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doctors4hospitals
26th September, 2008
Victoria’s public hospital doctors offered a new EBA deal by the Victorian Government The Victorian Government has made a second and final offer to AMA Victoria for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement on 22 December 2008. The AMA Victoria Boar...
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Health plan essential to support population increase
25th September, 2008
25 September 2008 AMA Victoria today urged the state government to plan for adequate health services to accommodate Melbourne’s unprecedented population increase. Victoria has experienced the biggest baby boom since 1973, with more...
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Teamwork for peace of mind (Herald Sun, letter to the editor)
24th September, 2008
17 September 2008 Midwives and doctors work together to provide the best care for the patient. Women who choose to give birth in a hospital have the peace of mind knowing they have full access to available resources - including treatment by ...
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The Big Kill: Smoking claims almost 4000 lives every year
10th September, 2008
10 September 2008 A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM VICTORIA’S PEAK HEALTH BODIES Figures released today reveal smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in every local government area in the State, claiming the lives of almo...
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Bendigo doctors slam government EBA inaction
6th September, 2008
6 September 2008 Medical Staff at Bendigo Hospital slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors at a meeting with AMA Victoria this we...
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Practice solutions for doctors
29th August, 2008
29 August 2008 Victorian GPs, specialists, practice managers and Doctors in Training can register now to attend the 5th Private Practice Expo (PPE 08), the most comprehensive showcase of local products and services for medical practices, to be...
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Ballarat doctors slam government EBA inaction
29th August, 2008
29 August 2008 Medical Staff at Ballarat Health Services slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors at a meeting with AMA Victoria y...
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Maroondah doctors slam government EBA inaction
28th August, 2008
28 August 2008 Senior Medical Staff at Maroondah Hospital last week slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors. At the meeting the d...
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Northern doctors slam government EBA inaction
22nd August, 2008
22 August 2008 Senior Medical Staff at the Northern Hospital slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors. At a meetin...
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St Vincent’s doctors slam government EBA inaction
21st August, 2008
21 August 2008 Senior Medical Staff at St Vincent’s Hospital slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors. At a ...
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Western doctors slam government EBA inaction
21st August, 2008
21 August 2008 Senior Medical Staff at the Western Hospital slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors. At a meeting...
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Alfred doctors slam government EBA inaction
21st August, 2008
21 August 2008 Senior Medical Staff at The Alfred Hospital slammed the Victorian Government for its lack of progress in offering a new enterprise bargaining agreement for the state’s public hospital doctors. At a meeting w...
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Doctors welcome tobacco reform plan
21st August, 2008
21 August 2008 AMA Victoria today welcomed the State Government’s Tobacco Control Strategy proposal to ban smoking in cars carrying children. “The effects of passive smoking are harmful, especially to children, and that ha...
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Improving Medical Interactions
8th August, 2008
GP Forum: Improving medical interactions with other health professionals in community practice The AMA Victoria Section of General Practice held a forum on 17 June, Improving medical interactions with other health professionals in community practice.&...
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Victoria lagging behind on tobacco regulation
30th July, 2008
30 July 2008 Victoria is lagging behind on tobacco regulation said AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis today following the NSW Cabinet approval of its ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco’ package. “New South Wales ...
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Conditions worsening, say local doctors
29th July, 2008
29 July 2008 Gippsland doctors called on the State Government to address worsening conditions and low morale at Latrobe Regional Hospital at an AMA Victoria meeting in Traralgon last night. AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis, who...
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Government fails to offer new EBA to hospital doctors
3rd July, 2008
3 July 2008 AMA Victoria is concerned that the enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) between the Victorian Government and public hospital doctors has expired with no new deal being reached. “I’m very disappointed,” ...
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Next steps for tobacco reform
30th June, 2008
30 June 2008 Anti-smoking measures implemented a year ago have proved successful and now it’s time for the State Government to take the next steps in tobacco reform, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis. “V...
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Nice hospital, sorry you won’t be allowed in
25th June, 2008
25 June 2008 The Auditor-General’s report into the new Royal Women’s Hospital is another example of the Victorian Government failing to build enough hospital capacity to meet Victoria’s health needs, according to AMA Victori...
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Brumby blueprint a good start
24th June, 2008
24 June 2008 AMA Victoria today welcomed Premier John Brumby’s health reform plan to address key health concerns including public hospital funding shortfalls, growing waiting lists and increasing need for preventative health programs. ...
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Footy a breath of fresh air (Herald Sun, opinion)
29th May, 2008
For Hawks fans, it was a great game at the MCG on Sunday. For us Demons tragics we left the G licking our wounds but quietly admitting it was a pretty thrilling afternoon. There were other benefits: it gave me a break from work, and it got me ...
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Member Zone
23rd May, 2008
AMA Victoria members now have exclusive 24/7 access to a wealth of information, resources and services important to their practice of medicine. The Member Zone is tailored to meet the special needs of GPs, Specialists/ SMOs, Do...
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AMA Victoria Website
23rd May, 2008
Welcome to the AMA Victoria website. The website is now a more valuable resource for doctors, media and the general public. Community Info AMA Victoria members are doctors committed to improving the health of al...
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Doctors’ enterprise bargaining log of claims released
23rd May, 2008
23 May 2008 The current enterprise bargaining agreement between the Victorian Government and AMA Victoria expires on 30 June 2008. As part of the upcoming 2008 Remuneration Review for doctors in public hospitals, AMA Victoria has se...
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2008 Medical Remuneration Review
23rd May, 2008
“Recruiting and retaining sufficient medical staff to address the needs of the community” Background The Ministerial Review of Medical Staffing has identified the key challenges facing the acute health sector. Low morale, dis...
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Frankston Hospital under pressure
16th May, 2008
16 May 2008 Frankston Hospital is under enormous pressure and locals are missing out on clinically appropriate care, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis, following the release this week of the Your Hospitals report. &nbs...
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Victorian hospitals performance spiralling down
13th May, 2008
13 May 2008 AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis says the Your Hospitals report reveals that our hospitals are failing to provide clinically appropriate care to a growing number of Victorians. ...
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Give active gifts this Mothers’ Day
7th May, 2008
7 May 2008 There’s nothing quite like a lasting and moving gift for mum – and the more lasting and moving it is, the better. That’s the Mothers’ Day message from AMA Victoria this year. With increasin...
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State Budget – prescriptions, outcomes and prognoses
6th May, 2008
6 May 2008 More beds for public hospitals What AMA Victoria sought Improved capacity in Victorian public hospitals with an additional 600 hospital beds over four years ($881.8 million) What the Government has delive...
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State Budget – an opportunity lost, says AMA Victoria
6th May, 2008
6 May 2008 The State Government had squandered a golden opportunity in the State Budget to address crucial health issues, AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, said today. “I’m scoring the Budget as six out of ten,” Dr T...
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Hospital IT deathly ill (The Age, opinion)
6th May, 2008
6 May 2008 There are myriad problems in the delivery of much-needed infrastructure. Picture an average Australian office in the 1970s. There were typewriters and card indexes but most of our work was done by pen and paper or on the phone....
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Doctors expect a hospital care package in the Budget
5th May, 2008
5 May 2008 This week’s State Budget must be a strong statement on the future of Victoria’s public hospital system, according to AMA Victoria. AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, says the State Budget will need to address ...
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Budget savings needed
4th May, 2008
4 May 2008 The State Government must increase core health services and halt the rapid growth of its own central office staff in this week’s state budget, AMA Victoria said today. “With hospital capacity straining to...
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Rural workforce rescue package essential
2nd May, 2008
2 May 2008 AMA Victoria has renewed its calls for the State Government to implement a rural workforce rescue package in next week’s budget to address workforce problems outlined in the Federal Health Minister’s rural health audit. ...
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Government hiding hospital performance figures?
30th April, 2008
30 April 2008 AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis has asked the Government today why it is delaying release of the Your Hospitals report, which details performance data for Victorian public hospitals. The report was due at the end ...
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Doctors encourage families to walk to school on Friday 2 May
28th April, 2008
The Australian Medical Association Victoria is encouraging families to take part in Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 2 May 2008. “This is a great opportunity for parents and children to spend time together while getting the exercise...
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Bad medicine: regional health services in poor shape (Geelong Advertiser, opinion)
16th April, 2008
16 April 2008 Next month's State Budget will reveal the Brumby Government's strength of commitment to rural and regional health care in Victoria. The State’s ailing public hospital system is firmly in the political spotlight, with ca...
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Better health for young men
10th April, 2008
10 April 2008 National Youth Week (5 – 13 April) presents an ideal opportunity for young Australians, particularly young men, to consider their health and th...
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Doctors need better work/life balance
3rd April, 2008
3 April 2008 An AMA report released today shows most doctors want flexible work arrangements to allow them to spend more time with family and friends but AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis says this is out of reach for many Victorian docto...
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Prevention better than cure
27th March, 2008
27 March 2008 AMA Victoria today welcomed the Productivity Commission call for a target of 20 per cent of health care spending to be invested in longer term preventive health care. Commissioner Mr Mike Woods said today that investing...
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Public hospitals on the precipice
26th March, 2008
26 March 2008 The Ministerial Review of Victorian Public Health Medical Staff, released today, confirms the uncertain state of Victoria’s public hospitals, the President of AMA Victoria, Dr Doug Travis, said today. The Rev...
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Doctors welcome preventative health initiatives
18th March, 2008
18 March 2008 AMA Victoria welcomes the State Government’s $600m WorkHealth initiative to fund preventative health screening for Victoria’s 2.6 million workers. “This is a much larger investment than we had anticip...
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Support for new doctors needed
12th March, 2008
12 March 2008 AMA Victoria is urging the Health Minister to channel extra funds and resources into training and supporting Victoria’s new doctors as the State Government moves to double its overseas trained doctor intake over the next s...
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International Women’s Day: a healthy diary date
7th March, 2008
7 March 2008 International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March) presents an ideal opportunity for all Australian women to take a moment to consider their own health, AMA Victoria Vice President Dr Kate Duncan said today. “This ...
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One new GP for half a million new Victorians
20th February, 2008
20 February 2008 The number of general practitioners in Victoria has increased by just one doctor in the 10 years between 1996 and 2006 while the state population rose by more than half a million, government figures reveal. “V...
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MEDICAL MEDIA SNAPSHOTS
27th January, 2008
27 January 2008 New interns on the wards Intern numbers for Victoria’s public hospitals are up 3.5 per cent from 2007 and AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis has congratulated Victoria’s 461 new doctors on their smooth to trans...
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Extra elective surgery funding boost welcomed
16th January, 2008
16 January 2008 AMA Victoria welcomes the State Government’s announcement today to add an extra $25.8m to help clear Victoria’s elective surgery backlog, bringing the total pool of funds - including the federal contribution &...
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New mental health services welcomed
11th January, 2008
11 January 2008 AMA Victoria has welcomed expanded funding for youth mental health services in Victoria, announced by the Federal Government this week. AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said that young people at risk of mental h...
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Health warning in extreme heat
9th January, 2008
9 January 2008 Tomorrow’s temperature is set to spike and AMA Victoria is urging locals to take precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and dehydration over the next few days. AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis says Victorians...
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The case for bariatric surgery (The Age, opinion)
6th January, 2008
6 January 2008 FOR thousands of Victorians who are morbidly obese, bariatric (weight-loss) surgery may be their last option. It is a radical option for a radical problem - but the option is out of reach for many because the surgery is not fun...
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MEDICAL MEDIA SNAPSHOTS
17th December, 2007
17 December 2007 Cooling the aggression AMA Victoria’s submission to the State Government’s amphetamines drug strategy recommends implementing hospital emergency department ‘safe rooms’ to deal with aggressive drug-a...
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Rural medical workforce rescue package
16th December, 2007
16 December 2007 AMA Victoria has called on the Brumby Government to inject $116.5 million over four years as a crucial rescue package to ease Victoria’s rural and regional medical workforce shortage. “We are failing to a...
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Lethal cocktail ready to explode (Herald Sun, letter to the editor)
7th December, 2007
Warm weather, alcohol, gang mentality, taunts and knives. What a cocktail! It's lethal, and it's on our doorstep. The rise in community violence is a major worry. The impact on doctors and staff in emergency departments is enormous. These sense...
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Putting a label on Christmas (Herald Sun, opinion)
5th December, 2007
Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is better food labelling. In fact, not just for Christmas. For ever. Glad tidings and goodwill were tested at the supermarket on Saturday when I spent 20 minutes, inching my trolley along the aisle, tr...
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World Aids Day: AMA Victoria calls for better sex education in schools
29th November, 2007
29 November 2007 AMA Victoria is calling for better sex education in Victorian schools to raise awareness of rising HIV/AIDS infection rates across the state. “HIV/AIDS is still a serious disease with no cure, so awareness and p...
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AMA Victoria welcomes Nicola Roxon as new Health Minister
29th November, 2007
29 November 2007 AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis welcomed the appointment today of Nicola Roxon as Labor’s new Health Minister. “Ms Roxon understands health issues and the specifics of Victoria’s health system,...
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We need more beds (The Age, letter to the editor)
29th November, 2007
29 November 2007 The State Government has added only 61 extra beds to Victorian public hospitals in the last six years and the resulting capacity issues are creating strains in our emergency departments (“Patients wait as demand strains hospit...
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Doctors welcome new beds
21st November, 2007
21 November 2007 AMA Victoria welcomes the State Government’s announcement today to open 46 extra hospital beds at the new Royal Children’s Hospital. AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, said extra beds are welcome to...
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Victoria’s hospitals need more than talk
15th November, 2007
15 November 2007 Victoria’s hospitals need more than talk, according to AMA Victoria. “Victorian hospitals have capacity problems, we have an increasing population and we have growing waiting lists,” said AMA ...
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Victoria needs 600 more hospital beds
9th November, 2007
9 November 2007 Victoria is being short changed by the Federal Government and needs an additional 600 hospital beds, according to AMA Victoria. “Victorian hospitals are bursting at the seams,” said AMA Victoria President ...
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Candidates must reveal rural health plans, says AMA Victoria
8th November, 2007
8 November 2007 Victorian election candidates need to reveal their rural health rescue plans, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis. Dr Travis was commenting after the Federal AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, today ...
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Deficits shows poor hospital planning
1st November, 2007
1 November 2007 Deficits reported by several of Melbourne’s major public hospital operators show increased demand and poor government planning, says AMA Victoria. AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, says the State Governme...
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Private surgery won’t fix Victoria’s public hospital problems
1st November, 2007
1 November 2007 AMA Victoria says Kevin Rudd’s $100m elective surgery blitz plan, announced yesterday, should focus on utilising under-resourced facilities in Victoria’s public hospitals rather than allowing states to purchase add...
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Adequate health planning essential to support population increase
30th October, 2007
30 October 2007 AMA Victoria is urging the state government to plan for adequate health services to accommodate Melbourne’s unprecedented population increase. This increase, due to migration and rising birth rates, is adding 1000 peopl...
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Public hospital spending lowest in Victoria
25th October, 2007
25 October 2007 The Australian Medical Association’s Public Hospital Report Card, released today, reveals that Victoria’s recurrent expenditure on public hospitals is the lowest in the country. Victorians receive only $558 per per...
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Political gain on tobacco unacceptable, says AMA Victoria & Quit
24th October, 2007
24 October 2007 The Australian Medical Association Victoria and Quit today called on all Victorian political parties and independent candidates to declare that they have not, and will not, accept donations from tobacco companies, employees of...
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Government funds could ease Ballarat’s GP shortage
19th October, 2007
19 October 2007 AMA Victoria is calling on the Federal Government to invest in long term strategies to ease Ballarat’s GP shortage. AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, says funding for more GP training places is essential t...
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All elective surgery matters, says AMA Victoria
11th October, 2007
11 October 2007 AMA Victoria is disappointed by Health Minister Daniel Andrews’ statement in Parliament yesterday that the government “will continue to invest in the elective surgery that matters”. “I w...
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Budget surplus signals perfect time for Victorian health investment
11th October, 2007
11 October 2007 AMA Victoria congratulates the Victorian Government on its better-than-expected budget figures and says it should take this opportunity to invest in Victorians’ health. “Victoria needs a substantial inject...
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AMA Victoria President to speak with Gippsland doctors about local issues
9th October, 2007
9 October 2007 AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis will meet with doctors in Gippsland over the next two days and hear their concerns about issues local doctors are facing. Dr Travis’ Gippsland tour starts in Sale today and he...
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World Mental Health Day: A good day to think about mental health
9th October, 2007
9 October 2007 AMA Victoria is encouraging Victorians to take time out on World Mental Health Day, Wednesday 10 October, to think about their own mental health. Dr Doug Travis, AMA Victoria President, says mental health is an importan...
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Victorians missing out on clinically appropriate care
8th October, 2007
7 October 2007 State government benchmarks allow for 264,700 Victorians to receive clinically inappropriate care in Victorian public hospitals, according to AMA Victoria. AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, says the Your Hospital...
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Hospitals report shows improvements needed
4th October, 2007
4 October 2007 AMA Victoria welcomes the state government’s sixth edition of the Your Hospitals report which highlights areas for improvement and the chronic lack of funding for Victoria’s public hospitals. “It&rsq...
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Hand washing key to good infection control
3rd October, 2007
3 October 2007 AMA Victoria welcomes today’s state government announcement that hospital visitors and staff will be required to use alcohol hand rubs before entering Victorian hospitals. AMA Victoria President, Dr Doug Travis, s...
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Stronger penalties needed for Victorian healthcare worker assaults
2nd October, 2007
2 October 2007 AMA Victoria is calling on the government to match South Australia’s proposal to introduce double penalties for assaulting health and emergency workers. Under the South Australian proposal, assaults on health and...
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AMA Victoria supports bonuses for cutting waiting lists
25th September, 2007
25 September 2007 The Australian Medical Association Victoria supports the federal government’s initiative to pay state government bonuses for reduced public hospital waiting lists. AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said thi...
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Doctors encourage Victorians to walk to work on 5 October
25th September, 2007
24 September 2007 The Australian Medical Association Victoria is encouraging individuals, businesses and organisations to take part in national Walk to Work Day on Friday 5 October 2007. “Getting people on their feet is a great...
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Doctors back car-free day
5th September, 2007
5 September 2007 The Australian Medical Association Victoria has welcomed plans for a car-free day in Melbourne’s CBD. “This is an opportunity to encourage more CBD workers and shoppers to walk more, use publ...
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Confidentiality of medical records
27th August, 2007
privacy, confidentiality of medical records
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Baby boom highlights need for more beds and better planning
15th August, 2007
Lack of capacity to meet the needs of Victoria’s growing birth rate highlights Victoria’s bed shortage and lack of planning to meet Victoria’s health needs, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis. Dr Travis’ comm...
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Vigilance required as peak flu season hits
8th August, 2007
With the peak flu season upon us, Victorians need to be vigilant and remember some simple measures to reduce the spread of influenza, AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said today. “August is traditionally the peak flu season in Victoria a...
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Doctors condemn inaction
26th July, 2007
Doctors have criticised the lack of meaningful action by the NSW and Victorian Governments on the integration of health services and called for a commitment to timeframes for action. At the meeting doctors unanimously passed a motion stating: ...
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AMA Victoria welcomes parliamentary review of abortion laws
17th July, 2007
The Australian Medical Association Victoria would welcome legal certainty on abortion. AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said that termination of pregnancy was a health issue and should not form part of the criminal law. “The AMA supp...
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Mental health services under pressure
13th July, 2007
AMA Victoria Council Chair and psychiatrist Professor Graham Burrows said concerns expressed by psychiatric staff at Maroondah and Box Hill hospitals highlighted the pressure on mental health services across the state. “Mental health service ...
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Overseas trained doctors essential
4th July, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said international medical graduates played an important role in the provision of healthcare to Victorians. Dr Travis was speaking after police questioned an overseas trained doctor in Queensland in relati...
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Doctors welcome smoking milestone
30th June, 2007
The new smoking bans for licensed premises which apply from tomorrow are an important milestone in eradicating the harm caused by smoking, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis. “The State Government’s strong stance should be c...
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Doctors welcome smoking milestone
30th June, 2007
The new smoking bans for licensed premises which apply from tomorrow are an important milestone in eradicating the harm caused by smoking, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis. “The State Government’s strong stance should ...
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Drug prescribing requires safety measures
26th June, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Doctors raised concerns today about ‘doctor shoppers’ and the proposed State Government expansion to prescribing of drugs of dependence without adequate controls. AMA Victoria will make a presentatio...
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Education and regulation needed in fight on obesity
20th June, 2007
To win the fight against obesity we must combine education with regulation, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis. Speaking after the release today of the Victorian Auditor General’s report ‘Promoting Better Health through Heal...
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Patient care the priority
20th June, 2007
Financial performance targets must not compromise quality patient care in our public hospitals, AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said today, following the release of the Victorian Auditor-General’s report. “While we commend the State G...
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Expo tackles doctor shortage
1st June, 2007
More than 1000 young doctors and medical students from around Australia are expected to converge on Melbourne tomorrow for the biggest promotion of Victoria’s public hospitals. “The Medical Careers Expo provides a platform for Victoria&rsqu...
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Work Vehicle smoking ban a must – AMA Victoria
31st May, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis today called on the Victorian government to take the lead and ban smoking in work vehicles. Dr Travis said Victoria needs to go one step further than the South Australian government’s ban on smoking in cars c...
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Hospitals doing well today, but no room to move
31st May, 2007
AMA Victoria president Dr Doug Travis congratulated the State Government on having the most efficient public hospitals in Australia, but warned without funding for more beds and staff, elective surgery waiting lists would continue to blow out. The Aust...
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Melbourne doctor elected president
29th May, 2007
A Melbourne based surgeon will head up one of Victoria’s most influential health lobby groups for the next two years. Footscray urologist Dr Doug Travis was elected unopposed as president of AMA Victoria last night. “Victoria has been well ...
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AMA elects new President
28th May, 2007
Dr Rosanna Capolingua has been elected President of the Australian Medical Association, and Dr Gary Speck elected Vice President. Dr Dana Wainwright was re-elected Chairman of Council and Dr Samuel Lees Treasurer. A general practition...
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Health professions unite for public safety
14th May, 2007
Victoria’s doctors, dentists, pharmacists, chiropractors, optometrists and physiotherapists have united to call on the Premier to halt introduction of sweeping changes to the state’s health profession registration system due to start on 1 J...
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AMA Victoria president speaks out on rural health
9th May, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has today welcomed measures in the Federal budget for training and attracting new doctors to rural areas but has called for increased government funding for infrastructure and incentives for doctors to redress the d...
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Walk Safely to School Day a good time for family activity audit
3rd May, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has urged families to use Walk Safely to School Day, this Friday (May 4), as the perfect time to do an audit of your family’s weekly physical activity. “Walk Safely to School Day is the perfect...
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Rural doctor support welcome - State budget
1st May, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said the State budget offered few surprises, but importantly recognised the need to address the rapidly declining number of doctors in country Victoria. “The $3.5 million government funding boost for rural hos...
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Promises honoured, no surprises - State budget
1st May, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said there were few surprises for health in the state budget but it was pleasing the government had honoured its November election promises. Dr Yates welcomed funding boosts for elective surgery and outpatient servi...
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Mandatory notification of infectious diseases
19th April, 2007
Medical practitioners are required under the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001 to report cases where a person shows evidence of or has died with or is a carrier of certain conditions to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS...
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Expansion of training program offers health support staff new direction
19th April, 2007
A successful 2006 pilot program will be expanded this year for health support staff to improve the provision of health services in Victoria. Medical practices, nursing homes and private and public hospitals now have the opportunity to provide reception...
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Village Life closures will spell disaster for health and aged care services
18th April, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today called on the Federal and State Governments to take action to ensure appropriate accommodation is provided for the residents of Village Life retirement villages, who are expected to be evicted in coming weeks....
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GP shortage highlights work to be done in regional Victoria
16th April, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said the shortage of doctors in outer metropolitan and regional areas highlighted the urgency for more government support. The figures from the Primary Health Care Research and Information Service show that the popu...
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Bird flu preparedness: AMA Victoria supports proactive approach
30th March, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today welcomed the proactive approach being taken by a Melbourne GP Clinic to test bird flu preparedness. “Pandemic planning is very important and the exercise today demonstrates that GPs are taking pandemic p...
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Health professions welcome moves to protect patient safety - joint media release
19th February, 2007
The news that the Federal Government believes health practitioner registration should be about public safety and cross border practice rights rather than social engineering is most welcome. It signals their appreciation that health care is comprised of...
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Elective surgery funding welcome
16th February, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has welcomed the State Government’s announcement this week of an additional $12 million for elective surgery and outpatient appointments. “Elective surgery is clearly an important priority for Victorians...
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Action plan needed now to keep doctors in Victoria
8th February, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has today called on the State Government to develop a clear long-term action plan for training of new specialist doctors or face patients having long waits to access needed care. “This week more than 450 docto...
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Hospital funding cuts target elderly
4th February, 2007
State Government public hospital funding cuts are targeting the elderly, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said today. Dr Yates said the huge funding cuts, up to 39 per cent, appeared to target the most frail in our community, the elderly, and may f...
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Latrobe Regional Hospital specialist meeting welcome
14th January, 2007
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has welcomed confirmation Latrobe Regional Hospital management will meet with specialists on Tuesday (16/01/07). Dr Yates said he hoped the meeting, to discuss rental contract arrangements for specialists providing ...
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Assessing testamentary capacity
11th January, 2007
A guide for doctors on determining a person's testamentary capacity.
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Expert Witness Reports
11th January, 2007
A guide for doctors preparing expert witness reports for the courts
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Letter to the Editor - Herald Sun - Nurse on Call
11th January, 2007
Sally Morrell’s experience of the State Government’s Nurse on Call hotline (Herald Sun 11/1/07) brings reality to the concerns doctors expressed to the state and federal Health ministers since 2005 when this “solution” to the es...
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Hundreds of new doctors hit Victoria’s hospital wards
7th January, 2007
The largest intake of new doctors will start at Victoria’s public hospitals from Monday (tomorrow), as the 2007 intern year begins. AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates welcomed the new interns and congratulated them on reaching this important mi...
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Water the key to good health during the festive season
21st December, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has urged all Victorians to enjoy the Christmas/New Year period safely by keeping hydrated with water. “At this time of the year doctors often see an increase in domestic violence, assaults, drownings, road tr...
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No outpatient services provided at LRH despite government grant
20th December, 2006
AMA Victoria has called on Latrobe Regional Hospital to offer incentives to ensure specialist services are retained, after investigations revealed the hospital receives millions in funding for non-admitted patient services, including outpatients, despi...
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Hospital actions force doctors away and hurt patients - Traralgon
14th December, 2006
The Traralgon community is set to lose specialist medical services due to hospital bungling, which is driving away doctors, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said. Huge hikes in rental prices proposed by Latrobe Regional Hospital for use of consulti...
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Doctors support smoking ban in cars carrying children
14th December, 2006
AMA Victoria has put its support behind proposals to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children, prior to the issue being debated by state and territory ministers on Friday. “AMA Victoria is calling on the Victorian Government to follow South Aust...
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Cancer screening program a shambles
29th November, 2006
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is a shambles, with inadequate resources and funding and no clear plan for its roll-out in Victoria, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said today. “The Federal Government has grossly under funded thi...
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Major parties neck and neck on health
21st November, 2006
AMA Victoria has released an analysis of health policies released by the two major parties in the lead-up to this Saturday’s election. AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said the two major parties were neck and neck on health policies and it wa...
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WorkChoices in Medical Practice
10th November, 2006
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victoria today announced a series of information sessions in metropolitan and rural areas of Victoria to help medical practices understand the Australian Government’s WorkChoices legislation. According to ...
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AMA Victoria welcomes hospital bed boost
9th November, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today welcomed the Liberal Party’s health policy, saying it addressed a number of problem areas in Victoria’s health system. “The commitment to an additional 900 hospital beds, 100 intensive care b...
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$1.4 billion welcome but not without risk
2nd November, 2006
The Labor Party’s $1.4 billion commitment to health announced today is welcome and recognises a number of problem areas in the health system, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said. “The recognition of the need for improvements in electi...
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Victoria safer but not safe enough
26th October, 2006
Despite significant improvements in the last five years, 61 per cent of junior doctors in Victoria are still working ‘significant’ to ‘high risk’ hours. The release of the 2006 AMA Safe Hours Report has revealed Victorian public...
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Horsham visit by AMA Victoria President
17th October, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates will visit Horsham tonight as part of a rolling campaign to promote regional health issues. Dr Yates will meet with Western Victoria doctors to hear local concerns and discuss AMA Victoria’s health priorities ...
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AMA Victoria welcomes healthy food in school canteens
16th October, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today welcomed the introduction of new regulations on the types of food available from public school canteens. “As a parent and a doctor I am pleased the State Government is making healthy food the easy option...
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Mental health failures: lessons to be learnt
11th October, 2006
Speaking during Mental Health Week, AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said failures in the mental health sector were harming Victorians. “AMA Victoria members are telling us there are still serious problems in the system as they struggle to ga...
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Bendigo visit by AMA Victoria President
4th October, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has visited Bendigo as part of a rolling campaign to promote regional health issues. Dr Yates met with Bendigo doctors last night to hear local concerns and discuss AMA Victoria’s health priorities in the lead...
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Elective surgery waiting list not a true reflection of wait
28th September, 2006
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More dollars needed to ease pressure on dementia services
21st September, 2006
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Prompt conclusion welcome in RWH case
15th September, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today welcomed the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria’s prompt conclusion to the Royal Women’s Hospital case. However, Dr Yates said the case highlighted the need for tighter controls on who could m...
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AMA Victoria launches election health priorities list
7th September, 2006
The Australian Medical Association of Victoria will today (Friday September 8, 2006) make public a detailed list of health priorities in the lead-up to the November state election.
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MPBV decision on convicted doctor concerning
18th August, 2006
The Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria decision to allow a doctor convicted on child pornography charges to continue as a doctor is understandably of great concern to the public. AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said the doctor’s actions...
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The hidden waiting list is hurting Victorians
31st July, 2006
AMA Victoria is calling on state Liberal and Labor parties to make improving access to public hospital outpatient services an urgent priority. A recent survey of AMA Victoria GP members has highlighted appalling consequences of funding cuts to public h...
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Landmark agreement struck on doctors’ pay: 9.3 per cent increase over 12 months
21st July, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today announced Victoria’s public hospital doctors had won a 9.3 per cent pay increase, but warned it was only the first step in ensuring Victoria could retain and attract doctors.
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Family doctors vital in keeping Victorians healthy
10th July, 2006
Family Doctor Week – July 16 - 22, 2006
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Focus on country Victoria’s doctor shortage welcome
26th June, 2006
Response to the Liberal Party's policy on addressing Victoria's doctor shortage
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Donut fundraisers irresponsible
22nd June, 2006
Reports that Victorian schools may be signing up to Krispy Kreme to help raise funds is appalling according to AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates. Dr Yates said obesity in school children was a serious and increasing problem in Victoria, and fundrais...
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Nothern Hospital - No spin, the facts - Doctor shortage strikes again
20th June, 2006
Doctors have confirmed the pressures of staff shortages at the Northern Hospital over the weekend. AMA Victoria understands Northern Hospital had a doctor shortage over the weekend which resulted in two doctors being principally responsible fo...
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Latrobe Regional Hospital doctors take action
16th June, 2006
Doctors rostered to Latrobe Regional Hospital are angry at a State Government proposal to impose commercial rates for their accommodation at Traralgon. Doctors at Latrobe Regional Hospital will take professional action including not coding dis...
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Gippsland paediatricians resign
8th June, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said he was greatly concerned by the resignation of two paediatricians from Central Gippsland Health Service today. “These resignations are the result of a failure by the Bracks Government to value ou...
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Doctors to take professional action
7th June, 2006
Victorian public hospital doctors will step-up their campaign for an improved remuneration package, to ensure there are sufficient doctors for the Victorian public. AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said despite participating in six meeting...
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One stop medical career shop open today
3rd June, 2006
The biggest promotion of Victorian public hospitals is underway this morning, aimed at attracting medical graduates and young doctors to work in Victorian hospitals. The eighth annual Medical Careers Expo is expected to attract hundreds of fin...
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Budget fails to address rural GP shortage
2nd June, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates today criticised the State Government for failing to address the critical shortage of rural GPs and specialists in the State Budget. Dr Yates said the government had missed the opportunity to address the most press...
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Yates to serve second term
24th May, 2006
Dr Mark Yates has been re-elected unopposed for a second term as president of AMA Victoria.
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Doctors leave Werribee hospital
10th May, 2006
The resignation of at least six doctors from the Werribee Mercy Hospital in the last two months is indicative of the lack of support for public hospital doctors in Victoria, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates. “The Wyndham communi...
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Progress slow
9th May, 2006
Talks between AMA Victoria (representing public hospital doctors) and the government and public hospitals, through the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, continued this morning. AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said: “Very slow prog...
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Doctors reject government offer
4th May, 2006
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One in five patients forgotten - Victorians need real doctors not spin doctors
24th April, 2006
The Bracks Government has turned its back on more than one in five Victorians on waiting lists by asking the spin doctors to fix the problem rather than the real doctors AMA Victoria Vice President Dr Doug Travis, a surgeon working in the public hospi...
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Children's services saved
21st April, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has welcomed the state government’s commitment to maintaining the essential outpatient paediatric services at the Monash Medical Centre. “Doctors could not allow thousands of families who rely on these ...
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States set to poach our doctors
18th April, 2006
AMA Victoria is warning of an exodus of doctors from Victoria to interstate hospitals.
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Action needed to reduce elective surgery waiting times
13th April, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates says the Bracks Government is withholding waiting list data from the public which will prove the urgent need for more beds for elective surgery across the state. Dr Yates said the figures recently published in the ...
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Mental Health Funding Welcomed
6th April, 2006
Commitment to funding from both the Commonwealth and Victorian Government's for mental health has been welcomed by AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates.
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Medical School Places Campaign
30th March, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has welcomed the state government campaign seeking 240 more medical school places for Victoria from the federal government. However, Dr Yates said action must also be taken now to address the current doctor shortage.
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Smoking Legislation Must Go Further
27th February, 2006
AMA Victoria welcomes the introduction this week of tougher smoking laws. However, more needs to be done
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The State Government Must Match SA Package or Face Further Doctor Shortages
24th February, 2006
Victoria is lagging behind other states with regard to recruitment packages for doctors, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates and this may see Victoria unable to attract doctors desperately needed to fill vacancies. Dr Yates said the Vict...
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AMA Calls For More Bariatric Surgery Places
23rd February, 2006
THE State Government should fund more places for bariatric surgery to help improve the health of at-risk Victorians, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates. “The waiting times for bariatric surgery at public hospitals can be years, pu...
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Mandatory Police Checks for Aged Care Workers
23rd February, 2006
Police checks for staff caring for the elderly should be mandatory, according to AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates. Dr Yates said currently most residential aged care operators voluntarily ensured employee police checks were completed. Howe...
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Mental Health Services Under Pressure
14th February, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates is calling on the State Government to provide additional funding in the May budget, to ensure the increasing pressure on mental health services is alleviated and patients are treated more effectively. Dr Yates said...
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AMA Victoria Responds COAG Initiatives
10th February, 2006
Initiatives from the Council of Australian Governments’ meeting today have provided a number of positive outcomes for Victoria, according to AMA Victoria President Mark Yates. The AMA Victoria is pleased with outcomes for key areas such as menta...
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Complaints Against Medical Practitioners Low
9th February, 2006
AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates has welcomed figures released this week confirming the high standard of professionalism of Victorian medical practitioners. “Figures released by the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria this week show an e...
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AMA seeks urgent funding to ease elective surgery cancellations
7th February, 2006
AMA Victoria President Mark Yates is calling on the State Government to pledge an additional $100 million in funding for 300 hospital beds in the May budget, as the first step towards easing demand in emergency waiting rooms and minimising the un