"There is no denying that this legislation marks a significant shift in medical practice in Victoria."

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victoria wishes to distance itself from recent comments made by the AMA Federal President on social media.

In light of the release of the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Voluntary Assisted Dying – Final Report, AMA Victoria reiterates the AMA’s 2016 policy position on Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide, and makes the following statement with reference to this report.

Violence is never acceptable and violence against healthcare workers is abhorrent. Verbal abuse, threatening and aggressive behaviour, and physical assault by patients or hospital visitors is a common occurrence and this must end.

The Vic Budget has failed to make a truly significant investment in mental health.

The Australian Medical Association (Victoria) welcomed the release of the Royal Children’s Hospital poll regarding parents’ views on vaccinations. The medical profession is greatly concerned that 30% of Australian parents surveyed are unsure if there is a link between autism and vaccines. There is not.

AMA Victoria supports a trial of safe injecting facilities and wrote to Coroner Hawkins in December 2016, confirming this position. In this letter, AMA Victoria President Dr Lorraine Baker said that “AMA Victoria supports a trial of supervised injecting facilities and has found no reason to change its position since the writing of this policy in 2012. Progress on this issue is regarded as of the utmost importance”.

Asthma is the most common reason for children being admitted to hospital, presenting to their doctor or hospital emergency department. AMA Victoria encourages parents to take their children to their GP for a review of this chronic condition, identify triggers for attacks, and also to develop or update an asthma action plan for school or kindergarten.