From the president

Professor David Ellwood President

I am pleased to be able to present my first report as President of the AMC in a year when there has been much to celebrate and applaud.

First and foremost, in meeting our commitment to ensure culturally safe practice to improve health outcomes, the AMC established an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Committee as a Standing Committee under Article 12.1(h) of its Constitution, it increased Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori representation on Council and on AMC committees, and it launched its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. These are, and will continue to be, landmark changes for the AMC and for the Australian community.

There were many other achievements as detailed in the Highlights section and throughout this Report. Importantly, all of the AMC’s work and any position or decision it reaches are based on sound science, research and governance, underpinned by data, consultation, expert opinion and review. This process is critical to maintaining the AMC’s integrity and is non-negotiable. It is underpinned by the AMC’s highly trained and professional staff and the governance applied to every AMC committee and process.

In 2018-19 the AMC commenced reviews of its Constitution, Board composition, membership, policies, committees and terms of reference. The creation of the new Standing Committee and the membership changes endorsed by Council at the June General meeting were important components of this process. These governance reviews will continue over 2019-20 to ensure that the AMC is operating under best practice as well as ensuring it has the right people, and the right number of people, contributing through Council, the Board and AMC committees.

To this end, it is important for the AMC to have the right membership base and, more importantly, that these members are able to contribute effectively. As a company limited by guarantee, AMC members – the Council – have an important yet somewhat limited role, such as appointing the Directors. It continues to be an AMC priority to increase the involvement of our members in AMC activities. The presentations, workshops, discussions and site visits at AMC’s General and Annual General Meetings provide Council with input to AMC issues and, just as important, with information to take back to their networks and communities. Council’s role as a conduit of information and a barometer of the medical landscape is vital to AMC.

We will continue to look at ways to increase engagement with members and for members to both inform and challenge the AMC and the status quo.

The contribution of Council members as participants at AMC workshops and summits, on AMC committees and working parties, as members of assessment teams, and as Directors, enhances the AMC’s capabilities. Thank you to all who have so willingly offered their time and perspectives to the AMC over the year. Your contributions have shaped AMC’s direction. Without doubt, the complexity of issues and the volume of work, and therefore the range of committees, will continue to grow.

I would like to thank AMC’s CEO, Mr Philip Pigou, for his leadership and stewardship, and the AMC staff for their continued commitment to excellence.

I would like to thank Deputy President, Professor Kate Leslie AO, for her assistance over the year, and the AMC Directors for their dedication, expertise, time commitment, and collegiality, as well as for the differences of perspective and opinion that they bring to the table.

Disruption, which has been a key theme at many conferences this year, will continue to be a major influencer not just in the medical profession directly, but in every aspect of business. AMC will need to ensure it remains current and agile and continues to provide value in all aspects of its business. I look forward to being part of this process in the year ahead.

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the Directors and Council of the AMC, I would like to acknowledge and formally thank the following people for their contributions to AMC:

Associate Professor Jill Sewell – Retiring President 2018 AGM Jill took up leadership of the AMC in 2015, following six years as a Director. She also chaired the Specialist Education Accreditation Committee for six years, was a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee from 2010, a member of the Recognition of Medical Specialties Sub-Committee, and member of the 2003 and 2006 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) assessment teams. As President, Jill represented the AMC at a number of national forums including the National Medical Training Advisory Network, the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, Health Professions Accreditation Collaborative Forum and various executive events.

Dr Greg Kesby, Associate Professor Kim Rooney, and Dr Jules Catt – Retiring Directors 2018 AGM Dr Greg Kesby served on the AMC from 2011 and as Director for two years; Associate Professor Kim Rooney was a member of the Council and Director from 2011; and Dr Jules Catt was a member of Council from 2014 and a Director in 2017-18.

Members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Māori Strategy Group: Mr Gregory Phillips (Chair), Professor Shaun Ewen, Dr Artiene Tatian, Dr Tammy Kimpton, Dr Justin Gladman, Professor Papaarangi Reid, Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver AM, Professor Eleanor Milligan, Emeritus Professor David Prideaux While the AMC’s journey will continue through the new Standing Committee, reaching this point was only possible through the work of the Strategy Group over many years.