Hobart-based endocrinologist Professor John Burgess has been announced as the new state president for the Australian Medical Association of Tasmania, replacing outgoing president Dr John Davis, who will remain on the AMA board.
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Dr Davis said Professor Burgess would bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the role, including medical practice, clinical leadership and research.
"AMA Tasmania and its board look forward to working with him to implement the AMA health agenda," Dr Davis said.
Professor Burgess was previously AMA vice president and will be joined on the AMA board by Dr Annette Douglas, Mr Scott Fletcher, Dr Helen McArdle and Dr Davis.
As the peak body in Tasmania representing the interests of patients and the whole community on health issues, Professor Burgess said it was time for a renewed comprehensive health plan to be developed for the state, encompassing the acute and primary health sectors.
"Tasmanians deserve high quality, accessible public health services, and political parties must support long-term strategies that focus on this outcome," he said.
"Healthcare staff must be supported in delivering frontline care, and we need a strategic plan for our public hospitals moreover, community health services.
"The only way we are going to be able to manage increasing demand on our hospitals is if we do more in the preventative health space to help Tasmanians not become ill with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, as well as provide more care for patients in the community."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
