AMA (WA) elects a new President

The Australian Medical Association (WA) has elected an orthopaedic surgeon as its newest President.

Dr Omar Khorshid, one of the youngest Presidents in the AMA (WA)’s history at the age of 42, was elected unopposed at the Annual General Meeting held in Nedlands last week.

Educated at the University of WA, Dr Khorshid has been an outspoken and prominent voice in the AMA (WA) for many years after joining the Association as an intern.

Dr Khorshid said it was a huge honour to be elected AMA (WA) President and thanked outgoing President Dr Andrew Miller for his term in office.

For more information, please click here. 

PMH review and recommendations welcomed

The AMA (WA) welcomed the Report into the Morale and Engagement of Clinical Staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, and urged the State Government and CAHS Board to implement all of its recommendations.

“The Report confirms the concerns of doctors and other medical professionals at PMH raised by the AMA (WA) both in the media and during private meetings with the Government,” AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid said.

“It makes it clear that these issues include morale, access to leave and engagement of clinical staff at the hospital.”

“This is vindication for all consultants and junior doctors who have been doing it tough at PMH, and we hope that this damning review is the catalyst for a much-needed culture change at PMH,” he said.

For more information and to view the indpendent committee's report, please click here. 

Sleep-shift allowance update

Psychiatric Registrars should be aware that if they are rostered to work consecutive shifts, they are entitled to be paid a 50 per cent loading for all hours that they work after their first day shift.

The loading is also paid in alongside any overtime allowance if they find that they are working these shifts during a period of overtime. 

Psychiatric Registrars are occasionally rostered to work 9.00 am on the first day, and finish either at 9.00 am the next day or alternatively 5.00 pm the next day.  All the hours after 5.00 pm on the first day attract this 50 per cent allowance.

You are encouraged to check your payslips to see if the allowance is being paid. If you have any queries please contact the AMA (WA) Industrial Team.

AMA (WA) excellence recognised at National Conference

The AMA (WA)'s lobbying efforts and dedication to public health advocacy was recognised at the AMA National Conference last month, as the AMA (WA) won awards in the Best Lobby Campaign, Best Public Health Campaign and Most Innovative use of Website and New Media categories.

The outstanding work done by the AMA (WA) in securing Three-year Employment Contracts for Interns, designing a world-class mental heatlh program and creating a website outlining the importance of health during the WA State Election were all considered outstanding campaigns, and highlighted some of the reasons why the AMA (WA) remains the strongest State AMA in the country. 

For more information, please click here. 

End of financial year strategies – AMA Financial Services

30 June is fast approaching, but there’s still time to consider the strategies available to you to build your wealth. Below are simple tips that could help maximise what you’ve got this financial year.

• Pay interest in advance
• Make a concessional contribution to Super
• Government co-contribution
• Protect your income and save on tax
   

For more information, please click here.

AMA Family Doctor Week 2017

The AMA Family Doctor Week highlights the role of GPs – our family doctors – and their value to the community and the health system as they deliver high-quality holistic health care.

Family Doctor Week will run from Sunday 23 July to Saturday 29 July 2017. The theme for this year’s event is Your family doctor: all about you.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says Australia has one of the best health systems in the world. Its strength stems from general practice and the pivotal role of the general practitioner. GPs are the first port of call when Australians feel unwell, and GPs manage 90 per cent of the problems they encounter.

To find out how you can get involved with Family Doctor Week, please click here. 

Another compelling reason to start your professional business training with AMA Training

The Diploma of Leadership and Management program is now accredited through the RACGP for 90 Category 1 CPD points.

Ideal for Medical professionals and Practice managers alike, the Diploma of Leadership and Management will empower you with the tools, expertise, and acumen to truly grow as a business leader.

It is the perfect qualification for those looking to learn new and develop existing skills necessary to operate at a high level in complex and varied business roles, as well as lead and drive a successful organisation.

AMA Members receive a $300 discount off the standard price. Practice staff may also be eligible.

Details of the course can be found here.

For more information please contact Chris Hamilton at AMA Training on 1800 248 292 or via email.

Dr YES does Mandurah

24 keen Dr YES volunteers journeyed to Mandurah last month for two action-packed days delivering health education sessions to high school students.

This year's trip to the Mandurah and Peel region proved to be extremely successful, with great feedback from students, school and volunteers. The trip also presented an opportunity for some of our newer volunteers to improve their skills and expand their knowledge.

Dr YES reached more than 400 students in two days on a range of issues, from harm minimisation to debunking students’ misconceptions about GPs and accessing support services.

For more information, please click here. 
 

RACGP QI&CPD Points when you complete Youth Friendly Doctor Workshops

The Youth Friendly Doctor (YFD) Program seeks to build the capacity of General Practitioners to communicate more effectively with young people, address the barriers young people face in accessing healthcare and promote adolescent friendly policies, facilities and service delivery.

This program is accredited with the RACGP and attracts Category 1 and or Category 2 QI&CPD points.

The next workshops in the YFD program are:

• 1st August: Eating Disorders in Young People
• 15th August: Social Media and the Internet: The Impact on Young People’s Wellbeing
• 5th September: Overweight and Obesity in Young People
• 17th October: Young People, Ethics and the Law

Each workshop has an online classroom for the participation of rural participants.

FREE for AMA (WA) members. $50 per workshop for non-members.

Please click here for the registration form.

If you would like more information, please contact the AMA (WA) via email or phone 08 9273 3000.

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14 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009. Ph (08) 9273 3000