The AMA President and Vice President have spent the week in Western Australia.
Like many parts of Australia, Western Australia is grappling with a deepening health crisis affecting multiple facets of the system.
From private health sector viability, to public hospital logjam and general practice funding - it's clear obtaining investment in the system to the level needed to meet the increasingly complex health needs of the community will remain a challenge.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen and Vice President A/Prof Julian Rait have spent the week in Perth, meeting with doctors and senior leaders of hospitals and GP clinics to witness first-hand the issues playing out in WA.
The sustainability of the private health sector was an area of concern that came up in almost all conversations. This has reaffirmed the AMA's strong commitment to pushing for lasting private health reform so private hospital services are sustainable, and certain services don't become unavailable and leave patients without vital care. To that end, while in Perth we released the private health chapter of our budget submission , calling for a Private Health System Authority and a mandated minimum amount insurers must pay out as a proportion of premiums.
The Presidential team began the roadshow with a visit to RACGP WA to hear about the issues affecting GPs, including workforce challenges, scope creep and funding.
Dr McMullen and A/Prof Rait also toured the St John of God Murdoch Hospital for important discussions about the key issues and opportunities in private health care and to meet with many of the hospital's hardworking doctors.
On a visit to Joondalup Health Campus in Perth's northern suburbs, the current and future challenges for the state's health system were starkly apparent. Senior leaders at the Ramsay-operated hospital shared some of the innovative planning that is underway to meet the increasingly complex health needs of their vast catchment area, which covers Perth's booming northern growth corridor.
Joondalup Health Campus is a good example of a public-private partnership, with an emphasis on scaling up to respond to community need. Meeting with the hospital's doctors and doctors-in-training was a real highlight.
Pictured L>R: Joondalup Health Campus Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Renaud Mazy with AMA CEO Mrs Natalia Centellas; General Manager of Advocacy Mr Luke Toy; AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen; General Manager of Policy Mr Warwick Hough: AMA Vice President A/Prof Julian Rait; JHC Project Director - Redevelopment Mr Vijay Hooda; and me JHC Director of Medical Services Dr Kevin Hartley.
Dr McMullen addressed the AMA WA Council on Wednesday night, providing important updates on national AMA advocacy and hearing about the issues affecting WA members. Dr McMullen and A/Prof Rait also enjoyed a dinner with private specialist members on Tuesday night, and a breakfast with GP specialist members this morning.
AMA WA Council
The AMA team also met with the Australian Indian Medical Association (AIMA) WA to identify opportunities for joint advocacy on a range of issues affecting overseas-trained doctors. Indian doctors make a tremendous contribution to Australia's health system, and the AMA was pleased to have a fruitful conversation with AIMA WA.
A tour of the Fiona Stanley Hospital was the main event on Wednesday with a tour of the facilities and the ability to meet with many doctors, doctors in training, nurses and staff, before rounding out the trip on Friday with visits to multiple general practice clinics and highlighting our asks for greater investment in the Workforce Incentive Program and our broader Modernise Medicare campaign.
