25th Anniversary of the Doctor’s Dispute
The 1984 Doctor's Dispute left an indelible mark on Australian society and in particular on the psyche of health care decision makers at all levels. Unlike elsewhere, Australian doctors had demonstrated that they were not prepared to be walked over [...]
ASOS media release re QLD VMO fiasco
Chief negotiator for the Visiting Medical Officers (VMO) in the 3 year old VMO contract dispute, Dr Ross Cartmill has the complete support of the Queensland orthopaedic VMOs. The message has been conveyed to him by the QLD Chairman of [...]
Orthopaedic Groups Endorse Changes to Registration for Senior Doctors
The Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and the Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ASOS) have come out in support of the Australian Doctors' Fund's (ADF) proposal to extend the active role of senior doctors in the health service. The ADF is [...]
QLD Health is Dudding Provincial Patients Access to Specialist Services
The Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ASOS) has called on the Qld Health Minister to urgently resolve his dispute with the Qld Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs). Central to the dispute is the provision of specialist medical services to provincial centres [...]
Orthopaedic Surgeons back GP open letter
Orthopaedic surgeons are being called on by the National Chairman of the Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons Dr Gary Speck, to sign an open letter to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon raising concerns about the future of primary healthcare. The [...]
Surgeons tell Ms Roxon to Stay Out of Operating Theatre
"Sermons by Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon concerning choice of joint replacement are unhelpful and inaccurate", Chairman of Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr Gary Speck said in Melbourne today. Dr Speck rejected the claim attributed to Ms Roxon in [...]
Australian Orthopaedic Association Dinner to Honour Dr Bruce Shepherd AM
Marriott Sydney Harbour Hotel Dr John Harrison 21 August 2009 Tonight we honour a man and a great Australian who was both prescient and courageous. In the words of JFK, at a moment in time, Bruce Shepherd, Orthopaedic surgeon, effectively [...]
Patients Denied Access to Doctors???
This article Appeared in the SMH - 10 Jan 2009 Casualties of a sick system Julie Robotham Medical Editor January 10, 2009 A WESTMEAD Hospital scheme designed to slash costs and improve performance statistics by getting patients out of ambulances [...]
Submission: Health Workforce Australia Bill 2009 Submission
Submitted by Dr Gary Speck Chairman Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons Mr Elton Humphery Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 10 June 2009 Dear Mr Humphery Re: Health Workforce Australia [...]
The Deaf and Doctors: A Shepherd’s Two Flocks
POWER OF ONE Bruce D Shepherd Working on behalf of deaf children and for the independence of the medical profession The Medical Journal of Australia MJA - Volume 187 Number 11/12 - 3/17 December 2007 www.mja.com.au Power of One As [...]
Orthopaedic Surgeons Warn Against Health Fund Managed Care
"Attempts to force patients to demand cheaper prostheses by price discrimination of some implant products could be counter productive to good clinical care," Chairman, Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr Gary Speck said in Melbourne today. "It seems everyone including [...]
Council of Procedural Specialists Public Statement on the Productivity Commission’s Research Report (PCRR), Australia’s Health Workforce December 2005
COPS acknowledges the PCRR’s observations (pg 1) that “Australians have among the highest life expectancies in the world – including when disability adjusted for years of good health. Yet total of health care spending as % of GDP is not [...]