Australian Medical Association - Tasmania

29/05/2026

AMA TASMANIA MEDIA: Today’s state government announcement on GP training for ADHD care highlights the urgent need to improve access to ADHD care in Tasmania, but the AMA warns any reform must be built on safe shared care between GPs, paediatricians, and psychiatrists. Read more here - https://www.ama.com.au/articles/better-adhd-care-tasmania-needs-include-access-safeguards-and-shared-care

27/05/2026

is on Friday 5 June. This important day shines a light on mental health in healthcare and helps remind all of us that it should be safe to speak up.

We’re especially pleased that this year’s launch event will be held in Launceston, with founder Dr Geoff Toogood joining the occasion here in Tasmania.

Pull on your brightest socks, get involved, and please see the flyer for event details and how to take part. 💙🧦https://www.crazysocks4docs.com.au/crazysocks4docs-day/crazy-socks-4-docs-day-2026/

25/05/2026

Tasmania’s health system is already backed up at every point. When the system is constipated, pressure builds everywhere and patients wear the consequences.

25/05/2026

The budget doesn’t reflect reality. We know we need efficiencies, but it’s impossible to find them when we don’t have the resources to care for patients in 2026. Every doctor involved in the system looks at these numbers and thinks they’re a joke. It’s not okay that patients wait three years for surgery. It’s not okay that patients wait 10 weeks for a pathology result that shows cancer. There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors in this budget.

Health groups fear the impact of hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts expected to be found in the Health Department as part of Treasurer Eric Abetz's state budget operational efficiencies program.

21/05/2026

TASMANIA BUDGET 26-27: You cannot cut $700 million from health without hurting patients.

21/05/2026

IN THE MEDIA: Could the Northern Territory’s diphtheria outbreak reach Tasmania? Lucy Breaden ABC Drive Hobart spoke with dR Meg Creely, GP and Vice President of AMA Tasmania, about the risks, public health response and what Tasmanians should know. Listen here -

Reports that the CSIRO will sack a third of the team working on Australia's national climate model and a diphtheria outbreak has been declared as one of the worst in Australia's history, could it reach Tasmania?

20/05/2026

Launnie healthcare workers, get ready to get a little sock-crazy! 🧦

Crazysocks4docs Day 2026 is coming on Friday 5 June, and so is founder Dr Geoff Toogood, with this year’s launch happening right here in Launceston.

AMA Tasmania is encouraging everyone to pull on their brightest, boldest and most outrageous socks and show support for mental health in healthcare workers. This year’s theme is “Safe to Speak Up.” 💙

20/05/2026

IN THE MEDIA THIS AFTERNOON: Want to know more about diphtheria and why staying up to date with vaccination matters? Tune in to ABC Radio this afternoon to hear from AMA Tasmania spokespeople:

Immediate Past AMA Tasmania President GP Dr John Saul on ABC Drive Northern Tasmania at 4:10 pm
Vice President GP Dr Meg Creely on ABC Drive Hobart at 5:20 pm

They’ll be discussing the recent diphtheria outbreaks and the importance of vaccination in protecting our community. More information: AMA – Diphtheria outbreaks reminder to stay up to date with vaccination.

As diphtheria cases spread to more states, the AMA is urging Australians to check their vaccination status.

Diphtheria is highly preventable — but only if we stay vaccinated.

Thanks to routine immunisation, diphtheria is now rare in Australia, but recent cases show why we can’t afford to become complacent.

Keeping your vaccinations up to date protects you, your family, and your community.

If you or your children are overdue, now is the time to catch up.

A quick check with your GP can ensure you’re protected and help keep our whole community safer.

Vaccination saves lives.

Read our media release 👉 🔗https://www.ama.com.au/media/diphtheria-outbreaks-reminder-stay-date-vaccination

20/05/2026

STATE BUDGET: To put it plainly: the system is overwhelmed, staff are exhausted, patients are being harmed and has lost any remaining capacity to absorb pressure which is why the AMA is calling on the State Government to use Thursday’s Budget to prioritise Tasmanian patients and make the structural investments needed to fix a health system that is overwhelmed, understaffed and no longer able to meet demand safely or within clinically recommended timeframes.

AMA Tasmania President, Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, said Tasmanians are experiencing the real-world consequences of a blocked system: life-changing and function-restoring procedures postponed because beds are unavailable, patients waiting too long in emergency departments, ambulances ramped outside hospitals, and delays in radiology and pathology results directly impacting clinical care.

https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-tasmania-calls-budget-prioritise-patients-overwhelmed-health-system

17/05/2026

A huge congratulations to Dr Abigail de Waard, 2026 Tasmanian Young Achiever of the Year. Abigail’s work is a powerful reminder that health care is not just about treatment, but about understanding. Health literacy matters. It shapes whether people can access care, make informed decisions and feel confident navigating the system. It is also a key driver of equity.

Through her work with migrant and refugee communities, Aboriginal health and education, Abigail is helping break down barriers so people can better understand and engage with their own health and the care around them. That work is critical to improving outcomes and strengthening communities. A well-deserved recognition.

🏆 Congratulations to the 2026 Tasmanian Young Achiever of the Year, Dr Abigail de Waard!

Dr Abigail de Waard of Hobart is passionate about equitable healthcare. Abigail works as a doctor with the Tasmanian Health Service providing care across multiple specialties at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH). Her work spans acute, maternity and community-based services such as Hospital at Home. Dr Abigail contributes to research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and delivers health education to migrant and refugee communities through The Water Well Project. She is involved in mentoring the next generation of doctors. She has special interests in women's health and improving access for Tasmanians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and rural areas.