Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:

• Clarifying fees for Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs)
• Media update: supporting bereaved parents after hospital deaths, reflections from a GP giant, and an upcoming podcast appearance on digital health and the GROSS initiative.

Clarifying fees for Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs)

Joint AMA Victoria- RACGP Advocacy to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

AMA Victoria, along with the RACGP Victoria Faculty, has written to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) seeking clarification on the Registry’s website wording regarding fees for completing Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs).

This follows previously unaddressed concerns raised by AMA Victoria that the current phrasing- which states the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 “does not provide for” a fee for this work- is widely misunderstood as a legal prohibition on charging one. As previously acknowledged by the Registry in advice to AMA Victoria, this is not the case. However, the website wording continues to be misinterpreted by stakeholders, including funeral directors, and has created confusion and pushback against general practitioners legitimately seeking remuneration for this time-intensive work.

In our joint correspondence with RACGP, we reiterated that completing an MCCD- while a statutory obligation- can involve substantial time and expertise. This often includes reviewing detailed medical records, consulting colleagues or specialists, and undertaking follow-up administration. GPs performing this professional task in the community are under increasing pressure from rising regulatory demands, financial constraints, and a more complex clinical environment. The expectation that such work is to be done free of charge, regardless of circumstance, is increasingly untenable and inconsistent with how salaried hospital doctors are remunerated for the same duty.

We have called on the Registry to amend its website wording to more clearly reflect the legal position- namely, that the law neither mandates nor prohibits fees for MCCDs- and to support fair, professional discretion for GPs undertaking this work. Doing so would reduce misunderstandings, support general practice sustainability, and ensure bereaved families continue to receive timely and professional care during difficult times.

Media update

Push to support bereaved parents after hospital deaths

Continuing our advocacy on sentinel event framework reform and the reporting of paediatric deaths, AMA Victoria President Dr Jill Tomlinson recently spoke to AAP about the need for better support for parents navigating the loss of a child in hospital.

“We see time and time again, parents explaining that they have had to search for answers and that they have not felt there has been open disclosure about what has occurred,” Dr Tomlinson told AAP.

“We think there should be wraparound services provided to parents with pathfinders and open disclosure.”

Read more: Push to support bereaved parents after hospital deaths | The Advocate - Hepburn | Hepburn, VIC

More on our advocacy in this area: Constructive engagement on sentinel event framework reform; Urgent review and revision of Victoria’s sentinel event framework required

Does a giant of general practice ever really retire

Former AMA Victoria President and prominent GP advocate Dr Mukesh Haikerwal has officially retired, but don’t be surprised to see him still around.

The British-trained doctor needs little introduction – those that don’t know him from his stint as AMA president in the 2000s likely know him from his involvement in practice owners’ association Australian GP Alliance or his work on the public health front during the pandemic or recently as Chair of AMA Victoria Council.

In his first official week of retirement, Dr Haikerwal sat down with The Medical Republic to talk through his career.

Read more: Does a giant of general practice ever really retire? - Medical Republic; Altona GP Mukesh Haikerwal looks back on incredible career

Upcoming Pulse+IT podcast appearance

On Friday 18 April, AMA Victoria President Dr Jill Tomlinson will appear on PULSE- a new podcast series from Pulse+IT offering thoughtful commentary on digital health trends and current debates.

Dr Tomlinson’s episode explores the origins of our Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff (GROSS) initiative and its push to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on doctors. She also reflects on the broader need for system reform that redirects clinician time and health system resources toward patient care.

Listen here from 18 April: Pulse+IT Podcast – PULSE

For more on our recent GROSS advocacy: GROSS gaining ground: your examples are driving real reform