AMSA reaffirms stance against Curtin Medical School proposal

The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) is reaffirming its call for a ban on new medical schools, including Curtin University’s proposal, until all students currently in the system can be guaranteed high quality clinical training and internships.

AMSA President Mr James Churchill warned today that further increases in medical student numbers may jeopardise the quality of clinical training and result in doctors being unemployed and unable to serve their communities’ needs.

“We must consider the continuum of medical education in workforce planning, from medical school right through to basic hospital and specialist training, to ensure that we are training the right number of medical students and that the quality of the medical workforce is maintained,” Mr Churchill said ... more.

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More support needed for IMG

The AMA has welcomed the release of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing’s ‘Lost in the Labyrinth’ report into registration processes and support for international medical graduates (IMGs), also known as overseas trained doctors.

Federal AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton, said that the AMA values the immense contribution that IMGs make to the Australian health system.

“We are pleased that the Committee consulted extensively, including with the AMA, in its examination of how IMGs enter the system, how they are treated in it, and what can be done to improve their conditions and maximise their contribution to Australian communities,” Dr Hambleton said ... more.

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Applying Lean Thinking to your Practice

The AMA National Conference 2012 will be hosting a two-part workshop on applying lean thinking to your practice. See more of what is planned over the two and half day event.

For the first time the National Conference is open to all doctors, not just AMA members or invited delegates.

We hope you can join us in Melbourne, from the 25-27 of May 2012 for the AMA National Conference.

For more information on the National Conference please visit the AMA Federal website or contact Theresa Schultz on 02 6270 5474 or email at natcon@ama.com.au.

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Rights of Private Practice

The AMA (WA) has recently received a number of queries regarding rights or Private Practice for State Public Sector full time, 0.8 and sessional practitioners operating under Arrangement A.

As a consequence of incorrect advice being given by some managers, the Association sought and received additional advice from Medicare relating to supervision requirements for procedural trainees services to bona fide private patients to attract Medicare benefits is also included. Separate advice in repect to retrospective billing is also provided in this Industrial Update... more.

This is a members' only section. Not a member? Join now!

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Online Poll - PCEHR

The AMA Council of General Practitioners recently reaffirmed the need for the AMA to push for appropriate remuneration for GPs to recognise the additional workload involved in preparing health summary for PCEHR. In line with this the AMA is currently running a poll asking should the AMA develop its own schedule of fees to support the PCEHR?

Cast your vote.

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AMA Doctors Health Survey

Federal AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, wrote to AMA members recently advising that the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has released a consultation paper seeking views on a proposal for the MBA to provide funding to an external organisation to deliver doctors health advisory services. The consultation paper is available from the MBA’s website.

The AMA is keen to ensure that doctors have access to appropriate support services, particularly in times of distress. However, the MBA is also proposing an increase in medical registration fees to cover the cost of providing funding support for these services. It appears likely that the increase would be around $25 per annum or more, based on the costs of running the Victorian Doctors’ Health Program.
 

Given the extent to which medical registration fees have risen since national registration arrangements came into place and the lack of transparency with respect to the finances of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the proposal to increase fees further is a controversial one. It is unclear to the AMA why such an increase is necessary, particularly given the extent to which medical boards previously supported local doctors health advisory services.

The AMA will be drawing on the feedback received from members about the perceived importance of doctors’ health advisory services, the types of services they should provide and how they should be funded in the future in preparing its response to the MBA discussion paper.

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MBS Interpretations

The AMA has been working with the Department of Human Services to improve the mechanism by which doctors or their staff can get written interpretations of MBS items.

The Department of Human Services this week announced the introduction of a new email address – askmbs@humanservices.gov.au.

This new service will enable health professionals to send MBS interpretation questions and receive the responses via email. The AMA encourages GPs and their staff to use the new service when they have a specific query on the applicability of an MBS item to a particular service and to retain the responses as record of the advice received.

The Provider Enquiry Line is still available and should be used for enquiries not requiring a written interpretation of an MBS item.

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Voice your opinion!

AMA (WA)'s latest web poll question is: Should police provide regular public reports on their use of Tasers, including the number of subsequent hospitalisations and / or need for medical attention?

Visit AMA (WA) and voice your opinion on this topic. Keep checking the AMA (WA) website for the latest news and information.

If you have a suggestion for a poll question, please email medelink@amawa.com.au.

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2012 Clinical Conference

Places are filling fast for the AMA (WA) Clinical Conference to Buenos Aires and the Post Conference tour to Peru and Santiago, Chile. There are a few updates to information previously published, including two nights in Santiago at the end of the Post Conference tour, which replaces two nights in Lima on the original itinerary.

For the full conference itinerary, including costs and other inclusions, visit the AMA (WA) website.

For more information, contact Chris Kane on 9273 3060.

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2012 Awards Night and Charity Gala Dinner

The AMA (WA) will hold its prestigious 2012 Charity Dinner and Awards Night on 7 July at the State Reception Centre, Kings Park.

The gala evening celebrates the achievements of the WA medical profession and recognises the significant contribution to medicine by one or more association members with the presentation of the AMA(WA) Award.

For information regarding tickets for the evening visit the website, or please contact Liz Gray on 9273 3027.

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Members' Footy Tipping competition

The AMA (WA) would like to invite you to join our Members' Footy Tipping Competition.

Joining is simple! Email Joshua Hummerston to receive your official invite with a link to AMA (WA) Members' Footy Tipping Competition.

Great prizes including a FREE 2013 AMA (WA) Membership donated by AMA Financial Services

Show your tipping skills and join today!

For more information, contact Josh Hummerston on 9273 3054 or John Gerrard on 9273 3077.

Good luck!

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Calling all musical medicos

Western Australia Doctors' Orchestra (WADO) is looking for musical doctors to join the group.

Rehearsals start in late July on Saturday afternoons, culminating in WADO's performance on 9 September. All funds raised will go to WADO's nominated charity - Autism West.

The Orchestra will be conducted by Mark Coughlan, past head of music at UWA.

For more information, please contact Lynda Chadwick by Friday 27 April.

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Director of Industrial / Legal position

The AMA (WA) is currently looking for a talented professional to join the AMA (WA) as Director Industrial/Legal.

It is envisaged that the sucessful candidate will be a strategic thinker, possess exceptional leadership and communication skills and ideally have an understanding of the health sector.

For more information, contact Noelle Jones or phone 9273 3000.

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Senior Policy Officer position

AMA (WA) is seeking to appoint an experienced person for the newly created role of Senior Policy Officer.

As a member for the Executive team, the successful applicant will be required to provide leadership and management input into the development of AMA (WA) strategies and policies.

For more information, contact Noelle Jones or phone 9273 3000.

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Regional GP Careers information sessions

Are you an Intern or RMO working at a regional hospital? Interested in finding out about rural GP training and/or prevocational GP placement opportunities?

If so, join WAGPET at your regional hospital to hear first hand from GP registrars and WAGPET Medical Educators about rural GP Training.

Find your nearest GP Careers Information Session.

For more information contact gpcareers@wagpet.com.au

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Locums wanted

Are you able to provide locum relief for doctors in an inner metro GP practice in need of a well earned break? Short term or sessional relief is welcomed.

Please contact Margaret Templeton on 9273 3033 for more information.

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