President’s Message

Hello Colleagues,

Welcome to this first issue of the Society’s quarterly newsletter for 2024.  It feels like we barely paused for the Christmas and New Year break, with a flurry of activity in the first three months of the year.  For me that has meant a fair bit of travel, representing the ANZSGM at various events and meetings. 

In late February I travelled to Canberra for a meeting on the Advisory Committee to the Office of the Inspector General of Aged Care, a recently established body, independent of Federal Health, that has been tasked with oversight of the administration, regulation and funding of Australia’s Aged Care System.  The group is led by Mr Ian Yates AM (former Chief Executive of COTA), and draws together key stakeholders from across the Aged Care Sector.  Being a part of this group is a fantastic opportunity for the Society to share its position on very high-level issues affecting older people. 

In early March I attended the RACP & Society Presidents’ Forum.  A key focus of the College at present is on AMC accreditation, and we have provided constructive feedback incorporating experiences of members of GMET Committee.  Amongst other topics the forum discussed support for pathways into academic medicine for physicians and trainees,  an issue that has been raised for discussion at recent GMET meetings, so it’s good to see that the RACP also sees it as a priority. 

The complex issue of medical workforce was also a major theme of discussions at a recent meeting of Colleges, Associations and Societies convened by the Australian Medical Association in which Health Minister Mark Butler was an invited speaker.  The Minister’s speech really made it clear that he sees ageing and aged care as a key priority area for the Department.   He spoke favourably of outreach teams to residential aged care and innovative models of care for people with dementia, two areas the Society believes are worthy of greater government support.  Ultimately we felt there was a lot of common ground with the positions the AMA has taken on many important issues. 

I’d like to bring member’s attention to the advocacy work the ANZSGM is undertaking. Council has chosen to prioritise the areas of Dementia, Equity, and Prevention/Healthy Ageing. The Dementia Special Interest Group will take a major role in driving dementia advocacy, and a working group will be established within the Policy and Planning Committee to further explore the issue of equity.  The Clinical Advocacy Committee, will continue to provide expert feedback and endorsement of external guidelines, clinical care standards, position statements and government policy and legislation.  These requests may come via the RACP or directly from other external bodies, and we also respond to public consultations. Frequently the turnaround time is shorter than we would consider ideal! And we are very grateful to the Clinical Advocacy Committee, who find the time within their busy schedules to respond.  Those responses are then collated by our Communications and Policy Manager, Jo Dunlop, with guidance from me and the Clinical Advocacy Chair Owen Davies, before submission.  Each submission represents many hours of work, and ensures that external bodies give issues of importance to the healthcare of older people the consideration they deserve.  In just the last three months the Clinical Advocacy Committee has already handled eight submissions on the Society’s behalf.  I thank the Committee members, Owen and Jo for all the work this has entailed.

Two of these submissions have been in response to various stages in the consultation process the Australian Government is undertaking in developing a new Aged Care Act.  The Society has argued very strongly for equitable and timely access to healthcare, based on an individual’s needs, a critical foundation for a functional aged care system.

In closing, I’d like to make you aware that preparations are in full swing for the Annual Scientific Meeting at the Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch, 22 – 24 May 2024.  This year the program includes a stellar line up of speakers and some exciting pre-conference events. You only have until 12 April to secure registration at the Early Bird rate, so don’t delay and log onto the ASM website to register.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Rob O’Sullivan
ANZSGM President