Changes to Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill Vital

The biggest survey ever conducted of WA doctors to determine their views about the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill (2019) has shown they have overwhelming concerns about the legislation currently before State Parliament, even among doctors who otherwise support Voluntary Assisted Dying.

The more than 1500 doctors who responded to the survey expressed concerns about the VAD Bill as it currently stands, with huge majorities agreeing it needed amendments in relation to its equity, safety and workability.

To continue reading, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

AMA (WA) rejects WA Health's Industrial Agreement offer

The Australian Medical Association (WA) has rejected WA Health’s offer for the replacement WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA Industrial Agreement 2016. 

Throughout the process, the AMA (WA) has continued to raise five key issues that must be addressed by the replacement agreement – permanency; portability of accrued entitlements and service; rostering and on-call provisions; Arrangement A salary for all purposes of the Agreement; and recognition of specialist qualifications.

The offer presented to the AMA (WA), five working days before the expiry of the 2016 Agreement and six months after we provided our log of claims to WA Health, fails to adequately address any of the AMA (WA)’s key claims. While it reflects a number of benefits provided to other WA Health employees, the offer proposes to reduce or limit a number of doctors’ entitlements and fails to address any issues raised relating to clinical safety or employee wellbeing.

To continue reading, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

RFDS Negotiation update

The AMA (WA) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) continue to meet to negotiate a replacement for the RFDS WA Medical Practitioners Industrial Agreement 2016. The 2016 Agreement expires on 30 September 2019, however the Agreement shall continue in force until a new Agreement is made.

The AMA (WA) will advise members as and when negotiation outcomes are agreed.  To date parties have outlined issues that they seek to address in the bargaining process and are working towards addressing these issues to the satisfaction of both parties.  

If you have any comments, questions or concerns regarding the negotiations or your industrial entitlements, please do not hesitate to contact the AMA (WA).

MBS update for GPs

The AMA (WA) hosted a GP Breakfast roundtable earlier this month, which focused on how the proposed changes to the MBS Review might benefit GPs and their patients. Chairman of the MBS Review Taskforce Professor Bruce Robinson was the keynote speaker at the breakfast meeting and he informed the audience of around 50 doctors of the progress to date along with evidence that the Review was working.

Audience members raised a number of key concerns as to why the MBS was failing to recognise and address the needs of particular patient groups in the community such as aged care, Indigenous and other vulnerable groups and rural and remote communities. The audience was also unanimous in its view that the MBS must recognise the value and economic worth of General Pratice to patient care in terms of health benefits and cost effectiveness.

GP members who would like to know more about Professor Robinson’s presentation can contact Michael Prendergast via the following email prendergast@amawa.com.au.

WA Leadership Development Seminar

The WA Leadership Development Seminar, held on Saturday 5 October at SJOG Subiaco, is an intensive whole-day program which aims to promote and develop a range of skills essential for a leader within the medical community and in a broader context.

A day of inspiring speakers, practical workshops and invaluable networking, the seminar aimed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the complex health and political issues. Part of the day also included a panel on “Everyday Leadership” including Dr Andrew Miller, Anaesthetist and AMA (WA) President and Dr Alison Soerensen, GP, AMA (WA) Co-opted Council Member and 2018 AMA (WA) Junior Doctor of the Year. 

Image credit: Andrew Metcalf Media

Curtin Association of Medical Students (CAMS) Mental Health Panel

CAMS Mental Health Panel is a key event held during mental health week. This event, held on Thursday 10 October at Curtin Medical School, saw approximately 45 medical students come together to discuss mental health. 

The night ran as a Q&A panel, tackling major issues surrounding mental health and the stigmas of mental health in both medical students and doctors. Psychiatrists, Dr Eileen Tay, Dr Roland Main and Dr Wai Chen, answered questions provided by the students around mental health issues including how to recognise certain behaviours and what steps they can take to overcome mental health for themselves, their friends, other medical students and future patients.

The AMA (WA) were once again delighted to sponsor such a fantastic event!

Update your details and help us stay in touch with you

Have you changed?

• Your place of practice
• Your contact address
• Your mobile number or email. 

Contact the AMA (WA) to ensure you are in the right membership category.

Are you:

• working part time;
• taking Maternity/Parental Leave;
• heading overseas for training/work;
• completing Fellowship exams in 2020; or
• have you completed training and are now specialised?

To update your details, phone the membership office on 9273 3055; email membership@amawa.com.au or visit the AMA (WA) website. 

AMA Corporate Travel Insurance – Discounted premium offer

The AMA Corporate Travel policy has been tailored specifically to needs of the Medical and Health Profession, with key features being

• Worldwide cover provided for both business and leisure.
• Cover includes accompanying spouse / de facto and dependent children when travelling together with, or separately, to join or leave, the insured party.
• Cover for pre-existing medical conditions, subject to policy terms and conditions.
• Access to Zurich Assist 24 hours, 365 days a year emergency service from anywhere in the world.
• Ski / Snow Sports and Charter Flights options also available.
• Up to 180 days covered per trip to a maximum trip duration of 180 days for combined business & leisure travel or 90 days for pure leisure travel.
• And many more

Click here to find out more. Please contact us on 1800 262 287 to find out more or email us on insurance@amainsurance.com.au.

GPs - Find your next role today with AMA Recruit

AMA Recruit have a range of vacancies suitable for GPs who are thinking about their next career move. Our online jobs page allows you to sort jobs by location, as well as choose the type of practices you are interested in (independent, small group, corporate, and not for profit), and opportunities to practice in your GP specialty (skin, women’s health, chronic disease, rural and remote, and many more).

There are opportunities for GP’s at the different stages of career (experienced, newly Fellowed, non-VR). Check it all out online at https://www.amarecruit.com.au/.

Medfest - Register now!

Saturday 16 November | 12.00pm - 5.00pm

WA General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET), in partnership with Rural Doctors Association of WA (RDAWA) bring you Medfest 2019, the principal rural medical career event you need to attend.

The festival program is packed with rural generalist doctors talking about their passion for rural medicine, as well as several valuable emergency skills workshops, inspiring panel discussions, and an overview of rural general practice and training in WA.

Medfest is your opportunity to meet the WAGPET team, other registrars, and like-minded peers, who will be by your side throughout your training, as well as getting to know the colleges and finding out about advanced skills posts available to you as a rural general practice and/or rural generalist registrar.

Register online here and while you're there, be sure to go and have a chat to the AMA (WA) membership team!

Embracing Carers™ launches Time Counts to give time to unpaid carers

Embracing Carers™, a global initiative led by Merck in collaboration with leading carer organisations around the world, is launching Time Counts to coincide with National Carers Week (13-19 October 2019) to encourage people to reach out to an unpaid carer they know.

Unpaid carers caring for their loved ones are the hidden pillar of our healthcare system. The replacement value of the unpaid care they provide totals $60.3 billion a year – over $1 billion per week1.

Embracing Carers™ Time Counts aims to increase awareness, discussion and action around the often-overlooked needs of these carers. There is no limit to the amount of time you can give, because time really does count.

For further information, please visit the Embracing Carers website.

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