Australian Medical Association (WA)

22/04/2026

In case you missed it, AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath spoke to Four Corners about why some WA postcodes have significantly higher rates of ADHD prescribing than other parts of Australia.

Dr Hoath explains that WA has historically had higher rates of ADHD treatment, both in children and adults, than other states.

"With the increase in ADHD awareness and, therefore, diagnosis and treatment, as a whole, it has lifted the country up, which has kept WA proportionally ahead," he said.

21/04/2026

Be among the first to hear insights from the 2026 Hospital Health Check survey at the Hospital Health Check: Intern Pathways Breakfast. 🩺

Join us on Tuesday 5 May, where you can also get practical guidance to help you navigate the intern application process with confidence.

The event is free for AMA (WA) members. For full event details and to register, see the comments.

21/04/2026

Western Australia is lagging behind in the national fight against illicit to***co, according to a new report released by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH).

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath said to***co is a scourge on the public health system and a tragedy for those who become hooked on this pernicious drug.

“Tobacco-related conditions account for tens of thousands of bed days across the system,” he said.

“We need every advantage to help reduce the familiar surge in respiratory illness that winter brings. Last winter there was record ambulance ramping, systemic bed block, and doctors pushed to the brink. We can’t have another winter like 2025, and the fight against to***co is a significant part of ensuring that is the case.”

WA has made some progress on illicit to***co, with recent reforms introducing tougher penalties, now among the highest in the country, as well as closure orders for offending businesses.

The AMA (WA) supports ACOSH in calling for tighter controls across the entire supply chain, including stronger requirements for licensed wholesalers and retailers, as well as a ban on online to***co sales to better protect young people.

20/04/2026

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath has a theory on why some WA postcodes have significantly higher rates of ADHD prescribing than other parts of Australia.

It's part of the discussion in tonight's episode of Four Corners.

18/04/2026

Chinese car maker BYD has announced it will bring an extra 30,000 new energy vehicles – both full battery electric and plug in hybrids – to Australia through May and June.

According to EV website The Driven, BYD, which has overtaken Tesla as the most popular electric brand in Australia and announced this week it had delivered its 100,000th NEV in Australia, says the new initiative will support essential workers who need cost-effective transport to get around.

These include doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers, police, fire, ambulance and SES volunteers. It says the move is important given the soaring cost of petrol and diesel, and the uncertainty over long-term supplies (particularly after the dramatic fire on one of Australia’s two refineries).

17/04/2026

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath has welcomed the availability of needle-free flu vaccines for children, to help WA manage this year's flu season.

Dr Hoath is warning Western Australians that we have to lift vaccination rates now or risk more pressure on hospitals in the coming months.

"Vaccinations have saved millions and millions of lives across the globe and will continue to do so but if we have this drop in vaccination rates, we will see illnesses return to our communities," he said.

The spray is available from your local GP and Aboriginal health services.

16/04/2026

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath has backed calls for greater transparency in health spending, after another $500 million was added to the State Government's hospital infrastructure fund. The figure was part of an announcement ahead of the State Budget, which includes an additional $1.5 billion in health infrastructure.

Dr Hoath expressed concern that costs have escalated so rapidly, just months after these projects were announced.

“Our members understand the reality of rising construction and fuel costs. We live in interesting times thanks to what is happening internationally.

"That said, we are mindful that such blowouts risk diverting funds away from frontline care unless carefully managed,” he said.

15/04/2026

Watch AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen give her National Press Club address at 12:30 today on ABC TV, or any time on ABC iview.

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen gearing up for the National Press Club address in Canberra today. Dr McMullen will talk about the cumulative impact of the stresses facing Australia's healthcare system and the need for evidence-based reform. Dr McMullen will warn against the introduction of ill-thought through policies that open multiple front doors to the system and put patients at risk.

Dr McMullen will also launch the AMA's 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission.

Read the budget submission 👉🔗https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-pre-budget-submission-2026-2027

14/04/2026

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath spoke to 7 News about the shocking levels of violence and aggression faced by our hospital workers.

"It irreparably damages our ability to deliver healthcare services when our frontline staff are afraid or being abused, or are in a position where they just don't feel comfortable or safe coming to work," says Dr Hoath.

There were more than 4,000 assaults on doctors and nurses last year. These Department of Health figures, which have been collated summarily for the first time, reveal the attacks that health staff had to endure, including biting, spitting, punching, and even sexual assaults.

The AMA (WA) will keep advocating for our members, and we'll work with the State Government to keep our doctors and health professionals safe at work.

14/04/2026

AMA (WA) FACEM representatives and AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath met with Director General and AMA (WA) member Dr Shirley Bowen this morning to discuss the challenges faced by AMA (WA) members working in the State's emergency departments.

The request for the meeting was in the context of the recent announcement of the State's 'Winter Strategy'.

The discussion focused on our members' concerns with long-term workforce planning.

AMA (WA) representatives also made constructive suggestions regarding immediate initiatives that could be implemented to support members this winter.

Dr Hoath and Dr Bowen are pictured with Emergency Medicine Council Representative Dr Cassandra Host, and Dr Kate Wheadon.

10/04/2026

In some good news, March ambulance ramping is significantly lower compared to the same time last year.

St John recorded 4,590 hours, compared to 5,460 hours in March 2025, a reduction of 870 hours. The number is also down from February, in which there were 4,912 hours of ramping.

Get a full breakdown of ramping stats for individual hospitals here https://pulse.ly/fu3qbumn5h

09/04/2026

When it comes to road safety, prevention is better than cure.

AMA (WA) President Dr Kyle Hoath spoke to Channel 7 News about WA's road safety efforts, after five people died on our roads over the Easter weekend.

Dr Hoath said that there aren't enough hospital resources to deal with this sort of spike in road accidents, but that there shouldn't need to be either. We need to ensure that everyone is safe on our roads.