AMA (WA) in the Media

At the AMA (WA), we take pride in being a strong voice for doctors, patients, and the healthcare system as a whole. Over the past two months, the AMA (WA) has been in the media, speaking up on relevant issues like the findings of an audit of child and adolescent mental health. Here’s a look at some of our most significant media appearances.

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HIGHLIGHTS

CHANNEL 9 NEWS

RSV tops the virus charts

RSV has overtaken the flu as Australia’s most common respiratory virus this winter, for the first time. AMA (WA) President Kyle Hoath reiterated the importance of increasing vaccination rates to protect vulnerable people in the community. “RSV can be deadly if it leads to pneumonia in somebody who is vulnerable, and that’s ultimately what we’re trying to avoid here.”

The vaccine is free if you’re 75 or older, or 60 and older if you’re Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. With more than 5,000 people being diagnosed so far this year, now’s the time for older Western Australians to get their free vaccine.

ABC Radio Perth

OK not to be OK for men

Dr Kyle Hoath responded to data about the 50-59 age group recording the highest number of unintentional drug overdose deaths, with most being men. Dr Hoath said this had always been a cohort that is over-represented in some of these categories, largely because they’re not the greatest at reaching out for help.

“It is Men’s Mental Health Week this week, and so I think a good reminder that there’s nothing tough about doing it on your own and not asking for help. It is important that if you’re struggling, if you’re feeling stressed or feeling down, that it’s OK to reach out for help. It’s OK to be vulnerable. It’s OK to put your hand up and say, ‘Hey, I need a hand here.’ It’s OK to not be OK.”

The West Australian

Unions unite on child mental health

WA’s three peak health sector unions called for urgent action, including the release of a comprehensive public implementation plan for all recommendations, in response to an audit of the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health System Transformation Program.

6PR

Sarah’s sunscreen message

AMA (WA) Dermatology Representative Dr Sarah Page spread the word about applying sunscreen in primary schools before lunchtime each day. “Schools are really the place where it has to happen. I think we need to really realise that sunscreen is not that fun, but it needs to be like brushing your teeth. The earlier that we start people getting used to it, the better it is. Most of the sun damage for most people is done in the early years, and the most common type of cancer in young people between the age of 18 and 24 is actually melanoma, and that’s what I see in my clinic all the time.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook

A post about a new record for May ramping figures got 23.7K views and 62 interactions.

Dr Michael Thomas’ story from the June-July Medicus about becoming a doctor after an accident left him without a functioning right arm got 20.6K views and 76 interactions.

South-West GP and AMA (WA) councillor Dr Thomas Drake-Brockman spoke to GWN about rising cases of whooping cough in the Great Southern region. A clip of their interview got 19.1K views and 181 interactions.

A post about the tragic death of Royal Hobart Hospital cardiothoracic surgery registrar Dr Artyom Avetisyan last month, and the AMA (WA)’s efforts to respond to the problems of doctor fatigue and travel safety got 12,782 impressions and 225 engagements.

A post introducing the new AMA (WA) CEO, Ms Jade Furness got 8,249 impressions and 884 engagements.

A Medicus article about AMA (WA) RACGP Representative Dr Ramya Raman’s advocacy for better healthcare outcomes for all Western Australians got 3,003 impressions and 189 engagements.