On a roll…somewhat
May 10, 2021
Bringing it home
May 10, 2021
FROM THE CEO
The AMA has been working harder than ever to advance the interests of the medical profession and patients. If you’re not a member now, there’s never been a better time to join.
EVERY YEAR – without fail – we get to May and think ‘how is it halfway through the year already?’
This year, it genuinely feels like the earth is spinning faster.
It has been an incredibly busy start to 2021 for our team at AMA (NSW), as well as our Council and Board.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout has been challenging for our members. Regardless of whether you are receiving the jab, arranging the jab for staff members, or delivering it to patients – there are a lot of logistics to be worked out and questions to be answered.
AMA (NSW) President, Dr Danielle McMullen has been interviewed by media almost daily since 1 Jan (sometimes multiple times a day) about the latest COVID-19 related issue.
Our Council and Board members have also played an active role responding to media queries.
In addition, our representatives have been in regular meetings with Government and other health stakeholders to get the latest updates on this evolving situation.
Meanwhile, our Workplace Relations Team has been working hard to answer all our members’ questions over the phone, through member emails and via webinars.
Some of the topics we’ve covered in webinars include: A COVID-19 Vaccine briefing with NSW Health; Adverse Events reporting; and Rostering and Staffing Arrangements for the COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout.
If you missed these webinars, members can find the recordings on our website at amansw.com.au. Not an AMA member? There has never been a more critical time to join.
By becoming an AMA member, you are helping to support the only medical professional organisation in Australia that has doctors’ interests at the centre of everything we do. We play a pivotal role in developing health policy and actively advocate for you and your patients.
In the last year, AMA has been at the forefront of helping Government with its COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout, we have identified solutions to improve our aged care system, we have focused on fixing the private health insurance system, and we have fought for the extension to temporary COVID-19 Medicare telehealth items. This is just a small sample of our advocacy but it’s indicative of the breadth that we cover.
Why? Because these are the issues that matter to our members and it’s our job to lobby on their behalf.
Some people say the AMA has changed. And I would agree. It has changed because our members have changed. We have an increasingly diverse workforce that has almost equal representation between men and women. Our members have identified an interest in advancing social issues – such as climate change – that have clear implications for human health.
In this edition, we profile two doctors who have been active in the AMA. We hope you enjoy reading about their stories and their advocacy on issues that are close to their hearts.
If you are inspired to join, you can sign up today and start enjoying some of the benefits AMA membership provides immediately.