Here’s an update on a few of the issues AMA Victoria is working on for members, including:

• Meeting with Safer Care Victoria and Department of Health
• Submission to Victorian Maternity Taskforce.
   

Meeting with Safer Care Victoria and Department of Health

Following our meeting with the Minister for Health earlier in the week on Wednesday 26 March, AMA Victoria met with representatives from Safer Care Victoria (SCV) and the Victorian Department of Health (the Department) to advance our advocacy on the “Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff” (GROSS) initiative, and to discuss necessary reforms to Victoria’s sentinel event framework. The latter builds upon AMA Victoria’s ongoing advocacy, which has attracted media attention, and significant political engagement, including discussions in Parliament.

During the meeting, it was evident that both Safer Care Victoria and the Department strongly support the principles underpinning GROSS- namely, removing inefficiencies and reducing administrative burden on clinicians. They acknowledged the substantial benefits this initiative offers and agreed that early efforts should focus on achievable targets, such as eliminating unnecessary and duplicative mandatory training modules. These represent a clear opportunity to free up clinicians’ time for patient care.

It was proposed that each health service establish a centralised mechanism- potentially as simple as a dedicated email inbox- to collect clinician-identified inefficiencies and ensure they are addressed practically and promptly, as appropriate. Credentialing processes were also recognised as problematic, though the consensus was to prioritise addressing training duplication first, given the complexity of credentialing governance.

On sentinel events, AMA Victoria reiterated serious concerns about confusion and potential underreporting linked to Victoria’s unique Category 11, which diverges from national sentinel event definitions. We emphasised the urgent need for clearer definitions and guidance- particularly around healthcare-associated paediatric deaths- given the profound impact these events have on families, clinicians, and community trust.

Safer Care Victoria confirmed it will prepare options for the Minister outlining strategies for reform. While there was consensus that removing Category 11 entirely was not advisable, all parties agreed on the need for clearer criteria and greater transparency.

There was also strong agreement on the need to improve support for families following paediatric deaths. Attendees acknowledged that defensive or risk-averse responses from health services can undermine trust. Improved communication and compassionate, family-centred care were identified as essential.

The Department and Safer Care Victoria have invited AMA Victoria’s ongoing involvement and collaboration as these initiatives progress. We will continue advocating strongly on behalf of our members to achieve meaningful change in both these critical areas.

MORE:

• AMAV - Cutting waste, improving care: GROSS Initiative update
• AMAV - Communications and Advocacy update: 6 March 2025
• Allan govt shoots down probe into Vic health system failings that led to child deaths, serious injuries | Herald Sun
• Health services - Motions - Wednesday 19 March 2025 - Legislative Council - Hansard - Parliament of Victoria
   

Submission to Victorian Maternity Taskforce

AMA Victoria has provided a submission to the Victorian Maternity Taskforce, highlighting significant concerns and offering pragmatic solutions to address pressures facing maternity care statewide. As members are well aware, Victoria’s maternity system is under considerable strain from workforce shortages, closures of maternity units (especially in rural and regional areas), rising complexity of maternal health needs, and inadequate mental health and culturally safe care.

The submission identified clear inequities in maternity access, noting that over 25 Victorian rural maternity units have closed or been downgraded in recent years, forcing women into long-distance travel and increasing risks associated with childbirth. Additionally, private maternity unit closures have shifted substantial demand onto an already overstretched public system.

AMA Victoria emphasised the necessity of sustaining local maternity services, improving integration of general practitioners into maternity care pathways, and expanding telehealth and outreach services. Our submission advocated strongly for preserving private maternity options through (where appropriate) co-located service models to alleviate public hospital pressures. It also called for stronger financial incentives and Commonwealth support to enhance private health insurance affordability.

Critical workforce challenges were likewise addressed, with recommendations for boosting rural training, enhancing recruitment and retention of obstetricians, GP obstetricians, and other essential specialists, and reaffirming medical leadership within maternity care teams. We also called for improved career pathways, sustainable workloads, and structured wellbeing support to prevent clinician burnout and improve retention, especially in regional settings.

Further, the submission highlighted the importance of standardising/improving perinatal mental health screening statewide and ensuring culturally safe care, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who experience disproportionately poor maternity outcomes.

Lastly, the submission identified broader systemic issues including insufficient private health insurance coverage for maternity care and inadequate Medicare rebates for newborn specialist care, urging the Victorian Government to advocate federally for policy reform to maintain a balanced, sustainable, and equitable maternity system.