Dr Kieran Barr is a RMO currently working in MAPU at Calvary Hospital. He is a graduate of ANU (Medicine & Surgery - 2015) and University of Melbourne (Biomedicine – 2010). Dr Barr once had the privilege of holding Roger Federer’s sweaty towel when he worked as a ballkid at the Australian Open. He is also a former tractor driver, telemarketer, waiter and wardsman.

Garry Walter* and Sarah Foster*

What a fabulous article about doctors’ health by Dr Louise Stone (‘A GPs Open Letter to Young Doctors’) in last month’s issue of Canberra Doctor, imploring young doctors to have their own GP. That message resonates with a key piece of advice invariably given by the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service NSW & ACT (DHAS) to callers of our service: regardless of career stage, having one’s own GP is a plank for current and future health care needs.  

Health System Reform Needs Medical Leadership

Prof Brendan Murphy* is the Chief Medical Officer for the Australian Government

One of the reasons I took on the job of Chief Medical Officer and, before that, a Health Service CEO role, was a view that health system reform is critically dependent on good medical leadership. The aspect of medical leadership that I want to talk about tonight is in the broad area of health system sustainability.

Mental Health is Everything

All of us who provide health care for Canberrans understand the fundamental importance of mental health to our community.  In many ways, it underpins the wellbeing of society irrespective of all other issues.  Illnesses and injuries – acute and chronic – take their course against the background of our mental health and wellbeing.  For this reason, it is vital that any health system place a high priority on good mental health, and on services to work towards the best possible mental health of the community.

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Prof Nick Glasgow, speaking at the ANUMSS Graduation Ball

We often hear from Doctors in Training (DiTs) that applications for annual leave are often not approved because of insufficient cover OR the amount of leave requested is significantly reduced (again, because of insufficient cover). So the question is: in what circumstances can Canberra and Calvary hospitals refuse to grant annual leave?

Entitlement under the FW ACT and Enterprise Agreement

Once upon a time in workplace not so far away, an administrator told a group of doctors that some of their colleagues were deliberately staying back late in order to “make money”.

Did an administrator actually say this? Well, we hope it’s not true or somehow the statement was taken out of context.

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By Dr Angus Finlay*

By Dr Rebeka Stepto*

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the 2017 AMA National Conference in Melbourne. It was three days of panel discussions, political addresses and networking that ultimately came together to be a great weekend.

Political leaders

One of the main reasons Australia has our world class health system is the central role played by Family Doctors in patient care.  More than 80% of Australians will see a General Practitioner at least once every year, and GPs are the most common point of contact when Australians become ill.