The end of the financial year often marks renewal time for association memberships and NASOG is no different. This year we are working pro-actively on a number of issues that impact our profession. If you are not already a NASOG member, I encourage you to join now and add your voice to our advocacy.
The Issues
Over recent years the issue of large out of pocket costs due to inadequate rebates from Medicare and health funds as well as lack of indexation, has seen the erosion of the private sector in Australia especially affecting the area of women’s health.
We are at a watershed point now, and ongoing insufficient funding of women’s health by successive governments, is causing an existential threat to the viability of Australian women being able to choose private services.
An area of real concern is the spectre of managed care, which needs a strong and united front across all medical specialities. If the health funds are able to get managed care off the ground for maternity, it will only be a matter of time until all areas of healthcare are affected. Once again in medical politics, obstetrics and gynaecology is the canary in the mine and where future political problems first show their face.
NASOG is committed to ensuring the survival and success of independent, private obstetrics and gynaecology services in Australia. We aim to capitalise on the ability of our healthcare system to be responsive to need and show initiative, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Actions
In November 2019, a new leadership team took over at NASOG. We have been working hard since then to establish new approaches, partners and benefits for the association.
In the past 6 months we have directed activity toward:
- Collaboration with key medical representative organisations to oppose and stem the frightening prospect of obstetric Managed Care models being rolled out in Australian private hospitals.
- Regular communication with both the Health Minister and the Shadow Health Minister’s offices as well as Government and opposition Parliamentarians.
- Meetings with Chief Medical Officer and the department on how best to improve affordability and survival of women’s access to private obstetric care.
- Signing an MOU with RANZCOG to officially recognize and embed the crucial roles our organisations have in maintaining and strengthening our profession.
Your Support is Important
In the next 12 months, it is vital that NASOG receives the ongoing support of the profession so that we can put in place a full-time CEO and Secretariat support to further our ability to:
- Ensure the voice of the obstetrics and gynaecology profession is heard in negotiations that aim ultimately to improve for the women of Australia, an affordable way of accessing care in the private sector.
- Expand mutually beneficial relationships with other associations and societies, both medical and consumer.
- Build capacity through our networks to help members with specific practice challenges.
- Escalate the issues of access and affordability for private care through Parliamentary and bureaucratic networks.
Membership Subscriptions for 2020/21
We understand that annual membership of several representative organisations can be a financial burden when your practice income is under pressure. This may have caused you to drop NASOG membership in the past.
To relieve some financial pressure, NASOG has lowered the standard membership subscription to $600 per annum (plus GST)
We have also introduced further membership savings if you are an AGES member, retired from practice or just wish to contribute to our work without accessing any member rights or benefits.
In Conclusion
BEING PART OF NASOG HAS SIMPLY NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT!
We need to build our capacity, the more members we have, the more we can drive the future of our profession.
A/Prof Gino Pecoraro
President
Contact me: president@nasog.org.au