Update on End-of-Life Choices

Following the success of the AMA (WA) Symposium on End-of-Life Choices and Palliatve Care, AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid joined Dr Frank Jones and ABC Radio Perth's Nadia Mitsopoulos to discuss euthanasia, the current state of palliative care in WA and other end-of-life issues.

Dr Khorshid outlined what protections doctors will need if euthanasia is legalised in WA, discussed the recent death of Prof David Goodall and the ethical issues surrounding the Dying with Dignity debate. The full interview is accessible here. 

Dr Khorshid then fronted the WA Parliament's Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices to discuss some of the takeaways from the Symposium and the Association's position on euthanasia and palliative care. 

A summary of the Symposium can be viewed here, with more details included in the upcoming edition of Medicus.
 

Health in a holding pattern following State Budget

Health is in a holding pattern as the State Government waits for the Sustainable Health Review report, which is not expected to be finalised until November at the earliest.

“The Sustainable Health Review, established just over a year ago, has already delivered an interim report which was generally disappointing and in some parts incorrect,” AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid said.

“We’ve seen an overall cut in the health budget but a small rise in money given to hospital services. However even this is a cut in real terms.

“The 2018/19 State Budget was presented as one that provides for a 'steady and real course back to surplus'.

For health, however, the 2018/19 WA Health budget at $8.8 billion, represents a 2.4 per cent reduction on the 2017/18 estimated actual spending, which was $9 billion.

“Health spending now represents 29 per cent of the total WA budget.

To read more on the AMA (WA)'s summary of the State Budget, please click here.

Big shoes to fill following departure of Chief Health Officer

The AMA (WA) has congratulated Chief Health Officer Professor Tarun Weeramanthri on his exceptional service to health in Western Australia, following news of his pending resignation.

“While the AMA (WA) and Prof Weeramanthri have not always seen eye to eye, his dedication and contribution to improving all aspects of public healthcare in Western Australia are undeniable,” AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid said.

“Prof Weeramanthri has been a stalwart servant of the Department of Health, for many years, and his impact on public health in this State has undoubtedly been positive.

For more on this report, please click here. 

AMA (WA) visits Perth Children’s Hospital

Representatives of the Australian Medical Association (WA) visited the Perth Children’s Hospital for a closer look at our State’s newest health campus.

AMA (WA) Councillors and management were taken on a detailed tour of the soon-to-be opened more than $1.2 billion health facility by Child and Adolescent Health Service CEO Dr Robyn Lawrence.

The group headed by AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid was duly impressed with the magnificent facility with its brightly coloured décor, wide-open spaces, hi-tech features as well as ample space for clinicians to consult, work and even relax.

For more on this report, please click here. 

AMA Financial Services – how will the Budget affect you?

This year’s Federal Budget is an ‘election budget’ with tax cuts for all Australians that will be funded by the government’s higher than expected revenue. All-in-all, changes to super were fairly limited in the Budget, with the government focused on preventing the erosion of super funds with small balances.

We’ve summarised some of the key points from the Budget below, but remember these are subject to the passing of legislation.

• A new tax offset for low and middle-income earners, up to $530 per year.
• Super accounts with small balances will have more protection from fee erosion and unnecessary insurance premiums.
• People receiving the Age Pension will be able to earn up to $300 per fortnight without it affecting the amount of their Age Pension.
• More aged care places to assist older Australians.

For more information, please click here. 

 

AMA Medical Products and Welch Allyn present the 2018 Chronic Disease Promotion

Welch Allyn has teamed up with Star Partner Distributor AMA Medical Products to bring you the 2018 Chronic Disease Promotion.

About half of all Australians have a chronic disease, while 26% have two or more chronic conditions. Primary care clinicians represent the front lines of a complex healthcare system, and are tasked not only with treating acute and chronic conditions, but also with identifying health risk factors early to help improve patient outcomes and keep system costs lower.

The Chronic Disease promotion focuses on three core areas:

• Cardiovascular Disease & Hypertension
• Diabetes Management and
• Women’s Health.

A mailer has been distributed to 27,000 General Practitioners across the country. Not a GP? Fear not, we have you covered!

Click here to view 2018 Chronic Disease Promotion and access the medical product specials.

AMA (WA) AGM set for 4 July 2018

Members are advised that the AMA (WA) Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 4 July, at the Association’s headquarters in Nedlands, starting at 6pm.

Members who attend will be invited to join in the discussion on AMA (WA) business and enjoy the fellowship of colleagues. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

AGM AGENDA:
 

• Declare meeting open
• Apologies
• Confirmation of minutes
• Annual Report of Council
• Approval of the new Constitution
• Declaration of Ballot of Office Bearers and Members of Council
• Investiture of the President
• Closing of meeting by President.

For more information please contact the Secretariat at 9273 3028.

AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner

Bookings are now open for the AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner and Awards Night to be held on Saturday 30 June 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

Please join us for a magical night of celebration, entertainment and prizes.

For all queries or to reserve your table at the dinner, please contact Skye Connor on 9273 3028 or via email.

Bookings can also be made on the AMA (WA) website.

Please note, following your completed online registration you will be redirected to the AMA (WA) homepage, and a confirmation email of your successful booking will be sent to your email address.

Three nominations for AMA President

There will be an election to decide the next Federal AMA President and Vice President at the AMA National Conference in Canberra on Sunday, 27 May. 

Three people have nominated for President:
• Current Federal Vice President and a former AMA Victoria President, Dr Tony Bartone, who is a Melbourne GP;
• Current AMA NSW President and current AMA Federal Councillor, Professor Brad Frankum, an Immunologist and Allergist in public and private practice in southwestern Sydney; and
• Current AMA Federal Councillor and a former AMA Queensland President, Dr Gino Pecoraro, who is a Brisbane Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who works in public and private practice.

Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend to the AMA National Conference. For more information, please click here. 

Gonorrhoea Health Alert for Clinicians

In March 2018, two unlinked cases of highly antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea were diagnosed in Western Australia and Queensland. One case was acquired in SouthEast Asia and the source of the other case is under investigation. The Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains of these cases, and a recent case in the UK, have high level resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, the first line antibiotic treatment in WA (apart from remote regions).

These strains also showed the more commonly seen resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin, making them the first ever reported that are resistant to all antibiotics used in routine treatment for gonorrhoea. This has serious public health implications, as treatment can be complex and infections may ultimately become untreatable with currently available drugs.

Further information for clinicians is available here. 

Support AMA (WA) Foundation with the 2018/2019 Entertainment Book

The AMA (WA) Foundation was established in 1996 with a focus on health issues facing our youth. The two programs delivered through the Foundation are Dr YES and Youth Friendly Doctor training.

Each year, trained Dr YES medical student volunteers engage with high school students across the State having open and honest discussions about important health issues they face.

A comprehensive training program is delivered during the year to help keep doctors working with adolescents up to date on youth health matters.

Each year the AMA (WA) Foundation raises some funds for the youth programs from those who subscribe to membership of the Entertainment Book via the AMA (WA) Foundation link. With every membership sold, 20 per cent will be donated to the AMA (WA) Foundation.

Valid until 1 June, 2019, the Entertainment Book is available now for only $70.

For enquiries, please contact Beverley Williamson at the AMA on 9273 3000 or via email. To directly purchase the Entertainment Book online, please click here. 

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