AMA works on national health strategy

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is hoping to influence Federal policy at a national health conference being held in Brisbane.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is hoping to influence Federal policy at a national health conference being held in Brisbane.The national doctor shortage does not appear to be improving and the AMA does not believe the solution lies in importing more overseas-trained doctors.AMA President Dr Bill Glasson says the medical indemnity crisis convinced a lot of Australian doctors to drop out of the system, and the next hurdle is persuading them to come back.”Something like 40 per cent of our workforce outside of Brisbane comes from overseas and we would not have a medical system if it wasn’t for these overseas doctors,” Dr Glasson said.”I think it’s really important that we develop policy to address the needs of these overseas doctors themselves and also that we address the needs of the patients.”(Source: ABC News Online: May 2004)