Inquiry into Health Department governance and operation vital

It’s time for a wholescale and fully independent investigation into the entire governance and operation of WA’s health system.

AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid has recently written to Premier Mark McGowan calling on the Government to immediately establish a full inquiry.

The AMA (WA) has previously raised with the State Government the lack of accountability and transparency in the health system highlighted by a number of recent reports and inquiries.

Every report in recent years continues to highlight the same fundamental deficits in the management and operation of our health system, including poor performance monitoring and oversight; a lack of accountability and ineffective governance structures.

To continue reading, visit the AMA (WA) website. 

AMA (WA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, discusses euthanasia with 60 Minutes

Last week, AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid, appeared on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes to discuss the AMA's view on euthanasia after Perth GP, Dr Alida Lancee, admitted to assisting terminally ill patients to end their lives:

"The AMA's position nationally is that we don’t support doctors acting to end people's lives, where that’s the main intention," Dr Khorshid said.

The segment can be viewed on the 60 Minutes website. 

The AMA (WA)'s position statement on End-of-Life Care can be found on the AMA (WA) website. Please note, you must log in to view the position statement. 

AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, heads west!

National AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, headed west this week to provide an opening address at the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association's Conference, held at Crown Perth. 

While in WA, Dr Bartone also appeared on 6PR program, Drive with Oliver Peterson, to discuss all things aged care, Indigenous health, euthanasia and E-cigarettes. To listen to the full radio segment, visit the 6PR website or read the transcript on the AMA website. 

Innovation: Solutions for an Ageing Population Conference

The AMA (WA), in collaboration with City of Joondalup, ECU, Bethanie, Aus Global Exchange and Shanghai Science and Technology Service Centre for Ageing recently held the Innovation: Solutions for an Ageing Population Conference. 

The three-day conference, which attracted about 120 attendees, was officially opened by Health Minister Roger Cook. 

Topics discussed included the changing landscape of healthcare in Australia, regulatory and economic outlooks, the future of aged care development in mega cities, the challenges and opportunities of expanding services in a commercial world and an innovative education program to support aged care workforce.

Senior Lawyer steps into Director's role at AMA (WA)

Australian Medical Association (WA) would like to welcome Warren Edwardes as Director of Industrial and Legal Affairs. Warren will take over from outgoing Director Marcia Kuhne when she retires later this month after more than six years in the role.

Warren comes to the AMA (WA) with many years’ experience in law and industrial relations in both the public and private sectors. He is a qualified solicitor admitted to practise in Western Australia and a previous Director of Business Law WA, the law firm of the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIWA).

Read more on the AMA (WA) website.

Upsize your super with downsizer contributions

Legislation has passed that will enable people aged 65 or over to make additional super contributions of up to $300,000 per person from the proceeds of the sale of their home from 1 July 2018.
 

These are known as ‘downsizer contributions’ and they can be made on top of the existing contribution caps, without having to meet certain contribution rules and restrictions.
 

The opportunity
 

The downsizer contribution rules remove some of the barriers that prevent or restrict the ability to make super contributions at age 65 or over.
 

Provided certain other conditions are met (see below) eligible people will be able to contribute up to $300,000 per person (or $600,000 per couple) from the proceeds of selling their home on or after 1 July 2018.
 

The contributions won’t count towards the concessional (pre-tax) or non-concessional (after-tax) contribution caps and there is no maximum age limit. Also, the ‘work test’ (for people aged 65 to 74) and the ‘total super balance’ test won’t apply

For further information, visit AMA Financial Services website. 
 

Celebrating 25 years of the AMA (WA) Charity Golf Day

Tickets are still available for the 25th AMA (WA) Charity Golf Day, being held Friday 26 October 2018 at the Royal Perth Golf Club.

There will be some amazing items up for auction and as usual, proceeds will go to the AMA (WA)’s Dr YES program.

The Ambrose tournament allows players of varying degrees of golfing prowess to get involved, so the novice will have just as much fun as the more experienced player.

The day on the course is followed by an evening of catching up with friends and colleagues over some fabulous wine and food.
 

For more information and to register, please click here

Phone survey: Choosing your medical speciality

Determining what factors influence an individual's career choices will help to guide all those involved in the journey of training junior doctors.

With better insights, we can support junior doctors to be well-informed and supported in making their speciality career choices. PMCWA, AMA WA and WAGPET are conducting a short, personalised interview process to gather this information. This study received ethics approval from the Curtin University Ethics Committee.

The involvement of as many doctors as possible in the process will greatly improve the quality of the data and influence future discussions that will ultimately benefit current and future generations of doctors.

We are currently seeking participants for this survey. The survey takes 30 minutes and if you choose to participate, you will receive a $50 gift voucher and go in to the draw to win an iPad Pro.

Book your survey time online now. 

Copyright © 2013 Australian Medical Association of Western Australia
14 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009. Ph (08) 9273 3000