VICDOC Summer 2023 - Magazine - Page 67
AMA Victoria will continue its focus
on strengthening public health.
In addition to our continuing priorities
of public hospitals, general practice, and
mental health, with a medical workforce
overlay, we will continue our 2023 focus
on diversity, equity and inclusion, most
immediately our campaign to change
the policies of certain colleges excluding
trainees who are on parental leave from
applying to sit and sitting fellowship
examinations. Policy change that allows
all trainees who are on parental leave
to apply to sit and to sit for fellowship
examinations would promote a culture of
inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunity.
The continuing unacceptable rates of
discrimination, bullying and racism faced
by medical practitioners in health services,
particularly international medical graduates
and particularly in regional Victoria, will
also continue to be a focus area.
AMA Victoria will continue its focus on
strengthening public health — advocating
for appropriate vaping regulation and
enforcement, a CBD safe injecting facility,
e-scooter safety and the potential for
cannabis decriminalisation — all of which
remain on our agenda.
Lastly, our focus on the reform of the
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency (Ahpra) will continue. AMA
Victoria has consistently taken a leading
role in advocating for Ahpra reform,
recognising the critical need for enhanced
accountability and transparency. This
commitment will carry into 2024.
In recognition of our consistent and
longstanding efforts, in 2021 Ahpra and
the National Boards commissioned
an Expert Advisory Group to explore
practitioner distress while involved in
regulatory processes. The Expert Advisory
Group made 15 recommendations and
proposed 33 actions in its final report to
Ahpra in 2023. Ahpra has accepted all
recommendations and proposed actions —
and we will remain vigilant in holding
them accountable for implementation
in 2024 and 2025.
This is aligned with our ongoing
advocacy to limit medical registration fees
increases. AMA Victoria, in collaboration
with AMA Federal, has communicated
with the Chair of the Health Ministers’
Meeting and Victoria’s Health Minister,
expressing objections to exorbitant fee
increases, particularly those driven by
initiatives determined by health ministers.
The difficulty of achieving change in Ahpra
does not dissuade us from our sustained
advocacy for fairer, more transparent and
more efficient processes from Ahpra.
2023 has been a busy year and we
anticipate an even busier 2024 as we
continue to advocate for our members,
the medical profession, and the health
of all Victorians.
If you have a policy issue you would
like to discuss, or have feedback about
our advocacy priorities, please contact
our Senior Policy Adviser, Lewis Horton
at LewisH@amavic.com.au.
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