AMA (WA) President Re-elected

Media release from the AMA (WA)

Prof Gary Geelhoed re-elected as AMA (WA) President

Prof Gary Geelhoed has been re-elected President of the AMA (WA).

The Princess Margaret Hospital emergency services head was elected unopposed at the association's Annual General Meeting last night.

Prof Geelhoed said the main challenge facing the medical profession was to ensure that patient care was not jeopardised by the raft of reforms being planned by the Federal Government - and the three percent Budget cuts being imposed by the State Government.

"We recognise that some belt tightening is necessary, but not to the extent that frontline services are affected," he said.

"More than ever, patients' needs have to be protected and that will be one of my main objectives as President."

Prof Geelhoed said the AMA was also keen to work with both the State and Federal Governments in closing the gap on Indigenous health.

"Health outcomes for Indigenous people, particularly children, are both tragic and unacceptable," he said.

"I'm hopeful that by having a WA Health Minister who is also responsible for Indigenous affairs, we can make real progress in this area.

"Restricting the sale of alcohol in communities such as Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing is a good start – but it is not the answer on its own."

Bassendean GP, Dr Steve Wilson, and hospital emergency physician, Dr David Mountain, were both re-elected as Vice Presidents.

Dr Wilson is chair of the AMA (WA) Council of General Practice and Dr Mountain is the association's spokesman on emergency medicine.
 

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