Nominations for 2014 AMA (WA) Awards now open

The AMA (WA) is calling for nominations of medical professionals who have made a significant contribution to medicine. 

The award will be judged by an independent panel, with the winner being presented with the prestigious 'Hippo' prize at the AMA (WA) Awards Dinner, to be held on Saturday 7 June 2014. 

Nominations are invited from all sectors of the medical profession. It is expected that nominees will have demonstrated a tireless dedication to either the service of others, their chosen fields, or be a pioneer in the health and medical research sector. 

Past winners include Prof Alex Cohen, Dr Michael McCall, Prof Bryant Stokes and Prof Fiona Wood.

Nominations close Monday 28 April 2014.

To nominate an individual for this award, please send an email  detailing your nominee with a summary of their achievements and contributions to Liz Gray.
 

Junior Doctor of the Year 2014

Nominations for this prestigious annual award will open Monday 31 March 2014.

The AMA (WA) Junior Doctor of the Year (Dr Camille Michener Legacy Award) recognises the significant and outstanding contributions of our Doctors in Training to the medical profession and the community in areas such as teaching and education; leadership and advocacy; and doctor’s wellbeing and community service. The Award establishes a fitting legacy to the memory of Dr Camille Michener who is remembered as a staunch advocate and benevolent friend, well-liked and respected by all who knew her.

Nominations will close effective Friday 2 May 2014 and the winner will be announced at the AMA (WA) Awards and Charity Dinner on Saturday 7 June 2014.

So start thinking about who you will nominate for this Award to ensure that we continue to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of our Doctors in Training to the medical profession and the community. For further information please contact Clare Francis.

AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner - Book now!

Bookings are now open for the AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner and Awards Night to be held on Saturday 7 June at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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

For all queries or to reserve your table at the dinner, contact Liz Gray direct on 9273 3027 or via email.

AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2014

 The AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2014 has been released.
 

The Report Card examines public hospital capacity; emergency department waiting and treatment times; and elective surgery waiting and treatment times.

For the first time, the AMA Report Card uses information about Commonwealth funding published by the National Health Funding Pool Administrator.

The AMA Public Hospital Report Card uses the most recent data published by the Commonwealth Government, and is the only document that provides consistent analysis of public hospital activity over time. It also provides a State-by-State snapshot of performance.

To view the Report Card, please click here

Meeting with the Health Minster

In a recent meeting with WA Health Minister Dr Kim Hames, AMA (WA) President Dr Richard Choong discussed compliance issues regarding the Memorandum of Understanding involving clinical privileges, conduct and governance in non-teaching hospitals.

The MoU ensures that health service facilities provide services to the community informed by advice from the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) and utilising essential medical practitioner expertise in the planning of clinical activities and, among other issues, the maintenance of high clinical standards.

The AMA (WA) is concerned at proposed structural changes at Rockingham and Armadale hospitals without consultation with medical practitioners or MACs that threaten long-standing practices which have been extremely effective in reducing wait lists for simple procedures.

For more information on this report and other discussions between Dr Richard Choong and the Health Minister, please click here.

$100,000 towards new ideas in immunisation

Australian immunisation providers are being called on by Sanofi Pasteur to submit original and sustainable immunisation ideas for their chance to win one of five $20,000 unrestricted educational sponsorships.

Now in its third year, the Sanofi Pasteur VaxiGrants Program was launched to reward and share innovation and best practice in immunisation, encouraging healthcare professionals to think creatively and consider new ways to implement programs designed to help improve the awareness and uptake of immunisation within local communities.

Healthcare professionals are urged to submit applocations before 11 April 2014. 

For more information, please click here.

Prep and plan to fight fires

The recent bush fires in Banjup, just 25km from the CBD, were a sobering reminder that fire and natural emergencies are not restricted to rural or ‘faraway’ places.

In early February, emergency services warned shocked residents in Banjup that it was “too late to leave their homes as house-sized flames” bore down.

Although the chances of receiving such warnings are remote, they are very real. What’s important to remember is that with minimum preparation, you can curtail potential damage, stress and injury.

Seven steps to reduce the risk of fire or storm damage to your property:

• Clear gutters – these become clogged over time; water can back up and enter your roof.
• Check condition of gutters* – for holes and/or rust; repair and paint to prevent further deterioration.
• Inspect roof tiles – tiles can move or crack; check for damaged or loose tiles.
• Leaking roofs – did you notice any water leaks last year and ignored them?
• Clear fuels – remove all dry foliage and other flammable items from your property
• Overhangs – remove tree branches that appear ‘top heavy’ or weakened.
• Emergency supplies – keep a supply of clean water, batteries and sealed food.   

*Remember: Gutter repairers and roof plumbers get extremely busy during the winter months, so book now.

For more information, please click here. 

More advice from AMA (WA)'s Financial Services team can be found in the upcoming edition of Medicus.

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