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

• GP Registrar Incentive Measures: Support for Commonwealth Action
• Paramedic Practitioner Legislative Amendments: Our Concerns.

GP registrar incentive measures: Support for Commonwealth action

AMA Victoria recently wrote to the Victorian Government to express our appreciation for their ongoing support of GP registrars through the General Practitioners (GP) grant program. This program has played a crucial role in strengthening our GP workforce and supporting the sustainability of general practice in Victoria.

While we’ll continue to advocate for state funding, we acknowledge that GP workforce issues are fundamentally a federal responsibility. After all, ensuring that our GP registrars are well-supported is essential for the future of healthcare across the country.

Accordingly, we’re calling for the Victorian Health Minister to raise this issue at the next Health Ministers Meeting, and we stand ready to assist in advocating for sustained Commonwealth funding. We are also working closely with AMA colleagues in other states and territories who share our commitment to securing federal support for these crucial payments.

Paramedic Practitioner legislative amendments: Our concerns

AMA Victoria has responded to a consultation from Safer Care Victoria and the Victorian Department of Health on the proposed Paramedic Practitioner initiative. While the goal of improving access to healthcare in rural areas is commendable, we have serious concerns about the potential impact on patient safety.

The initiative proposes to allow paramedic practitioners to manage complex medical conditions, prescribe medications, and make critical healthcare decisions- responsibilities that typically require extensive medical training. We believe that this expansion of scope could lead to suboptimal outcomes, particularly in the management of chronic conditions like diabetes.

We strongly encourage the Victorian Government to consider the AMA’s recent policy work on scope of practice, which stresses the importance of maintaining high standards in healthcare and avoiding the fragmentation of care:

• AMA submission to Scope of Practice Review – Issues Paper 2 | Australian Medical Association
• AMA Submission to Scope of Practice Review—Issues Paper #1 | Australian Medical Association
• AMA submission to Unleashing the potential of our workforce | Australian Medical Association

In summary, AMA Victoria questions the appropriateness of the Paramedic Practitioner initiative and its potential impact on patient safety. We urge the Victorian Government, Safer Care Victoria, and the Department of Health to reconsider this initiative and ensure that all Victorians receive the highest standard of care, provided by professionals with the requisite knowledge and expertise.