History

The GCMA evolved from the South Coast Local Medical Association (SCLMA), which held its first meeting in 1949. At that time, there were less than 20 general practitioners operating in the region and the Foundation Members of the SCLMA numbered 11:

Initially affiliated with the Queensland Branch of the British Medical Association, the formation of the SCLMA was part of a State-wide push to get country and regional doctors more involved in BMA activities.

From the outset, the local members identified their aim as being “the promotion of the scientific, medico-political and medico-ethical interests of the members”.  Underlying this philosophy was their desire to form “a bond of union between members of the medical profession … and a medium through which their opinions may be ascertained and expressed”.

In the very first year of its existence, the Association began campaigning in favour of a Pharmaceutical Benefits scheme, highlighted to the Branch the opportunity for a pathologist to establish locally, became involved in publicity and public relations concerning medical issues (presumably the national health schemes proposed at that time), and established a regular schedule of educational presentations for members.

These activities set the Association’s agenda for the future. Its ongoing program of public campaigns, educational meetings, social events, awareness-raising activities and the championing of local medico-political causes generated strong growth in membership numbers.

Throughout the Association’s 50-plus year history, it has faced a succession of significant issues and challenges, not the least of which include:

  • Formation of the national health scheme
  • Pharmaceutical benefits contributory scheme
  • Provision of after-hours services
  • Casemix
  • Quality Assurance
  • Shortage of rural doctors and locums
  • Public waiting lists for surgery
  • Managed care
  • Bulk billing
  • The advent of the “super-clinics”
  • Punitive increases in indemnity premiums
  • Chronic under-funding of the Gold Coast Hospital

… and the list goes on.

  • Proposed construction of a new hospital away from the Southport Medical Precinct

Through all of these changes and challenges, and the various ups and downs within the Association itself, the GCMA has remained true to its original ideals and is still today the only organisation that represents the broad spectrum of medical services and specialties available in the region.

In line with the technologies now available, the GCMA website serves as another vital link between members, providing a convenient and immediate source of information about the services available in the local community.

External Communication

The GCMA disseminates regular press releases to local print, television and broadcast media in order to create public awareness of health matters and medico-political issues.

The Association has been a leader in the field of community awareness and publicity campaigns since 1985, setting the standards for other local medical associations to follow.

In recent years, major campaigns instigated by the GCMA include the Gold Coast Hospital crisis, which resulted in a public rally attended by 2000 people, as well as public campaigns on youth suicide, menopause, bowel-scan awareness and palliative care.

On 4 November 2000 the inaugural GCMA Health Expo brought together Gold Coast private health providers, institutions and related medical fraternities direct to the general public.  “Good Health” seminars provided attendees with information on topics such as cancer prevention, dental health, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and women’s health.

Local and National Political Issues

Severe under-funding of the Gold Coast Hospital has been a cause championed by the GCMA since the hospital opened in 1960. In addition to securing major grants and funding allocations from time to time, the GCMA has served as a respected voice on other key issues such as:

  • Fluoridation of local water supplies;
  • Support for junior doctors at the Gold Coast Hospital.

On a national basis, the GCMA, through its close ties with the Queensland branch of the AMA, has provided frontline feedback on:

  • Bulk billing;
  • Government proposals to restrict provider numbers for graduates;
  • Professional liability and insurance;
  • HIV testing for pre-operative patients;
  • Managed care; and
  • Introduction of new advertising laws.

Over the years, the GCMA Committee has established and maintained regular lines of communication with local, State and national politicians, as well as various media representatives, and is regarded as the pre-eminent local authority on health and medically-related issues.

Fundraising

While not a fundraising organisation, the GCMA has been inspired by the enthusiasm of individual members to field a “team” in every Gold Coast Marathon since 1991 (and the Gold Coast Triathlon in 1990).

Through sponsorship of our runners, the GCMA has raised much-needed funds for a host of local charities, including the Alcohol Rehabilitation Program, Lifeline, the Disabled Sport and Recreation Association and, in more recent years, the Gold Coast Care for Children Fund.

If you are interested in donating to the Gold Coast Care for Children Fund please contact Melissa Bromley - Secretary on 07 5534 8755. The GCCFCF donates the funds raised in their entirety to beneficiaries, with any administrative costs met by individual committee members.

SUMMARY OF GCMA COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
1989 – 2001

  Public Campaigns Activites Political Issues
1989 National Heart Attack Week – Saturday workshop at the Education Centre Post Graduate Weekend at Kooralbyn – Theme was “Infections”  
Hospitals Week – Gold Coast Hospital Open Day Winter Update Course at Charlottes Pass  
Blood alcohol testing of unconscious accident victims Bush Dance at Canungra Valley  
HIV testing for pre-operative patients    
Hepatitis B vaccination    
Opposition to the Government’s proposed “Breast Bus” program.    
Volunteers manned booths at:
  • Gold Coast Show
  • The Home Show
  • The Boat Show
  • The Jobs Expo
   
1990 Immunisation Campaign Weekend At Kooralbyn – Theme Was “Aged Care”  
  GCMA And GC Hospital Cricket Match  
  Winter Conference At Falls Creek  
  Gold Coast Triathlon  
  Xmas Dinner  
1991 Bulk billing Weekend symposium at Sea World Nara Resort − the theme was “Nutrition”  
Lifeline campaign Gold Coast Marathon raised funds for an Alcohol Rehabilitation Program  
The GP’s role in Domestic Violence − addressed at a forum. Difficulty in raising volunteers to man booths at shows.  
1992 Gold Coast Hospital – Waiting lists, insufficient facilities, and funding. Gold Coast Marathon  
Ross River virus media release and seminar Two cricket matches and a golf day  
HIB (Haemophilus) Vaccination Falls Creek Conference  
Pre Winter Flu Vaccinations    
Public Seminar at Nerang on Breast Screening.    
1993 Heart Week The Medical Ball  
Flu Vaccinations Care for Children Marathon  
1994 Men’s health —  public seminar on prostate cancer Seminar at Sea World Nara Resort – theme was “Palliative Care”.  
Snoring and sleep apnea seminar    
Bowel-scan campaign    
1995 Bowel scan Gold Coast Marathon Managed care
Seminar – professional liability and insurance    
1996 Menopause seminar Variety Club Bash Advertising standards
Bowel scan Gold Coast Marathon  
Support for junior doctors from the Gold Coast Hospital – regards to government plans to restrict provider numbers to graduates Establishment of regular meetings with politicians  
1997 Youth suicide public forum   Underfunding of Gold Coast Hospital
    New advertising laws
    Fluoridation of water supplies
1998 Underfunding of the Gold Coast Hospital    
     
1999   Introduction of “new look” magazine – The Medical Link  
     
2000   Incorporation of GCMA  
  Inaugural Community Health Expo  
  Survey of members and potential members’ needs  
2001   Visit by AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps  
     
  Public Campaigns Activites Political Issues
 

The Gold Coast Medical Association, PO Box 2163, Southport Qld 4215 Telephone: 07 5575 7054 Facsimile:07 5575 7551 Email -
© Copyright www.gcma.org.au 2006. All Rights Reserved. Website Developed by Web Design Magic