New Code of Ethics for Doctors

The AMA has released its new Code of Ethics, which, for the first time since 2006, has been substantially revised. Federal AMA President Dr Michael Gannon said that a Code of Ethics is essential for setting and maintaining the very high standards of ethical behaviour that society expects from the medical profession.

“The AMA is the peak body representing all Australian doctors. Its Code articulates and promotes a body of ethical principles to guide doctors' conduct in their relationships with patients, colleagues, and society," Dr Gannon said, 

“While the primary duty of doctors is to serve the health needs of individual patients, they have additional, and occasionally competing, duties in relation to other patients, patients' family members and carers, colleagues and other health care professionals, the wider health system, and public health.

“The AMA places a very high priority on its Code of Ethics, and encourages all doctors to observe its values and principles,” he said.

The updated AMA Code of Ethics can be viewed here. 

AMA (WA) to tackle sexual harassment

The AMA (WA) is glad to be able to inform members that a significant campaign to tackle sexual harassment in the medical community will soon start.

To be jointly launched by the AMA (WA) and the WA Health Department, the campaign follows an AMA (WA) survey which gave great cause of concern about the prevalence of sexual harassment in the WA medical workforce.

The AMA (WA) felt a strong responsibility to not only discover the level of relevance in WA but to ensure that everyone understands that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in any workplace, especially the medical workplace.

The campaign will state quite clearly that such actions are unacceptable, illegal under some circumstances and will not be tolerated.

The first stage of the campaign will be rolled out by way of posters at all WA hospitals, depicting examples of sexual harassment. This will then be followed by the launch of a website. 

Members will be seeing the posters around hospitals and medical sites in the next few weeks, using the tag line of SHOUT, or Sexual Harassment OUT.

Senior sessional practitioners – HSS payroll issues

The AMA (WA) has become aware that Health Support Services (HSS) has disseminated two information sheets about changes being made by HSS Payroll, alleging there is unanimous agreement from the AMA (WA) for “necessary change” and it is “required immediately”.

Members are advised there is no unanimous agreement by the AMA (WA). Members are encouraged not to sign any new contract or agree to any changes to sessions without contacting the AMA.

Meanwhile the AMA is seeking a retraction to its statements and an assurance from HSS that no contracts are affected, no sessions will be reduced, no-one will be asked to work less/accept a part sessional payment and there will be no loss of entitlements.

Please do not hesitate to contact the AMA with any issues.

St John of God Health Care Enterprise Bargaining Agreement

The AMA (WA) has reached agreement with SJOG on the terms of a new comprehensive enterprise agreement to apply to all medical practitioners employed at any of SJOG health care facilities; Murdoch Private Hospital, Midland Public and Private Hospitals, Subiaco Private Hospital, Bunbury Private Hospital and Geraldton Private Hospital.

The Agreement has taken a considerable period to finalise given the complications of amalgamating three sets of existing conditions into one agreement. Final technical drafting is being completed at the time of writing with an anticipated ballot process being conducted at the end of April 2017.

Members who have any queries should contact the AMA (WA) Industrial Team.

AGPT applications now open

Applications for the 2018 Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program are now open, closing on Monday 8 May 2017.

Applications are made through the college/s that you wish to achieve fellowship with:
 

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

Your application information will be used to assess your eligibility for the AGPT program; this eligibility check will be undertaken by the Department of Health. If eligible, you will then be able to undertake your chosen college/s entrance assessments.

For more information, please click here. 

AMA Financial Services launch revamped website

AMA Financial Services are proud to announce the launch of their new website.

Please visit the website to view the various services that we have on offer, including articles providing the latest news and information within the financial services industry.

MBS claims rejected due to aftercare

GPs who have experienced a claim rejection due to aftercare may wish to note that the Department of Human Services has made changes to the application of the aftercare rule to Patient Claims Interactive (PCI) channel.

If you transmit a service where an aftercare period applies, you will receive a warning message of “9698 – Service is possible aftercare, check the account and resubmit with a valid indicator if not normal aftercare”.

If the service is aftercare, you cannot claim a Medicare benefit. If the service is not aftercare, you must indicate this by setting the Aftercare Override Indicator in your software.

For more details, please click here. 

PIP eHealth Incentive Reminder

The Government’s extension to the Practice Incentives Program eHealth Incentive (ePIP) requirements expired on 31 January 2017. Those practices that are registered for ePIP now need to ensure they meet their Shared Health Summary (SHS) upload target to the My Health Record each quarter to be eligible for ePIP payments.

Practices receiving the incentive must have met their cumulative quota for SHS uploads of 0.5 per cent of their SWPE per quarter for the three quarters to 31 January 2017. Department of Human Services compliance activities will soon start for all incentive payments paid to practices that didn’t meet their shared health summary targets for this period.

Practices who experienced issues outside their control which prevented them from meeting the requirements of the incentive may qualify for an exemption and should contact the Department of Human Services on 1800 222 032 or pip@humanservices.gov.au to discuss.

For more details, please click here. 

Looking for a loan? We can find you the right lender

AMA Financial Services is proud to announce the launch of its Mortgage Referral Service, a new service offering access to multiple lenders/banks and spanning not just home loans but business loans and asset/vehicle finance.

Please call us on 1300 763 766 and speak to our Financial Advisers Venus Wong or Jyothi Sarac to find out more.

Consider the value of excellent customer service

Communicating well with your patients is an essential role for all practice staff. Every experience, with every member of your team creates an impression.

The value of the interaction should never be compromised. So how can you enhance skills to enhance your practice operations?

Certificate IV in Customer Engagement from AMA Training Services is a nationally recognised qualification that empowers staff to excel in a customer service environment and implement high quality service delivery standards.

• Capitalise on every interaction
• Enhance image
• Increase profitability
• Give you and your staff confidence and create a positive working environment
• Support patient care
 

To find out more email Chris Hamilton today or call(08) 9273 3033.

M. chimaera contamination of heater cooler devices used in cardiac bypass surgery

There is a risk that some heater-cooler devices (HCDs) used in open-heart surgery may have been contaminated with Mycobacterium chimaera.

Exposure to aerosols from these devices may lead to infections in patients that can appear months to years after surgery

As at 10 February 2017, there have been 3 patients in Australia who have been identified with M. chimaera infection associated with HCDs.

No patients in Western Australia have developed this infection and, as a precautionary measure, those patients at risk of this infection will be provided with information about the risk.

For further details, please click here.

Recall of EpiPen 300

All EpiPens with an April 2017 expiry date are being recalled because of a possible defect that may result in difficulty activating the device in an emergency.

This recall is being conducted by Alphapharm in consultation with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA).

For more information, please click here. 

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