AMA (NSW)

17/10/2026

BLUNDER: It is challenging enough to provide timely care in NSW public hospitals due to significant workforce and funding shortages.
Now, we have referrals for patients needing urgent surgery missed in an unattended email inbox.
As AMA (NSW) president and western Sydney surgeon Dr Fred Betros told the Sun-Herald yesterday, this is potentially devastating for the patients and families involved.
To read more, please visit: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/patients-left-waiting-for-surgery-after-hospital-inbox-ignored-for-months-20261018-p616d9.html

07/10/2026

MEMBER FOCUS: General practitioner Dr Jock Martel has been with AMA (NSW) for 50 years. This week, he is stepping away from medicine after a career in the Sutherland Shire, often treating three to four generations of the same family.
In an article in the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, Dr Martel, 77, says he has seen considerable change from handwritten charts and after-hours landline calls to fully computerised systems.
Yet, despite all the modern advancements, the human connection has remained at the heart of healthcare for him.
"The socialisation with patients is the most important thing. It's about listening to people who are working in healthcare at the core of community.”
A father of seven and grandfather of 20, Dr Martel is looking forward to spending more time with loved ones.
Thank you for your commitment to medicine and AMA (NSW), Dr Martel.
To read the full article, please visit: https://www.theleader.com.au/story/9359708/dr-jock-martel-st-george-doctor-retires-after-48-year-career/

02/10/2026

MEMBER FOCUS: AMA (NSW) member Dr Nighat Nasim has been named Pakistani Australian of the Year, recognising her contribution to medicine and the community.
Since moving to Australia in 1994, Dr Nasim has built a career caring for communities across south western Sydney.
A career medical officer with South Western Sydney Local Health District Drug Health Services, she has championed mental health, addiction care and community education, helping to reduce stigma and improve understanding.
She is also a broadcaster, a journalist and has penned 13 books.
Congratulations, Dr Nasim, and thank you for your ongoing contribution.

01/10/2026

MAGIC SPONGE: This weekend, the NRL grand final takes centre stage in Sydney - and let's hope it is injury free.
But spare a thought for players in the 1960s and 70s when medical kits consisted of little more than a bucket of water and a large, shared sponge, known colloquially as The Magic Sponge.
It was squeezed over multiple players' bleeding wounds, concussed heads and bruised faces.
Thirsty players would also suck on it for hydration, before tossing it back into the bucket for the next person.
By 1980, former AMA (NSW) member Dr Ron Muratore, who later became the NRL's chief medical officer, had the practice banned due to infection and blood-borne disease transmission risks.
Now, first aid kits include strapping tape, adhesive bandages, compression bandages, antiseptic cleaning wipes, saline wash pods, gauze swabs, instant disposable ice packs, disposable gloves, biohazard/clinical waste disposal bags, hand sanitiser, heavy-duty medical scissors, tweezers, a CPR face shield or pocket mask and an emergency thermal blanket.

28/09/2026

BETTER TOGETHER: A president's work is never done.
After appearing in The Sunday Telegraph this morning on stranded patients in NSW hospitals, Dr Fred Betros this afternoon attended the Federation of Bangladeshi Medical Societies of Australia annual convention and scientific symposium in Penrith.
Talking to about 350 doctors, Dr Betros spoke on the important role international medical graduates play in Australia's health system and the career-long support AMA (NSW) can provide.
He was joined by Jihad Dib MP and the former president of the Bangladesh Medical Association of Australia Dr M Ayaz Chowdhury, a south western Sydney gastroenterologist.
Thanks to the federation for the invitation.

12/09/2026

FUNDING CRISIS: It is concerning to see the Outback Eye Service, founded by the late Professor Fred Hollows, is under threat due to a lack of guaranteed funding by the NSW Government.
AMA (NSW) board member and ophthalmologist Professor Ashish Agar has been travelling to western NSW to treat patients through the service for 25 years.
“We are the only eye service between Nepean and Adelaide,” he says.
“We cover two-thirds of NSW. These people have no other option. Without us, they go blind.”
Run out of Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, the service treats thousands of patients a year through outreach clinics in Bourke, Cobar, Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge and Walgett, yet has no permanent government funding.
It must apply each year for financial support with the shortfall topped up by donations to The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Vision is crucial to quality of life and remote patients deserve a long-term, financially stable eye service embedded within NSW Health.
To read the ABC’s feature on the service, please visit: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-05/fred-hollows-outback-eye-service-clinic-funding-crisis/106447280

09/09/2026

MESSAGE GETTING THROUGH: It's been a very busy news day today for AMA (NSW) with our response to the latest Bureau of Health Information performance report for NSW hospitals featuring across 95 radio, print and television outlets nationwide, including nine interviews with president Dr Fred Betros.
Our repeated calls for sustained investment in preventative health to reduce avoidable ED visits and admissions is resonating with media, with most journalists focusing on this key issue today.
Opposition health spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell told media there had been "no real action" on the bed block strangling our emergency departments, and more needed to be done to keep people healthy.
"We are not seeing enough from this government on preventative healthcare. The more we can do to help people earlier on will make a big difference. We need a longer-term strategy … not just talk."
This afternoon, Dr Betros, vice president Dr Theresa Ly and CEO Dominique Egan had a productive meeting with Health Minister Ryan Park to discuss AMA (NSW) priorities for doctors and patients. We look forward to continuing these discussions.

29/08/2026

CONGRATULATIONS: We are very pleased to announce that former AMA (NSW) president and general practitioner Dr Michael Bonning has been elected as the next federal AMA president at this year’s national conference in Melbourne.
Congratulations also to Melbourne emergency medicine physician Dr Sarah Whitelaw, elected as vice president.
They will start in their roles in November.
The NSW team, led by Dr Fred Betros, Dr Theresa Ly and Dominique Egan, looks forward to working closely with them over the next two years to improve the health system for patients and doctors.

27/08/2026

BOWEL CANCER SCREENING: AMA (NSW) member Dr Kenneth McCroary has called for bowel cancer screening to be extended to younger age groups.
Free home test kits are a simple but potentially lifesaving tool, helping people detect signs of cancer before symptoms appear.
Dr McCroary said patients should not ignore the test when it arrives in the mail and should speak with their GP if they have concerns or symptoms.
Early detection saves lives, and regular screening remains one of the most important steps people can take to protect their health.

25/08/2026