Council news: creating a more connected health system
AMA SA Council considered a range of priorities affecting doctors, patients and the broader South Australian health system at its meeting on 24 September. A consistent theme was the need for stronger coordination between primary, community and hospital care, particularly as general practice continues to manage the consequences of delayed access to aged care, mental health, outpatient and chronic disease services.
Council discussed practical measures to improve communication between GPs and hospital-based clinicians. Priorities include more timely discharge summaries and outpatient correspondence, clearer waiting-list information, improved pathways for specialist advice and direct admission, and rapid review alternatives to emergency department presentation. Council noted that many of these priorities align with recommendations arising from previous AMA SA Health Round Table discussions. Despite broad recognition of the issues and support for reform, progress in implementing practical measures to improve communication and care coordination has been limited. Council emphasised the importance of translating these longstanding recommendations into tangible action that improves integration between primary care and hospital services and delivers better outcomes for patients and frontline clinicians. Council also supported greater GP involvement in advance care planning to help reduce avoidable hospital transfers from residential aged-care facilities.
Access to specialist care remains a major focus. Council considered the significant challenges facing public dermatology services, including delays in paediatric eczema management and skin cancer assessment, limited outpatient capacity and workforce shortages. Members supported expanding teledermatology services, establishing structured specialist advice pathways for rural GPs and strengthening dermatology education. The discussion reinforced the need for a coordinated statewide approach to specialist access, affordability, referral pathways and equitable access for rural communities.
Other priorities included advocacy on road safety issues relating to personal mobility devices, e-bikes, speed and injury severity.
Council also discussed opportunities to strengthen engagement with medical students from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University. Members supported the development of a clearly defined relationship with the proposed South Australian medical student councils, including opportunities for mentoring, governance support and ongoing engagement with the medical profession.
Council was provided with an update on the progress of local AI scribe trials and noted the growing interest in technologies that may help reduce administrative burden for clinicians. Members emphasised the importance of robust data security, clinician oversight, transparent evaluation processes and clear information about vendor data management. AMA SA will continue to advocate for responsible innovation that supports clinical practice while maintaining patient safety and professional accountability.