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:
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| 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 |