AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 50
REGULAR
FED
FACTS
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Here’s a summary of just
a few of the advocacy
areas being worked
on at AMA Federal.
The AMA was involved in
a number of meetings with
the DoH to inform the
vaccination rollout.
COVID-19 VACCINATION ROLLOUT
GENERAL PRACTICE TRAINING
In the first weeks of 2021, the AMA attended
numerous meetings with the Federal Department
of Health (DoH), the Australian Technical Advisory
Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Therapeutic
Goods Administration (TGA), the Science and
Industry Technical Advisory Group (SITAG) and
other relevant bodies to ascertain as much
information as possible about the vaccination
campaign and communicate this to members.
The AMA was involved in a number of meetings
with the DoH and the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners RACGP to inform the
vaccination rollout, the development of an EOI
document and the remuneration package for
participating GPs and general practices.
In relation to proposed MBS items for
COVID-19 vaccinations, AMA advocacy secured
the inclusion of after-hours items, a double bulk
billing incentive for the first dose, a $10 PIP for
completion of the second dose, and the ability
to co-claim attendances where required.
The AMA also attends weekly GP peak body
meetings with the DoH and has provided extensive
feedback on the EOI document and subsequent
information for practices.
The 2020 update of the AMA Vision Statement
for General Practice Training was released
last December. The updated statement lists
the essential elements that must be in place
to preserve the integrity, accessibility, and
quality of general practice training along the
domains of governance and training, professional
development and learning, funding, and trainee
welfare. It also outlines the need for a sustainable
employment model that makes general practice
training an attractive and viable option
for doctors.
The AMA provided feedback to the General
Practice Training Advisory Committee (GPTAC)
on the discussion paper about the reform of
GP training employment arrangements. In the
submission, the AMA highlighted the single
employer model for GPiTs as being able deliver
GPiTs equitable remuneration and employment
conditions compared to hospital-based trainees
while meeting the needs of supervising practices.
The AMA Federal Council of Doctors in Training
(AMACDT) met with the RACGP President, CEO and
Education General Manager last December. The
purpose of the meeting was to follow-up on issues
stemming from last year’s AKT/KFP examination
failure, particularly issues affecting trainees
such as communication, support for independent
pathway/PEP candidates, special considerations,
and progression through training toward
fellowship. The AMACDT proposed to the RACGP
a number of recommendations based on member
feedback and they appeared receptive and ready
to implement changes.
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AMA + DoH:
AMA VI C TO RIA
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