Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:
• AMA Victoria meets with new Health Minister
• Consultation on draft WorkSafe Victoria Code of Claimants’ Rights
• Consultation on Radiation Regulations review.
AMA Victoria meets with new Health Minister
AMA Victoria this week met with Victorian Health Minister Harriet Shing for an introductory discussion regarding a range of current health system, workforce and reform issues.
Matters discussed included public hospital enterprise bargaining, workforce pressures across Victorian health services, occupational violence and broader workplace culture issues, cohealth, emergency department access block, digital health and interoperability, and the Victorian Government’s Local Health Service Networks reforms.
AMA Victoria stressed the importance of a fair and equitable enterprise agreement to support recruitment and retention within Victoria’s public health system, alongside continued investment in hospital capacity and frontline services to address ongoing system pressures and access block.
Discussion also included the recent cohealth funding announcement and the importance of stable and sustainable community health funding arrangements. AMA Victoria raised the issue of the independent review into cohealth and called for its release, noting the importance of transparency and accountability regarding governance and operational concerns within the organisation.
There was also discussion regarding occupational violence and aggression, psychosocial hazards, broader workplace culture and speaking up issues, and the ability of clinicians to safely raise concerns within Victorian health services. The Minister stressed the importance of addressing these issues and indicated that further work and stakeholder engagement will occur in coming months.
AMA Victoria further stressed the importance of meaningful clinician consultation as major health system and governance reforms progress, including regarding the Local Health Service Networks reforms and broader health system planning.
Digital health and interoperability were also discussed, including CareSync Exchange and the need to improve digital connectivity and capability across the Victorian health system, particularly in regional areas.
Regarding emergency department pressures and access block, discussions included the role of diversion pathways such as the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and Urgent Care Clinics. AMA Victoria noted that while diversion initiatives may assist at the margins, the underlying issue of insufficient inpatient bed capacity remains central to resolving access block across the system. AMA Victoria also raised concerns regarding prolonged emergency department stays, particularly within some regional health services, including very concerning numbers of patients remaining in emergency departments for more than 24 hours.
The meeting was positive and we appreciate the Minister’s willingness to engage with AMA Victoria on these issues. We look forward to continuing discussions in the months ahead.
Consultation on draft WorkSafe Victoria Code of Claimants’ Rights
WorkSafe Victoria has released a draft Code of Claimants’ Rights for public comment following legislative changes introduced under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Act 2025.
The proposed Code is intended to establish service standards regarding how injured workers and other claimants are treated within the Victorian WorkCover scheme, including standards relating to communication, dignity and respect, complaints handling, and obligations applying to WorkSafe, its agents and self-insurers.
While the draft Code makes clear that complaints regarding professional medical services, including clinical opinions and medical treatment, are not covered by the Code itself, the consultation is still relevant to a number of longstanding AMA Victoria concerns regarding claimant experience and the practical operation of the WorkCover system, including communication and administrative processes, interactions between claimants and scheme participants, and broader procedural issues within the scheme.
The draft Code and consultation materials are available via Engage Victoria.
Members wishing AMA Victoria to consider issues or feedback for possible inclusion in a submission can contact Lewis Horton at [email protected] by Friday 22 May 2026.
Consultation on Radiation Regulations review
The Department of Health is reviewing the Radiation Regulations 2017 ahead of their remake in 2027 and has released a discussion paper for targeted consultation regarding radiation safety and compliance frameworks in Victoria, including matters relating to diagnostic imaging equipment, radiation facilities and monitoring requirements. Members with an interest in the area who wish AMA Victoria to consider issues or feedback can contact Lewis Horton at [email protected].