Coronavirus resources

With cases of coronavirus in Australia confirmed, you can find information about this virus on the WA Health website. This page includes up-to-date information and resources including:

• Fact sheets for parents, schools and early childhood centres
• Signage and posters for GP practices
• Links to WHO website and Communicable Diseases Network of Australia

Resources for the general public can be found on the Healthy WA website.

The World Health Organisation’s advice is saying health care workers should:

• wear a medical mask when entering a room where patients suspected or confirmed of being infected with 2019-nCoV are admitted and in any situation of care provided to a suspected or confirmed case;
• use a particulate respirator at least as protective as a US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-certified N95, European Union (EU) standard FFP2, or equivalent, when performing aerosolgenerating procedures such as tracheal intubation, noninvasive ventilation, tracheotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, manual ventilation before intubation, and bronchoscopy.

As an evolving international health concern, the AMA (WA) will also update members with the latest information as it becomes available.

Public holiday pay

WA HEALTH PUBLIC HOLIDAY PAY

Hours worked on a public holiday shall attract a penalty of 150 per cent, or, if the practitioner and employer agree, a penalty of 50 per cent and the practitioner shall be entitled to a day in lieu for the day worked.

If a practitioner is rostered off duty on a public holiday, the practitioner shall be paid as if it was an ordinary working day, or if the employer agrees, be allowed to take a day off in lieu at a mutually agreed time.

To continue reading about public holiday pay, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

AMA Budget Submission focuses on General Practice

The AMA has called on the Federal Government to significantly increase recurrent spending on health to properly meet current and future demand for quality care and services in the Australian health system.

Releasing the AMA’s Pre-Budget submission for the 2020-21 Federal Budget, AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said that the AMA wants the Government to lift spending from its current level of 9.3 per cent to a level in line with comparable countries.

To continue reading, please visit the AMA website. 

AMA Queensland continues campaign against pharmacy antibiotics trial

AMA Queensland President, Dr Dilip Dhupelia, has written a letter to the Queensland State Parliament calling for a halt to the trial allowing pharmacists to dispense antibiotics without a prescription for patients with urinary tract infections.

Dr Dhupelia highlighted that the trial – due to start in weeks – will sacrifice safety for convenience, and will result in poorer health outcomes for Queenslanders.

To continue reading, please visit the AMA website. 

AMA Corporate Travel Insurance - Coronavirus: Find out what it means for you

The World Health Organisation has declared the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and as of Saturday 1 February 2020, the Australian Government raised the Travel Advice warning for China to Level 4, Do Not Travel – leaving many Australian travellers still in China and Hong Kong wondering what to do.

On Friday 24 January 2020 the Hubei Province was moved to a Level 4 warning, this has now been extended to the whole of China as of 1 February 2020.

What’s covered: AMA’s Corporate Travel Policy with Zurich provides cover where travel arrangements were made prior to the DFAT Level 4 – DO NOT TRAVEL – warnings issued on 24 January 2020 for Hubei Province and on 1 February for China. 

What’s not covered: Cover to Hubei Province booked after 24 January 2020 and all travel to China booked after 1 February 2020 when the DFAT Level 4 warning was issued.

If you are an existing policyholder impacted by the travel restrictions as a result of the coronavirus and need our assistance, please contact Zurich’s 24/7 emergency assistance team on +61 2 9995 2800 or our office on 1800 262 346. Alternatively, email us at insurance@amainsurance.com.au
 

For further information on the coronavirus and the DFAT Advice Levels please review the following websites:

Smart Traveller
World Health Organisation (WHO)

2020 membership renewal

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to renew your AMA (WA) membership. Your continued support allows us to achieve significant outcomes for doctors – help us do it again this year!

To renew your membership, visit the AMA (WA) website or call 9273 3055.

Please note: the March edition of Medicus will be the final edition for those members who are yet to renew their membership for 2020.

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