Special Purpose Accounts under threat

Premier Colin Barnett must immediately stop his Treasury grabbing money from special purpose accounts used by doctors for teaching, training and research, the Australian Medical Association (WA) has said.

“The Department is once again making a cash grab for Special Purpose Accounts (SPAs) in a desperate attempt to boost the State’s bottom line,” AMA (WA) President Associate Professor David Mountain said.

Special Purpose Accounts (SPAs) set up with donated funds from benefactors, for research or from clinicians with funds have been used for many years for teaching, training and research. They are understood to be worth more than $20 million across the health system and are vital to a sustainable, enthusiastic and world class medical workforce.

Doctors have been told that millions of dollars currently held by many of the SPAs could become the property of their hospital administrations or Treasury on July 1 this year. Patients can be sure this will be squandered in administration and bureaucracy if allowed to happen.
Research, teaching and training to improve our patients care are too valuable to allow penny pinching bean counters in Treasury and health to ruin one of the last resources available to them.

“The Department first used these funds completely inappropriately (as determined by the auditor general) in 2009 by “borrowing” the money, without asking, to pay bills that the Health Department hadn’t the cash to pay.  Health Minister Kim Hames promised it wouldn’t happen again. In a letter to the AMA (WA) in December 2009, Dr Hames said the action by the Department was inappropriate and would not reoccur.”

“Yet here they are once again trying to grab cash that in some cases has been donated by the  families of former patients to assist in research, teaching and training” A/Prof Mountain said.

“The Health Minister and the Premier must immediately tell the Department to keep its hands off these accounts, and to allow the SPAs to be used for their real purpose which is helping to achieve better health outcomes.”

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AMA (WA) thanks Chief Medical Officer

The Australian Medical Association (WA) thanked Dr Towler for his invaluable contribution to the health sector as CMO over the past seven years following his decision to resign.

"As CMO, Dr Towler has been a strong and unrelenting advocate for health reform. He has been a visionary whose legacy will last for many decades," AMA (WA) President Associate Professor David Mountain said.

“Dr Towler’s leadership has served as a beacon for public health reform not just in the WA Health Department but throughout Australia for many years, he said.
 

“Dr Towler has demonstrated great leadership on  range of issues and has helped build a bridge to the future for public health in  WA,” A/Prof Mountain said.

“Unfortunately he was sometimes a long way ahead of the Health Department on policy issues, but they no doubt will eventually catch up,” he added.

An esteemed member of the medical community, Dr Towler is a past President of the AMA (WA) and the Association's current Treasurer.

"Dr Towler's return to full time clinical practice in April will be well received by his colleagues. His extensive experience in intensive care medicine will be a welcome asset to Royal Perth Hospital," A/Prof Mountain said.

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Guidance for GPs regarding nurse practitioners

General Practitioners have been asking what they should do fi they receive documents about a patient from a nurse practitioner. Last year, the AMA held a forum with other GP groups, nursing bodies and Medical Defence Organisations. The forum agreed that a GP would be under professional obligation to:

• review the information; and
• consider what, if any, action was required.

The same meeting concluded that, where a GP receives documents from a nurse practitioner, the following courses of action would be appropriate, depending on the general practitioner's circumstances ... more.

This is a members only section. Not a member? Join now!

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2012 AMA (WA) Council Elections

Members are once again encouraged to take a strong interest in the coming AMA (WA) elections, not only by voting, but by getting involved and nominating for a professional special interest group.

Download a nomination form for the positions of Chair of special interest groups within the Division of Speciality Practice, and the Division of General Practice.

In addition there are a number of positions within the Division of State Government Service.

Nominations are open now, and must reach the AMA (WA) Returning Officer no later than 5pm on Monday 12 March.

This is an opportunity to increase your involvement in the AMA (WA) and to assist in serving your fellow members.

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Have you voted yet?

AMA (WA)'s latest web poll question is: Should solariums be banned in WA because of health concerns?

So far, 100 per cent of voters think solariums should be banned. If you haven’t voted yet, head to the home page and have your say!

Keep visiting the AMA (WA) website to keep up-to-date with latest news and information.

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National medical standards for driver licensing

The National Transport Commission and Austroads are pleased to announce the imminent release of ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive’, the 2012 revised national medical standards for driver licensing. 

The publication, effective from 1 March 2012, will be mailed to all registered general practitioners, as well as to relevant medical specialists and allied health professionals. A copy will also be mailed to your organisation within the next three weeks.

As many patients hold a driver licence, health professionals have an important role in supporting road safety through their management of fitness to drive. The standards aim to ensure that health professionals are aware of the road safety implications of medical conditions, and that they understand the licensing authority systems for managing medically at-risk drivers.

Assessing Fitness To Drive information kit.

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Private Practice and the Public Sector Management Act

The AMA often receives enquiries from practitioners regarding their rights to undertake additional work external to their contract of employment with a public hospital and whether there are any requirements associated with such additional work elsewhere in the Government system or in private practice. Are there any obligations, or implications for their indemnity and private practice earnings outside of their primary employment?

There is a requirement as defined within the Public Sector Management Act 1994 to ensure that public sector employees have, pursuant to Section 102, permission from their employing authority to "engage or continue in private practice of any profession" or "accept or engage in any employment for reward other than in connection with the functions of his or her office, post or position under the State." ... more.

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AMA resources for medical fees

The AMA encourages medical practitioners to determine their own fees based on their own practice costs. To guide medical practitioners in determining their fees and, the AMA provides members with tools and resources.

There is a checklist for those medical practitioners who have decided to move from bulk billing to patient billing and a template letter to explain to their patients why their fee is different to the Medicare rebate.

The AMA Gaps Poster illustrates why patients might have to pay a gap. The poster shows the effect of the difference between the indexation of Medicare Schedule fees and the Consumer Price Index and average weekly earnings.

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2012 Clinical Conference - register now!

From 23 October to 6 November 2012 we will be visiting South America featuring Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Lima.

For further information, contact Chris Kane at the AMA on 9273 3060.

The registration brochure contains full Conference and Post Conference tour itineraries, costs, inclusions and details on the clinical topics. Places are strictly limited. Register now.

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Director of Industrial/Legal Position

The AMA (WA) is currently looking for a talented professional to join the AMA (WA) as Director Industrial/Legal.

It is envisaged that the sucessful candidate will be a strategic thinker, possess exceptional leadership and communication skills and ideally have an understanding of the health sector.

Located in Nedlands, this full time position offers an excellent opportunity to be part of an exciting and progessive organisation.

For more information, contact Noelle Jones or phone 9273 3000.

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Senior Policy Officer position

AMA (WA) is seeking to appoint an experienced person for the newly created role of Senior Policy Officer.

As a member for the Executive team, the successful applicant will be required to provide leadership and management input into the development of AMA (WA) strategies and policies.

For more information, contact Noelle Jones or phone 9273 3000.

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2012 Awards Night and Charity Gala Dinner

The AMA (WA) will hold its prestigious 2012 Charity Dinner and Awards Night on 7 July at the State Reception Centre, Kings Park.

The gala evening celebrates the achievements of the WA medical profession and recognises the significant contribution to medicine by one or more association members with the presentation of the AMA(WA) Award.

For information regarding tickets for the evening visit the website, or please contact Liz Gray on 9273 3027.

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Panorama of Emergency Surgery - Annual State Conference

This interactive conference covers topics relevant to the "single-handed" doctor working remotely and includes a series of lectures by local specialist consultants.

Keynote Speakers include: Professor Fiona Wood; Professor Terence McManus and Dr Brian Collings.

Accreditation approved for RACS CPD Program, RACGP QI & CPD Program & ACRRM PDP & MOPS Points.

Date: 17 & 18 March commencing at 9am.
Venue: Lecture Theatre B6, Edith Cowan University, Robertson Drive, Bunbury

Suitable for consultants, trainees, registrars, GPs, GP proceduralists, nurses, paramedics, anaesthetists, allied health professionals and medical students.

Places are filling fast, register now! For more information, contact Anne Bolton.

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GP careers information sessions

General Practice is a challenging, diverse and flexible career path which opens up a world of opportunities.

Applications for Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) are open from 16 April to 18 May.

Find out more about GP Training and prevocational GP placement opportunities at a GP Careers Information Session.

For more information contact gpcareers@wagpet.com.au

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Medical Products promotions

If you're looking to upgrade your medical equipment, AMA Medical Products has some great discount offers.

The Digital Macroview promotion enables you to receive the Digital Macroview head, handle, pod and charger for just $950+GST; that's a saving of save $930.

Save $1000 on the 18L S Class Cominox Steriliser.

When you buy a Powerheart AED G3 Automatic Defibrillator you'll receive a free carry case worth $90.

Great savings on the entire range of Welch Allyn Green Series Examination and Procedure lights.

For more information, contact Medical Products on 9273 3022.

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Tinnitus, dizziness and severe hearing loss - educational dinner from ESIA

The Ear Science Institute Australia invites GPs to its RACGP accredited educational dinner on 27 March.

Introduced by Winthrop Professor Marcus Atlas, AMA (WA) Award Winner 2011, presentations will be given by ENT surgeons and audiologist specialists in the field.

This seminar is RACGP accredited.

Date: Tuesday  27 March, drinks at 6.30pm
Venue:  UWA Club Restaurant, University of Western Australia, Hackett Drive, Crawley.

A three course dinner will be served.

Register online or call Sandra Nair on 6380 4900 before 21 March.

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