President's update on Limestone Coast Rural Tour, gambling ads & Health Equity Awards

RURAL ROADTRIP: LIMESTONE COAST

I was back on the road again last week as my rural tour rolled into the Limestone Coast.  AMA SA CEO Nicole Sykes and I set out from Adelaide to Mount Gambier bright and early on Thursday 29 August for what was a whirlwind 32-hour trip jam-packed with meetings, media interviews and a dinner with local health professionals.

When I began my presidency, I promised to be a voice for all AMA SA members – and the rural tour is a big part of that. By listening to regional doctors, I’m better placed to speak on their behalf when I meet with health decision makers or hold a press conference. Their insights shape and strengthen my advocacy.  

Our first stop on the Limestone Coast was the Mount Gambier and Districts Hospital for a meeting with Limestone Coast Local Health Network CEO Emma Poland and her colleagues, Executive Director of Medical Services Dr Sue Abhary and Director of Medical Services Dr Hemant Diesh (pictured above). We had a constructive and productive conversation and I look forward to working with them to ensure the best outcomes for doctors and patients in the region.

Later the same evening I hosted a dinner with local doctors at The Barn in Mount Gambier. It was wonderful to meet such an engaged group of health professionals and we canvassed many issues including junior doctor retention and the need for more strategic investment in the health system, especially in primary care.

 One of the doctors asked me what can be done to address the health system’s woes – I outlined two priorities:

1. Improved data collection. More data is needed to understand where and why patients are sick and to inform decision-makers about what is and isn’t working.
2. Greater connectivity in the system. We need to leverage hospital and GP data to better connect general practice with tertiary care.

 As I told the doctors I met on the Limestone Coast, we need our leaders to view healthcare as a basic part of infrastructure. Proper investment is needed in every corner of the state.

The next stop on my rural tour is Kangaroo Island. If you or anyone you know is working in healthcare on KI, I’d love to see you there. Register your interest here.

GAMBLING – AMA’S CALL TO ACTION

In my last update I outlined AMA’s concerns around the impact of gambling on Australians’ health. Our members and gambling addiction specialists Prof Malcolm Battersby and Prof Michael Baigent have emphasised to us the urgent need for a strong ban on gambling advertising, especially on TV.

Late last week, Prof Battersby, Prof Baigent and I sent a joint letter to all members of the Australian and South Australian parliaments making our position clear. We asked them to use their platforms to personally lobby the Prime Minister and other Federal Government decision-makers and impose a total ban on gambling advertising on television, rather than the ‘partial ban’ being discussed in recent media reports. In seeking their support, we said the Federal Government must prioritise the health and wellbeing of Australians now and in the future above the financial objectives of major sporting and media businesses in this country.

AMA continues to monitor this evolving situation and remains poised to act further. I thank Prof Battersby and Prof Baigent for their leadership on this issue.

HEALTH EQUITY AWARDS

I was privileged to represent AMA SA at the Health Equity Awards Dinner on Saturday 31 August. The event, hosted by Adelaide PHN, honours the exceptional primary healthcare providers in our region who are paving the way for a healthier, more equitable healthcare system.

I congratulate all the very worthy award recipients, in particular former AMA SA President Dr Jill Maxwell and the Adelaide City General Practice. They were recognised for their exceptional work providing vital primary healthcare to vulnerable communities, including refugee and asylum seekers, the homeless and people living with disabilities.

Congratulations Jill!