MDA Members vote against merger

The proposed Merger between MDA National and MIGA will not proceed, as a majority of MDA National Members voting at MDA National’s Scheme Meeting on Saturday did not approve of the proposed Merger.

MDA National Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Peter Forbes, said that MDA National's leadership team acknowledged that the Members' vote expressed a desire for MDA National to retain its current structure.

For more information, please click here. 

Figures show medical graduates still struggling to find placement

The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) has obtained figures showing that hundreds of medical graduates will not be able to become doctors in our community.

The National Medical Intern Data Management Working Group has completed an audit of offers, and concluded that approximately 240 Australian graduates will not be offered a State or Territory position.

AMSA President, Jessica Dean, said that AMSA is very disappointed that such a large number of graduates from Australian medical schools will be unable to practise in Australia.

For more information, please click here.

2014 John S Lekias Memorial Lecture announced

The AMA (WA) and the University of Western Australia are delighted to announce the 2014 John S Lekias Memorial Lecture to be held on Thursday 13 November at the UWA Club, commencing 6.30pm.

The 2014 Lecture is entitled:
Paediatric Sleep & Epilepsy: A research and clinical update on the evaluation and management of children with nocturnal seizures.

The 2014 Lekias Lecturer is Associate Professor Shelly K Weiss Paediatric Neurologist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Canada. A/Prof Weiss is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Past President of the Canadian Sleep Society.

For more information, please click here. 

General Practice Webinar

As you would be aware, the 2014 Commonwealth Budget contained a number of significant changes to general practice.

The changes included the co-payment proposal, GP training, primary health networks (Medicare Locals) and the incursion of private insurers into general practice.

The AMA has been active in lobbying for general practice, including putting forward an extensive alternative co-payment proposal based around addressing the urgent need to improve funding to allow for quality general practice.

We have also been using the challenges posed by the Budget to highlight the critical role of GPs and the urgent need for appropriate investment in quality general practice.

As an AMA member, we want to provide you with the opportunity to hear directly about the AMA's advocacy for GPs and to provide your feedback.

As such, AMA Council of General Practice Chair, Dr Brian Morton, and Federal AMA President  A/Prof Brian Owler will be holding a webinar so you can tell us what is important to you.

The webinar will be held on the evening of 23 October at 7pm AEDT.

To register, please contact Michelle Grybaitis.

Health Services Union finishes industrial action

The Health Services Union of Western Australia (HSUWA) has called off all industrial action in public hospitals after the Government agreed to go to arbitration to resolve its long running pay dispute.

All allied health employees will receive a 2.75 per cent pay increase backdated to 1 July 2014.

There is no date yet for arbitration. For further information, please contact Marcia Kuhne via email.

Closure of Swan District Hospital (SDH) and opening of Midland Public Hospital (MPH)

Following an AMA (WA) meeting held on 7 October 2014 with Members affected by the closure of Swan District Hospital and the opening of MPH by St John of God Health Care, the AMA (WA) is holding a further meeting on 25 November 2014.

The meeting will be held at SDH at 6.30pm in the Stroke Unit dining room (just outside of the Stroke Unit). The meeting will be another opportunity for the AMA to brief practitioners about further discussions with WA Health and SJOG about the transfer of entitlements and other issues related to the closure.

Pizza and light refreshments will be provided by the AMA.

Please rsvp to Puanna-Lea Kapi by COB Friday 21 November 2014 if you are able to attend.

GP Registrars – Contractors or Employees?

The Association has received a number of queries relating to the engagement of GP Registrars, specifically whether GPT3 Registrars can be lawfully engaged as independent contractors rather than as employees.

Whilst the Association is aware that on the face of it there may be a perception of financial benefits associated with the engagement of Registrars as independent contractors, in terms of savings on tax, superannuation, paid leave entitlements, medical indemnity and workers compensation insurance, the Association strongly cautions against this practice, on the basis that the risks associated with this practice far outweigh any potential benefits.

For more information, please click here. 

Delay for release of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Webclaim

The release of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Webclaim for medical claims has been delayed.

Development of the medical component of DVA Webclaim is continuing and the DVA website will be updated when a firm release date can be advised.

The allied health component of DVA Webclaim has been made available as of 15 September 2014 on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) portal.
 

DVA Webclaim details are available on the DVA website.

For instructions on registering for an individual PKI certificate go to the Department of Human Services (DHS) PKI page and follow the steps and fill out your Application for a PKI Certificate Form.
 

HealthPro Protect – Insurance that is tailored to meet the unique needs of your medical practice

AMA Insurance Brokers have designed an insurance package to specifically  provide customised risk and asset protection to medical  practices.

HealthPro Protect has been carefully engineered with you in mind, with exclusive features to minimise any disruption(s) in the event of a claim.
 

For more information on indicative premium rates and the unique benefits available under this policy or to request a quote, please click here.

VR'd GP available for Perth Metro DWS Location from March 2015

Do you have a vacancy in your practice in 2015?

We have a female vocationally registered GP who will be available for a permanent placement, or minimum six months locum from March 2015.

If you would like to secure the services of this highly motivated and skilled doctor during this period, or would like to discuss your practice staffing needs, please contact Margaret Templeton or Dave Bell on 9273 3000 or via email.

New ADF post-discharge GP health assessment

All former serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can now access a health assessment from their GPs funded under the Medicare Benefits Schedule items 701, 703, 705 and 707. The assessment will help GPs identify and diagnose the early signs of physical and/or mental health problems among former serving ADF members.

For more information, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.

Last chance for great discounts in this year's Entertainment Book

Help us raise funds for the AMA (WA) Foundation by ordering the new Entertainment Book. By ordering through the AMA (WA), 20 per cent of your purchase will go towards the Foundation.

Great discounts are available on a range of products including restaurants, leisure activities, accommodation and much more.

Order online, or contact Louise at AMA reception on 9273 3000 or via email. 

AMA (WA) Medical Products Spring Promotion 2014

AMA (WA) Medical Products is pleasd to announce the launch of its 2014 Spring promotion.

From stethoscopes to wheelchairs and ECGs to Spirometers, AMA (WA) Medical Products has all the equipment you need. Contact our customer service team who are local, friendly, motivated and have the technical knowledge to provide the sales experience you deserve.

For more information about the promotion, please click here or call (08) 9273 3000.

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