The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) and the Australian Medical Association (WA) are working together to bring a COVID-safe workplace and a COVID-ready workforce to the top of the WA Government’s agenda.

The reopening of WA's borders, along with the recent arrival of multiple COVID-19 infected cargo ships, with some crew being allowed directly into the community, and others visiting hospitals, are timely reminders of the daily risk for WA’s COVID-19 bubble.

Thank you to all the public hospital doctors who have shared with us their experience within WA Health. Your stories are shining a light on the unsettling reality of the way WA’s public hospital system is managed - with retribution, fear and even dishonesty being used to control your voice and advocacy. We will not let that happen.

Spread the word amongst your colleagues if you haven’t already and encourage them to share their experiences with us - your stories will inform our advocacy and underpin our determination to effect change.

You may have been unfairly impacted by management decision-making. You may be on a contract of less than five years. You may have lost your leave entitlements because you transferred between employers for the sake of furthering your medical training.

All of this puts your wellbeing at stake. It rates patient outcomes below bureaucratic will. Yet the State Government doesn’t think this impacts you. Help us to help you, as we raise our collective voice against the indiscriminate nature of WA Health policies and hold the bureaucracy to account.

The AMA (WA) has joined other leading Western Australian health agencies to call on the State Government to immediately end junk food advertising on government property. This followed the release of a compelling report that shows it is not only feasible, but essential in protecting WA kids from the predatory tactics of the junk food industry.

AMA (WA) President Dr Andrew Miller said the policy, if adopted by the government, also had the potential to contribute significant savings to the health system.

“Obesity-related illnesses are set to cost our WA hospitals over $610 million a year by 2026, yet the government is still selling advertising space to the very companies and products that are making us sick,” Dr Miller said.

“WA’s most trusted health agencies are standing together on this issue, and we implore the State Government to stand with us.”

Last week, the AMA (WA) held its annual Intern Celebration at the Flour Factory in Perth. The event was a huge success, with ticket sales reaching capacity.

Current interns and those joining in 2021 enjoyed an evening of cocktails and canapes as they mingled with friends, colleagues and councillors. Dr Megge Beacroft, Co-Chair of the AMA (WA) Doctors in Training Committee addressed guests as did AMA (WA) President and CEO, Dr Andrew Miller and Dr Bennie Ng respectively. Look out for the full report in the upcoming edition of Medicus. 

Thanks to everyone who attended the event and our sponsors for the night - Avant, Rural Health West, Ramsay Health Care, WAGPET, HBF, MDA National, SJG Health Care and Bankwest.

To view photos from the event click here.

The perception that anyone working in the medical profession is likely to be financially secure is not always true. For this reason, the AMA Benevolent Fund of WA was established many years ago so that members and their families could have the benefit of added financial support in times of need. The fund has come to the aid of several families since being established and provided much-needed financial security during very difficult times.

In many cases, these difficult times come when people least expect it. Recently, a doctor was removing a fish hook from a patient’s hand one minute and then found herself in the emergency department the next - unable to work again for the next six months. It could happen to anyone at any time.

To that end, we are calling on AMA (WA) members to make a contribution toward the AMA Benevolent Fund of WA to ensure that we are in a position to help. Your support is gratefully received and all contributions are tax deductible.

For further details, please click here

The AMA (WA) is asking rural and remote doctors to provide feedback on the operation of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS). 

Doctors are invited to complete a short survey (five minutes) to provide feedback, which will be used to support improvements to the PATS service.

The AMA (WA), through its Medical Products division, has secured a new contract with Sanofi to supply private influenza vaccines for patients not eligible for the government-funded NIP vaccine. AMA Medical Products will be able to supply practices around the same time as initial NIP vaccine distribution from WA Health.

Practices should look at their active patient base to determine quantities and are encouraged to confirm orders by COB Friday 18 December 2020 to ensure they don't miss out.

Email enquiries to vaccines@amamedicalproducts.com.au

Click below to pre-order the vaccine. 

AMA members are eligible to receive up to $2,000^ cashback on any loans successfully settled between 4 November 2020 and 31 December 2021.

The cashback offer is in addition to any bank/lender cashback offers (if eligible) that you receive, giving you more cash in your pocket.

No matter the type of loan, whether it’s a new home loan, investment loan or refinancing, you will be entitled to the cashback offer.

If you’re not currently an AMA member and decide to join, you will receive the AMA cashback offer plus access to the AMA’s exclusive member benefits, with discounts across a wide range of goods and services including finance, home & motor, legal, food & wine, health & fitness, technology, travel & accommodation and shopping & leisure. Join now.

Applications are now open for the 2021 AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship, a program that has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study medicine since 1994.

Applicants must be currently enrolled at an Australian medical school, have successfully completed their first year of medicine, and be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background. Applications will close on 31 January next year.

The 2020 recipient will be announced next month.

Further information and the application form is at www.ama.com.au/about/indigenous-medical-scholarship

Southern Plus East Fremantle is looking for a general practitioner to provide quality primary care to new residents upon admission. 

The Southern Plus East Fremantle aged care centre is a relatively new residential site, having opened in 2018. Located in picturesque East Fremantle, the state-of-the-art facility has a total of 83 beds, including a wing which is designed for residents who require secure services. The site provides 24/7 nursing care and house team leaders to oversee safe quality care.

 
Southern Plus understands that a GP sits at centre of good care. working collaboratively with residential services to ensure that residents receive timely, effective and appropriate primary care. The site offers a luxurious dining service and a new first-of-its-kind Health and Wellness Facility, which offers exercise rehabilitation and wellbeing clinic activities.

Southern Plus is seeking a collaborative relationship with a GP to ensure residents receive care that delivers best health outcomes.

We encourage any interested parties to please contact Tania Mann on 9282 9961 for a confidential discussion.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Leadership Team is hosting a series of webinars in partnership with Victorian service providers to share their experiences and learnings with Western Australian service providers.

The webinar is FREE and is part of a series. 

What are the main sources of emissions within General Practice and what role does General Practice play in moving towards a zero-emissions health sector?

Presenters include Dr Matt Sawyer, Dr Sue Jackson, Dr Richard Yin, Dr George Crisp and Dr Karen Price.