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

• Should GPs charge fees for completing death certificates? Member feedback wanted
• Violence in the medical workplace
• Recent state healthcare developments- key updates for members.
   

Should GPs charge fees for completing death certificates? Member feedback wanted

AMA Victoria has recently written to Births Deaths & Marriages Victoria (BDM) requesting that the wording on its website regarding fees for completing a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) or Perinatal Death (MCCPD) be amended or clarified. The current phrasing states:

“The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 does not provide for you to charge a fee for this.”

In correspondence with BDM, it was clarified that "does not provide for" is distinct from a legal prohibition on charging a fee. However, AMA Victoria members have reported that the current wording is often misinterpreted to discourage or undermine legitimate requests for remuneration, such as from funeral directors.

While AMA Victoria has historically advised against charging fees for this work, we are now reconsidering this position. The healthcare landscape in 2025 increasingly reflects a fee-for-service model, and completing death certificates can often be a complex and time-intensive task. Salaried hospital medical officers are paid for this work, highlighting its value, yet many GPs perform this service without compensation, placing additional pressures on their time and resources.

We have requested BDM to amend or clarify its website wording to prevent misunderstandings and ensure transparency all stakeholders.

We want your feedback: should GPs charge fees for completing death certificates? Is it appropriate to reflect the complexity and time demands of this work with a fee, or should it remain largely unremunerated? Your thoughts will help shape AMA Victoria's stance on this matter.

Please share your thoughts with Senior Adviser, Lewis Horton, at [email protected].  Your feedback will help shape AMA Victoria's final position on this matter.
 

Violence in the medical workplace

Violence against Victorian healthcare workers has always been a significant and deeply concerning issue, with incidents continuing to escalate. Recent media coverage in the Herald Sun revealed that Victorian public hospitals were forced to activate an urgent security response to over 680 Code Blacks in the last financial year.

AMA Victoria President, Dr Jill Tomlinson, spoke to the Herald Sun, 3AW, and 10 News about this critical issue, describing workplace violence in healthcare as both "unacceptable" and "ongoing." She reiterated AMA Victoria’s call for a "zero-tolerance" approach, stating in the Herald Sun:

"We have seen healthcare workers and doctors sustain serious injuries and even death. Hospitals need better resources to counter this problem. While most patients understand clinicians are doing their very best in a stretched system, delays in emergency departments can heighten tensions."

AMA Victoria believes that Victorian health services, the Department of Health, and the State Government must take decisive action to address workplace violence. Employers have a legislated obligation to protect workers from psychosocial hazards, including violence. It is simply unacceptable that healthcare workers continue to face permanent injuries—or even lose their lives—because of preventable incidents.

Reducing violence in healthcare workplaces will not only improve conditions for staff but also lead to better patient outcomes and a more functional health system. AMA Victoria acknowledges the financial pressures facing health services but insists that the health and safety of frontline workers, including their right not to face assault or injury at work, is non-negotiable.

Violence is never justified. Emergency department wait times, drug use, or mental health challenges cannot excuse aggressive or harmful behaviour. Although violence is particularly common in emergency departments and mental health wards, it can and does occur in every healthcare setting, including general practice. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.

For more detailed recommendations, we encourage members to review the AMA’s position statement: Managing and responding to violence in the medical workplace. This statement outlines practical measures to tackle violence and aggression in healthcare settings and emphasises the shared responsibility of governments, hospitals, and health services in creating safer workplaces.

AMA Victoria is keen to hear members’ thoughts. What has been your experience with workplace violence? What measures do you believe would better protect healthcare workers?

Your feedback will help inform our advocacy on this critical issue. Please share your insights with Senior Adviser, Lewis Horton, at [email protected].
 

Recent state healthcare developments- key updates for members

Several recent announcements from the Victorian Government directly affect healthcare delivery and the medical workforce. These developments include initiatives aimed at improving system coordination, enhancing access to care, and supporting the next generation of general practitioners.

Local health service networks (LHSNs) announced

The establishment of Local Health Service Networks (LHSNs), part of the government’s broader Health Services Plan, introduces structural changes to service coordination and regional decision-making. These changes are intended to improve healthcare delivery across Victoria.

AMA Victoria President Dr Jill Tomlinson, in comments to The Age, acknowledged the potential of these changes to improve services and generate long-term cost savings. However, she also highlighted the significant financial resources and expertise required for effective implementation. Dr Tomlinson also noted: "It will be interesting to see whether the current reluctance towards formal mergers among health services persists as these changes are rolled out."

AMA Victoria continues to advocate for transparency in the implementation of the HSP and urges robust consultation with the medical workforce and their industrial representatives throughout this process.

Improvements to non-emergency patient transport (NEPT)

The government’s recent steps to improve Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) services represent a long-overdue response to concerns about access to essential treatments like dialysis and radiotherapy. These reforms are particularly important for patients in rural and regional areas, where transportation challenges have long hindered access to care.

AMA Victoria has consistently raised concerns regarding NEPT access, and we are encouraged by the progress being made to address these barriers. The measures announced are designed to contribute to more equitable and timely access to necessary treatments across the state.
 

Support for general practice registrars

The commencement of the next round of GP registrar grants is a step forward in building Victoria’s GP workforce. AMA Victoria has long advocated for these grants and sustained state support for general practice, recognising its critical role in improving access to primary care and alleviating pressure on emergency departments.

We acknowledge the program’s success to date, with 13% of participants moving to Victoria because of it and 44% stating they would have pursued a different career in medicine without this initiative. More: GP Workforce Grows As Graduate Doctors Take Up Grants | Premier

As these initiatives move forward, AMA Victoria will continue to monitor their implementation, ensuring that the intended improvements in access and service delivery are realised, and that they meet the needs of both patients and healthcare providers across the state.