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Welcome to the AMA's online newsletter

18 October 2019 Issue # 129

Feedback on Med e-link (WA) is welcomed. Send your views to medelink@amawa.com.au .

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.

 

Youth Friendly Doctor - Mental Health: Psychosocial Wellbeing

Tuesday 22 October | 6.00pm - 8.30pm

 

This core Youth Friendly Doctor workshop addresses care planning and coordination of pharmacological, psychological and social interventions for adolescents, establishing skills in the medication management of common psychiatric disorders and safe prescribing. This module equips doctors with approaches to psychosocial interventions for adolescents and their families and knowledge of common practical psychological techniques for clinical practice.

 

For further information or to register online, please visit the AMA (WA) website

 

FREE CPR for members

Wednesday 23 October | 6.00pm - 9.00pm 

 

With only a couple of months remaining in the 2017 – 2019 triennium, it's time to complete your CPR if you have not already done so. 

 

The AMA is delivering 3 hour courses for GPs requiring CPR training to meet practice accreditation requirements. The learning outcome of this unit provides the participant with a nationally recognised unit of competency: HLTAID001 – Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

 

The course will cover:

  • Assessing the situation and responding to the signs of an unconscious casualty
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation following Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines
  • Defibrillation awareness

This program attracts 5 category 2 RACGP points.

 

For further information or to register online, please visit the AMA Training website

 

Common Risks in Medical Practice

Tuesday 29 October | Light refreshments from 6.00pm, workshop from 6.30pm

 

Presented by Gae Nuttall, Risk Adviser, MDA National, this session will discuss the med-legal risks for medical practice including:

  • Medical care and treatment; practice support systems
  • Managing complaints
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Medicare compliance and;
  • Advertising and social media.

This workshop is free for AMA (WA) members and their staff members/colleagues, $50 for non-members. 

 

For further information or to register online, please visit the AMA (WA) website

 

Australasian Doctors' Health Conference 2019

Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November

 

The Australasian Doctors Health Conference (ADHC) is being held in Perth on 22 and 23 November 2019. These conferences have been held biennially in Australia and New Zealand for nearly 20 years, with 2019 being the first time the event will take place in WA.

 

The theme is the important topic of “Creating a Healthy Workplace”. This will be relevant to doctors at all stages of their career, from medical students, to doctors in training, to doctors established in their chosen career. A particular focus will be looking at the impact of the work environment on a doctor’s health, be they a solo private practitioner or working in a large tertiary hospital. Issues will include the effect of medical culture on work life balance, bullying and harassment, and physical and mental health problems. The conference will also be relevant to anyone involved in the training or management of doctors.


Key note speakers include Professor Fiona Wood, Professor Geoff Riley, Dr Nikki Stamp and Dr Geoff Toogood (Crazy Socs for Docs).

 

For further information or to register, please visit the Rural Health West website

 

Fundraising event: Trowbridge Gallery

Thursday 5 December | 5.00pm - 8.00pm

 

Trowbridge Gallery Claremont cordially invites you to celebrate the joy of Christmas in a festive, lively atmosphere.

 

20% of all sales donated to Solaris Cancer Care.

 

This is the perfect opportunity to support a great cause and pick up beautiful, unique and thoughtful Christmas gifts for your loved ones.


Trowbridge Gallery is the only antique print Gallery in Western Australia, specialising in original prints from the 17th to 20th century.

 

Subject areas are wide and varied including early maps, charts and prints of Western Australia, John Gould birds and mammals of Australia, medical, architectural, flora, musical, sporting and decorative prints to name a few.

 

Where: 52F Old Theatre Lane, Bay View Terrace, Claremont WA

RSVP: Please RSVP online here. Attendance is complimentary. 

 

10 YEARS/100,000KM Free Scheduled Servicing with BMW for AMA (WA) members

BMW is delighted to offer 10 YEARS/100,000KM Free Scheduled Servicing for AMA (WA) members* on all purchases of a new BMW or new MINI from 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019 and delivered by 31 December 2019.

 

*Complimentary basic scheduled servicing, including Vehicle Check, is valid from date of first registration for whichever comes first of 10 years/100,000kms, and is based on BMW Condition Based Servicing or Service Interval Indicator, as appropriate. Normal wear and tear items and other exclusions apply. Servicing must be conducted by an authorised BMW dealer. Consult your preferred BMW dealer for further terms and conditions. Proof of membership via AMA WA will be required.


Contact Corporate Sales Manager Zoe Nieuwhof 08 9311 7533 or email zoe.nieuwhof@autoclassic.com.au.

 

WIN double pass to Karen Carpenter Christmas Special!

Sunday 1 December | 6.15pm 

 

Brother and sister duo Richard and Karen Carpenter kept a generation spellbound with their vocal harmonies and Karen’s unique voice brought a new dimension to the world of popular pop and became one of the most popular artists in the world in the 1970’s with a string of major hits.

An Evening Celebrating Karen Carpenter – is a magical night of music and memories with Narelle and her 8-piece band and backing singers, featuring the wonderful songs that the Carpenters made famous, such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays.” “Top of the World,” and of course “Close to You” interwoven with narration and a stunning multi-media presentation.


The performance will also feature a few songs from the “Carpenters’ Christmas” album, a perfect way to commence your festive season.
 
“Brilliant, world class entertainment performed with great sincerity and respect.”  … Dean Clairs – 94.5

“Narelle Belle’s voice gave me goose bumps.”  … Gillian O’Shaughnessy – ABC Radio

 

To go into the draw to win a double pass, please email Des.Michael@amawa.com.au by Friday 1 November. 

 

Write in and win

Got something to say? We would love to hear from you!

The AMA (WA)'s publication Medicus is calling on all members to send through any letters they would like to share with the profession. 

Write to us (200 words max) at medicus@amawa.com.au - the best letter will win anything from movie/theatre tickets to bottles of wine. 


 


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