The State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony

It is the responsibility of the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony to look after the interests of all their members and to represent them. They carry out this task according to the specific aims of the profession, while considering the common well-being and always securing the good reputation of the medical profession. Furthermore, the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony assures that all members fulfil the Medical Associations Professional Code as well as the professional legal agreements of the profession. At the same time, they ensure the high quality of the medical practice and maintain the good atmosphere amongst the members. In cases of disputes concerning the medical practice, the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony can act as a mediator if the parties wish so. They can be called upon in cases of disputes between members or members and third parties. The State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony does not make decisions regarding registration or loss of the medical licence. This is part of the juristic competence of the Regional Councils.

The Academy for Advanced and Vocational Training (AAVT) at the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony takes measures to support the advanced and vocational training of the members. AAVT also issues certificates concerning vocational training.

Pursuant the rules of the Vocational Training Act, the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony is responsible for the professional training and exams of the doctors´ receptionists. They also certify specialized competencies for the physicians after completion of the Medical Sub-specialty Examination.

The State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony supports the Public Health Services in the fulfilment of their tasks. According to the "Ruling concerning Medical Practice, Professional Organization and Professional Jurisdiction of Physicians, Dentists, Vets and Chemists (SächsHKaG)", they fulfil sovereign tasks, always aiming to provide a good service. In addition to their responsibilities for the Medical Associations Professional Code and professional jurisdiction, the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony informs their members about current topics. They therefore publish, on a monthly basis, the magazine "Ärzteblatt Saxony", which contains articles about the professional organization and politics, official statements, announcements of the District Offices and medical articles. Legally, the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony acts under the supervisory authority of the Saxon State Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Youth and Family.

The State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony consists of two instruments: the Association Assembly and the Executive Committee. All members engaged in State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony instruments and bodies work on an honorary base.

The State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony Association Assembly consists of 101 elected members. One Member from the teaching staff of the Leipzig University Medical Faculty and one from Dresden University also belong to the Association Assembly (AA). The AA decides on basic matters of the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony. Primarily, they decide on the main statutes, further statutes including an election statute, the schedule for fees and charges, the Medical Associations Professional Code, Advanced Training Ordinance for Doctors, registration rules, budget evaluations, release of the Executive Committee based on the presented annual report and annual balance, State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony suggestions for the Tribunals for the Medical Profession, as well as on all matters State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony is responsible for by law or by statute.

A members are obliged to perform their honorary position with active involvement and conscientiousness. They are representatives for all State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony members and are not bound to any tasks or rulings.
According to the main statutes, the AA elects delegates for the Assembly of German Physicians, the main assembly of the German Medical Association. Usually, the AA meets twice a year in Dresden. Physicians entitled to vote elect the members of AA by postal vote. This election is carried out according to the basic rules of a direct, free, equal and secret ballot. The term of office lasts four years and is completed when a new AA meets.

In their election statute, State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony has defined details of the election process, including the key for distribution of the AA-seats between the constituencies. The AA elects out of their members the president, vice-president and all other members of the Executive Committee in seperate and secret ballots.

The honoraray Executive Committee (EC) of the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony consists of 11 members including president and vice-president. The time in office entails four years and corresponds with that of the AA. The EC executes the decisions of the AA, manages administration routines and all matters for which EC is responsible by law or by statute. The president represents the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony, especially concerning all legal affairs and relations to political and social institutions. In case of absence, this is carried out by the vice-president. When the vice-president is also unable to come, the EC member of highest age takes his position. The president is a member of the German Medical Association Executive Committee.

Normally, the EC meets once a month for an executive meeting. It decides on all current matters concerning the Professional Code, professional jurisdiction, administration and finances. In their decisions the EC considers the recommendations of their bodies and specialist teams. The bodies are coordinated by the management.

All political districts in Saxony and Saxon towns, which are administrative districts in their own right, have set up District Medical Associations. These associations are State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony subdivisions and do not act autonomously. District Medical Associations (DMA) act under the supervisory authority of the State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony. Within their regions, DMA's fulfill tasks of the "Ruling concerning Medical Practice, Professional Organization and Professional Jurisdiction of Physicians, Dentists, Vets and Chemists (SächsHKaG)". These tasks include the performance of all professional matters of their members, supervision concerning the Medical Associations Professional Code and ethics, support of advanced and vocational training as well as mediation in cases of disputes among members and between members and third parties.

The AA has set up committees to prepare their meetings and to support the EC with specialized knowledge. Together with those committees, the EC sets up certain (temporary) specialist teams to provide information on specific subjects and tasks. Such subjects may include problems of advanced and vocational training, ethics, problems of younger colleagues and female colleagues, senior colleagues, finances, the Saxon Medical Professions Aid Fund and numerous other fields.