Medicare Locals: Have your say!

The Coalition, in the lead up to the Federal election, pledged a review of Medicare Locals. This announcement was a direct response to the concerns expressed by the AMA about the design and implementation of the Medicare Local model by the former Government.

The AMA wants to know about your experiences with your Medicare Local, including your opinion of its usefulness, performance and impact on health services in your area.

We invite you to take part in an anonymous 5-minute survey so that you can share this information with us.

It is important that the new Federal Government recieves feedback from grass roots GPs, and your answers will be very helpful in preparing our response to the above review on Medicare Locals. 

The survey closes on 9 December 2013.

Statins: Trust your doctor’s advice

There is clear medical evidence that for many patients, Statins can assist in reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

The Australian Medical Association (WA) has urged patients on Statins not to change their medication or stop taking them without consulting their doctor first in a full-page ad in the West Australian.

Click here for more on this report.

An A3  size coloured poster (pictured left) will be inserted in the next edition of Medicus, and members are encouraged to use it to inform patients. 

Cardiologist and former AMA President Professor Peter Thompson and fellow cardiologist, Dr Mark Ireland have written an article on Statins for the upcoming edition of Medicus. To view the article, please click here

A patient handout on Statins published in the Australian Doctor, is also available. To view the handout, please click here.

AMA (WA) congratulates City of Perth for helping to make smoking history

The Australian Medical Association (WA) has congratulated Perth City Council for taking a giant step to making smoking history by banning smoking in Perth City's major pedestrian areas.

The combined launch by Healthway Chair Associate Professor Rosanna Capolingua and Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi was a strong indication that the majority of Perth residents were ready to take the next step to eradicate smoking in public places.

Millions of shoppers and visitors to Perth city would no longer be exposed to harmful second-hand smoke, AMA (WA) President Dr Richard Choong said.

“Smoke free public places benefit everyone – be they non-smokers who are sick and tired of second hand smoke or smokers who are trying to give up their habit,” he said.

“On behalf of the AMA I congratulate both Healthway and Perth City Council for taking this giant step for health,” he said.

To view The West Australian article, please click here.

WA ill-prepared for population surge

Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections have confirmed that Western Australia is facing a surge numbers that we are ill-prepared for, AMA (WA) President Dr Richard Choong has said.

According to the recently released data, Perth is set to become the third largest city in the nation by 2028 at 3 million people, overtaking Brisbane.

For more on this report, please click here.

GP registration to be audited

According to an article published in the Medical Observer, GPs will start having their registrations audited in February, as the Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA enter the last phase of a plan to have nationally consistent policing of health practitioner registration.

For more on this report, please click here.

AMA Calls on Audit Commission to cut red tape

Red tape is creating unnecessary and costly inefficiencies in health, and it is patients who are ultimately suffering as a result, Australian Medical Association (WA) President Dr Richard Choong has said.  

For more information, please click here

Dr YES Medical Students head South

An estimated 3000 students between Esperance and Kalgoorlie had the chance to talk about drugs, alcohol, sexual health and mental health issues when the Australian Medical Association’s Dr YES team of dedicated medical students visited their schools last week.

The award-winning Dr YES (Youth Education Sessions) encourages young people to talk about health issues that are impacting on their lives in a relaxed and non-threatening setting.

For more information, please click here.

Need to get away? Great locum doctor available!

AMA Recruit has a GP Locum available to cover December/January  2013/14 school holiday period. 

This female Vocationally Registered GP is subject to DWS so is seeking a placement in  a rural location.  She will be accompanied by her family so would prefer placements in a regional town and/or near to the coast.

If you would like to take a break and need a locum GP to cover your absence - contact Margaret Templeton at AMA Recruit, or phone 9273 3033 for more information.

15 travel insurance benefits that will guarantee you a stress free holiday!

Did you know? AMA Insurance Brokers manage an annual travel insurance scheme for AMA members and medical professionals with UNLIMITED travel.

We invite you to view the benefits the scheme provides and to call us to see how your future travel plans can be made even easier and safer.

To view the benefits, please click here. 

AMA (WA) Medical Products launches its 2013 Summer Promotion

Get together with a colleague to take advantage of our ‘buy one, get one free' offer on the EDAN H100B Handheld Pulse Oximeter or the EDAN Basic-A Handheld Fetal Doppler.

Other great offers include 25 per cent off various instruments and the EDAN SE1010 PC Based ECG at less than half price!


Click here to see the Summer Promotion.

HPV vaccine reduces cervical abnormalities that are precursors to cervical cancer

Evidence that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program is preventing cervical pre-cancer lesions in young women has been published for the first time as part of a collaborative study between the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the Victorian Cytology Service (VCS).

For more information, please visit the AIHW website.

Exclusive AMA (WA) Members offer from Sandalford Wines

Sandalford Wines is pleased to have the exclusive opportunity to provide you with a very special offer that is genuinely not available anywhere else!

What is the very special exclusive offer?

A voucher offering 40 per cent off the recommended retail price that can be used at any time until December 31 2013 when you purchase any 12 bottles of wines selected from Sandalford's Element Range, Winemakers Range, Margaret River Range, Estate Reserve and Prendiville Reserve Collections. 

For more information, please click here. 

On the Town

A wide variety of exciting events and movies are on offer in this month's On The Town.

To enter, visit AMA (WA) for your chance to win free double passes to one of these events.

Remember, AMA (WA) members have exclusive access to discounts across a wide range of goods and services. Various categories of benefits are available and these can be viewed by visiting Member Benefits.

Not a member? Join now!

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