The history of medical associations in Victoria

2010

Campaign for the opening of more public hospital beds and the reduction of waiting times for out-patient appointments

Purchase of iPads for doctors in training

2009

Public health campaigns against tobacco and for immunisation

H1N1 Swine Flu panic

New Constitution – reduction of metropolitan geographic subdivisions, a new salaried doctors’ subdivision and the introduction of AMA fellows’ representatives

2007

Successful campaign to stop closure of Monash Medical Centre’s paediatric out-patients

2006

New Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for doctors in training

2005

Advanced Medical Directives introduced

2003

Introduction of Tort Law reform regarding medical indemnity

Campaign exposing mental health service under-funding

Opposition to bonding of medical students linked to their future work placement

2002

Solution to the medical indemnity crisis

Safe hours campaign for doctors in training

2001

Start of the relative value study

Support for nurses in their campaign for a better career structure and nurse/patient ratios

Formation of a Medical Indemnity Taskforce

New privacy legislation, especially applied to patient histories

AMA Aged Care Summit: The future of Aged Care 2008 and beyond

Highlighting environment issues and their impact on health

AMA National Conference held in Melbourne

2000

Medical indemnity crisis

Introduction of Victorian Doctors' Health Program (VDHP)

Introduction of GST and its effects on some aspects of medical practice

Formation of a Drugs Working Party

Production of an AMA Accreditation for General Practice Manual

Support for aged care reform

2004

New Doctors in Training Award – a fair day's work, for a fair day's pay

1999

AMA Victoria Council of General Practice with Dr Mukesh Haikerwal inaugural Chair

Successful campaign to stop the proposed Werribee toxic waste dump

Opposition to the introduction of Northern Territory-style euthanasia

1998

Problems due to budgetary constraints at the privatised LaTrobe Regional Hospital

A New Medical Practice Act

A simplified billing model as a counter to US style Managed Care

1997

Change of name to AMA Victoria Ltd (not a branch)

Minor changes to Constitution

Lawrence legislation – campaign against the threat of Managed Care

Improved billing arrangements for private hospital episodes – informed financial consent

Privatisation of public hospitals – LaTrobe Regional Hospital

Problems with public hospital health care networks

Campaigns against passive smoking, poor food handling and problem gambling

Regionalisation of General Practice Training

Accreditation of General Practices

1996

Threat of Managed Care by Private Hospital Insurance Funds

Competition Policy (ACCC) – effects on the medical profession

Training of students and certainty of places for doctors in training in public hospitals in focus

Compulsory professional indemnity insurance

Childhood immunisation made a prerequisite for school entry

1995

General Practice National Summit

Introduction of Public Hospital Health Care Networks

1994

The Australian Medical Association Victoria Limited was incorporated

Quit campaign – a summit of year 10 students

Campaign against privatisation of public hospitals and out-patient clinics

Lochtenberg Enquiry – terms of engagement of doctors in public hospitals

Health Summit regarding public hospital restructuring

Reorganisation of Council, including representatives for academic organisations, professional organisations and general members (now known as independent members), and Federal Council. Continuing representation for geographic subdivisions, doctors in training and medical students

1891

‘Duly qualified medical women’ are eligible as members of the Victorian branch of the British Medical Society

1887

First Intercolonial Medical Congress is held. It is the first time that doctors from around Australia assemble to discuss matters of mutual interest.

1879

Dr Louis Henry returns from England with the authority from the British Medical Association to establish Australian branches

Victorian Branch established on 25 September, with 30 foundation members

1862

First medical school established at Melbourne University

1858

First Medical Act is passed

1852

The Victorian Medical Association is formed by some of the former members of the Port Phillip Medical Association. Dr David Wilkie, who had been active in the affairs of the Port Phillip Medical Association, was elected President. While some of the details of the Association’s constitution differed from the Port Phillip Medical Association, the principles were basically the same.

1855

The Victorian Medical Association merges with the Medico-Chirurgical Society to become the Medical Society of Victoria

Steps are taken to publish The Australian Medical Journal

Association also actively pushes for the registration of medical practitioners

1851

Dissolution of the Port Phillip Medical Association, after a series of quarrels between members