By Candice Boyle
A WESTERN suburbs doctor is leading the way in one of Australia’s most influential health lobby groups.
Footscray urologist Dr Doug Travis has been elected unopposed as Victorian president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
He will play a pivotal role in the federal and state associations who provide a vital voice for Australian doctors.
Dr Travis has been serving as vice-president of AMAVictoria.
He will replace Dr Mark Yates, who has been president of the branch for the past two years.
Dr Travis said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“My aim as president is to ensure AMA Victoria continues to be a strong voice for all doctors to ensure all Victorians have access to quality healthcare,” he said.
Dr Travis said he was keen to continue AMA Victoria’s support for communities and doctors in country Victoria.
He said many of these communities faced a constant battle to retain health services and grow with the needs of the community.
“The shortage of doctors in Victoria means metropolitan and country doctors are all working extremely hard to provide quality care to an increasing number of patients,” Dr Travis said.
“I will be aiming to talk to as many doctors as possible during my presidency.”
Dr Travis works in several public and private hospitals in Melbourne and is involved in various charitable organisations, including the EJ Whitten Foundation.
Dr Travis said an immediate priority was to lobby the State Government to ensure changes to the Health Professions Regulation Act do not go ahead in July.
“These changes to all Victorian health boards will come into operation 12 months before being overridden by national changes.
“This unnecessary prolonged upheaval will put Victorians at significant risk,” he said.
Preventive healthcare and the good work being done by government to further develop in this area, in particular in the areas of obesity and men’s health will continue to remain a priority for AMA Victoria.
