The NSW Dr Autumn 2024 - Voice of the Profession

VOICE OF THE PROFESSION

By maintaining a strong and ongoing presence on mainstream and social media AMA (NSW) ensures that the association remains firmly at front of mind as the state’s peak body for doctors. We’d like to thank all the doctors who have contributed to our media coverage in recent months.

Bureau of Health Information quarterly figures released in March showed record demand on the state’s health system in the period between October 1 and December 31. Dr Michael Bonning was quoted widely on tv, radio, print and online reiterating the message that an urgent injection of funds is needed in the upcoming budget to save our crumbling health system.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson was quoted in The Australian calling for an independent body to conduct a review of the remuneration arrangements between private health insurers and private hospitals to ensure the viability of the sector.

Dr Bonning reminded patients on tv and radio to keep up regular GP checks and not to rely solely on advice from pharmacists as the pharmacy-prescribing trial is expanded in NSW.

Lismore

AMA (NSW) to James Valentine on ABC 702 to mark the second anniversary of the devastating floods in her area. Dr Velovski made some strong points about the need for greater government support for health providers, particularly GP practices in the wake of natural disasters.

IN THE NEWS

Across the media Dr Bonning again explained that the health system is log jammed because there are not enough resources being provided to deliver the surgical care people need and that funding ratios between state and federal governments need to be fixed.

The AMA called for restrictions on social media posts pushing a harmful message about tanning. The messaging harks back to the bad old days of using sun tanning accelerators and false claims that sun exposure and tanning are healthy.

In the Sydney Morning Herald Dr Bonning commented on the appointment of a 20-member panel to guide the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare saying he would have liked to have seen more perspectives from frontline health workers.

As February rolled around Dr Bonning did a series of interviews on payroll tax which drew this response from Premier Chris Minns who, as reported in The Daily Telegraph called additional payroll tax charges on GPs “a massive new tax”. The premier stated “We’re having good conversations with those organisations and peak bodies and we’re going to make sure that bulk billing and GP access by the general community is available to the people of NSW.”

Over summer Dr Bonning spoke about a spike in mycoplasma pneumonia or “Walking pneumonia”. High rates of ED admissions for children with pneumonia was addressed again in February in The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).

Western Sydney GP Dr Kean-Seng Lim spoke on ABC News Breakfast about bulk billing and the shortcomings of Medicare.

On Channel Nine fellow Western Sydney GP Dr Ken McCroary reassured Sydneysiders that the risk of contracting asbestos related health complications from mulch was low.

AMA (NSW) President Dr Michael Bonning joined forces with the Road Trauma Support Group for a highly successful campaign picked up by all major media called “Speak Up and Step In to Save Lives”. The campaign urged everyone to step in and stop a drunk/impaired/tired driver before they get in the car.

AMA (NSW) is always looking for informed spokespeople. If there is a subject on which you feel confident to be called on to speak about please email magazine@amansw.com.au