Ramping figures continue to rise in WA

Ambulance ramping figures have reached crisis levels across metropolitan Perth, with patients waiting up to 10 hours  to be seen by a doctor.

Senior emergency department doctors said rising ambulance ramping figures are just the tip of the iceberg, with patients clearing ambulances only to wait  again to see a doctor inside the emergency departments of hospitals.

AMA (WA) President Dr Andrew Miller has said the situation is out of control, and has reached a point where not all patients can count on the Western Australian public health system.

“We now have double queues, with ambulance ramping off the charts, but even when you get to the end of the ambulance ramp you join another internal queue to see a doctor,” he said.

“Complications will occur when you have people waiting on stretchers for such a long time to be treated,” he said.

For more on this report, please click here. 

Update on practitioners rostered on for 'additional hours' in public hospitals

The AMA (WA) continues to be concerned about reports from members about the practice to roster practitioners for “additional hours”, and pay those additional hours at ordinary rates.

As members are aware, there is no overtime provision in the Agreement.

As part of the “professional commitment”, the system for hours worked is designed for a “give and take” approach with an average of 40 hours per week. This means that for a full-time practitioner who works more than 40 hours one week, fewer hours should be worked the following week or fortnight. The same system applies for part-time and sessional practitioners on a pro rata basis.

However, in practice that isn’t what happens, because practitioners will tend to work whatever hours are needed and often don’t have capacity to reduce hours in a subsequent week or fortnight, particularly if contracted for a small number of sessions and/or in smaller departments.

Hence, the call-back provisions are designed to make sure practitioners are paid for additional hours worked, usually on return to the hospital.

However, the call-back clause has also been applied when additional hours are worked without the practitioner having left the hospital. There are many examples of where practitioners are simply not able to leave the hospital and then the time converges with the time they were to return.

In the AMA's view, the practitioner is then required to perform is equivalent to a call-back and there is no other mechanism under the agreement to deal with that adequately.

The AMA’s advice is to continue to claim a call-back when:

• The practitioner has not been able to leave the hospital, continues working and is still in the hospital when the next period of rostered duty/ward round commences;

• Attending a ward round on the weekend, whether rostered on call or not, unless able to reclaim the hours worked during the ward round at a later time; and

• At any other time when recalled to work while rostered on call.

For additional information or clarification, please contact the AMA’s Industrial Relations team on (08) 9273 3000.

Stop the Presses! Medicus is online

You can now access your favourite medical journal anytime, anywhere in a very easy-on-the-eye, user-friendly flip book format.
 

Search for articles and authors easily, select and save columns for future reference, click on live links for quick access to contacts and additional information – all in an environmentally friendly way.
 

If AMA (WA) members would like to discontinue receiving a printed version of Medicus, and opt instead for a digital version, please contact  Simone Wilson at the AMA (WA) on (08) 9273 3000. 

AMA (WA) 2016 Annual Charity Golf Day

The AMA (WA) invites you to participate in the AMA Foundation Charity Golf Day on Friday 4 November 2016 at the Royal Perth Golf Club.

We look forward to welcoming you to this annual event to share an enjoyable day with your colleagues, business partners and clients. There will be some amazing items up for auction, and as usual, proceeds will go to AMA (WA)’s Dr YES program.

The Ambrose tournament will allow for players of varying degrees of golfing prowess to get involved, and will be just as much fun for the novice golfer as the more experienced players in your team.

Registrations are now open – simply complete the Acceptance Form and send to Skye Connor at AMA (WA) via fax (9273 3073) or email.

Last year’s event was fully booked, so be sure to sign up early to secure your place!

For more information or to register, please click here. 

GP support key to success of Health Care Homes

Welcoming the announcement of the 10 Primary Health Network Regions to conduct the Government’s trial of the Government’s Health Care Homes initiative, Federal AMA President Dr Michael Gannon said that GPs must be properly resourced and supported to make the trial – and the concept – a success.

Dr Gannon said the Health Care Home is potentially one of the biggest reforms to Medicare in decades.

“The AMA is delighted that the government is using the Health Care Home trial to launch its renewed commitment to General Practice and primary care,” Dr Gannon said.

“We especially welcome the Prime Minister’s role in actively promoting this key plank of the Coalition’s health platform for the new term of Parliament.

“The AMA shares the government's vision for the Health Care Home, and we have been actively engaged in its development.

For more information, please click here. 
 

Let HTA recruit quality trainees for your business

Looking for entry level reception and administration staff to support your busy practice? Consider traineeship recruitment through Health Training Australia (HTA).

It is a low-risk, cost-effective employment option for your business because the entire recruitment process is managed for you.

Our service includes the management of all advertising, pre-screening and interviewing of potential trainees at no cost to you; as well as payroll requirements such as Superannuation, Workers’ Compensation cover, mediation and associated employment paperwork. 

All trainees are employed directly by HTA and placed with your business as the ‘Host Employer’, while completing their training in BSB31115 Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical). HTA charges are very competitive and based on cost recovery.

AMA members seeking further information about traineeships and how they can support your business can contact HTA via email or call 9273 3033.

Are you up-to-date with the revised Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) Registration Standard?

The Medical Board of Australia’s revised PII registration standard came into effect on 1 January 2016. The revised standard states that medical practitioners with professional indemnity insurance must have “appropriate retroactive cover for otherwise uncovered matters arising from prior practice undertaken in Australia” by 1 October 2016.

What do you need to do?

•Visit the Medical Board of Australia website for details on the changes.

•Ensure you have appropriate indemnity cover for your current practice and any prior practice. Your Certificate of Currency includes your current retroactive cover – you can obtain a copy via the MDA National Member Online Services.

•If you have any questions relating to your retroactive cover or need to make a change to the date, please contact our Member Services team on 1800 011 255 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 8.00pm (AEST).

Secure the financial future for you and your family

Alarmingly, less than half of us have it, and most of us don’t think we need it, but income protection insurance is one insurance everyone of working age should be considering.

AMA Financial Services can assist you with Income Replacement, Life, Total Permanent Disability and Critical Illness Insurance to protect you and your family. Call us on 08 9273 3077 or click here to make an enquiry.
 

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