AMA Victoria wishes members a happy Women's Health Week! In this spirit, we're pleased to provide you with an update on our recent advocacy efforts aimed at addressing structural inequalities in healthcare, particularly those affecting women.
 

Key advocacy efforts

Parental Leave payments for hospital doctors

AMA Victoria is forcefully advocating for equitable parental leave payments for hospital doctors on fixed-term contracts. Recently, the Victorian Hospitals' Industrial Association (VHIA) adopted a policy where doctors whose contracts end during the 14-week paid parental leave period may no longer receive their full entitlement. This change has led to numerous doctors missing out on weeks of paid leave, particularly affecting doctors in training who are often on fixed-term contracts due to their training requirements. Unlike most permanent nurses, doctors on fixed-term contracts face inequitable treatment, a disparity we have highlighted to government officials and the bureaucracy. We are urging the retention of previous entitlements to ensure that parental leave benefits are preserved for all doctors, regardless of their contractual status.

 

Inclusivity for trainees on Parental Leave: Exam sitting and applications

Beginning in 2023, AMA Victoria has successfully advocated for policy changes in medical colleges that previously excluded trainees on parental leave from applying to sit for fellowship exams. Our efforts have led to significant policy reversals and amendments at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA). Recently, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) aligned its Fellowship Examination policy with AMA Victoria’s flexible training advocacy, allowing trainees on parental leave to apply and sit for exams.

 

Ahpra equity campaign

AMA Victoria has been actively advocating for reforms to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (Ahpra) fee-setting practices, particularly focusing on the inequities faced by health practitioners on parental leave. Under the current system, these practitioners are required to pay the full registration fee, even while they are not practicing, which imposes an unnecessary financial burden during a critical time in their lives.

To address this issue, AMA Victoria has engaged with various stakeholders to push for change, including lodging a formal complaint with the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman. We outlined the unfairness of Ahpra's current fee structure and urged a review. Additionally, we've sought support from Members of Parliament (state and federak), health departments, and professional associations nationwide to build a united front demanding more equitable treatment for practitioners on parental leave.

Our efforts have also included initiating a public petition, which has gained traction among healthcare professionals and the broader community. The petition calls for Ahpra to reform its fee-setting practices to better reflect the realities faced by health practitioners who temporarily step away from practice for parental leave.

Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that all healthcare practitioners are treated fairly and that Ahpra’s policies align with the principles of equity and support for the health workforce.

 

Inquiry into Women’s Pain

AMA Victoria has submitted feedback to the Inquiry into Women’s Pain, a vital Victorian Government initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for women and girls aged 12 and older. Our submission emphasised the need for multidisciplinary pain management led by specialists and the importance of female leadership in healthcare services. We advocated for increased funding, expanded access to pain management services, and reforms to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to support comprehensive care for women experiencing chronic pain. These measures are crucial for addressing the unique challenges faced by women in managing chronic pain and ensuring they receive the necessary care and support.

 

Equal Pay Day- Advancing gender equity through Hospitals Victoria

In the lead-up to Equal Pay Day on August 19, AMA Victoria actively engaged with health services to address the gender pay gap. Our current efforts are focused on advancing gender pay equity within the newly established Hospitals Victoria.

 

"Name A Place" drive

Our upcoming "Name A Place" initiative (to be formally launched shortly) aims to honour pioneering medical practitioners who have made significant contributions to women's and children's healthcare, such as those who established the Queen Victoria Hospital in Melbourne. We aim to ensure these legacies are recognised and celebrated, including those like Dr Vera Scantlebury-Brown, who has been honoured with a statue in her hometown for her work in maternal and child health.

The "Name A Place" drive seeks to recognise and preserve the legacies of these remarkable individuals, ensuring that their contributions to healthcare are acknowledged and remembered.

 

Conclusion

In addition to supporting members delivering high-quality healthcare to women every day, AMA Victoria is committed to addressing structural inequities within our healthcare system. Our focus includes tackling unfair industrial practices, addressing inequitable registration fees, promoting inclusivity in training, and ensuring pay equity across healthcare settings. Through these efforts, we strive to create a more equitable and supportive environment for medical practitioners, ultimately benefiting the communities they serve.