flexible training and work, ensure sustainability and value of the GP workforce, advocate for CPD homes that support doctors in training, and ensure that the National Medical Workforce Strategy is meaningfully implemented.
I want to thank everyone who has contributed to our work this year as it is the input from doctors in training and medical students from around the country that gives AMACDT such a strong and well-informed voice. I'd especially like to thank my Deputy Co-Chairs Dan and Elise, our AMACDT representatives, the incredible AMACDT secretariat and everyone in our AMACDT special interest groups and advisory committees. We have a lot to be proud of and an exciting year ahead!
Enjoy the sparkly season!
Hannah
