Fluvax information for all WA Doctors

This is a reminder that CSL Brand FLUVAX is NOT listed for children under the age of 5, and should only be recommended for children under the age of 10 years if there is no safe alternative (see below).

CSL Brand “FLUVAX” is listed as safe for use in those over 10 years of age if there are no contra-indications for influenza vaccination.

FLUARIX and VAXIGRIP are safe for immunisation of children between 6 months and 10 years of age at the recommended dose. These are available under the National Immunisation Program.

INFLUVAC and AGRIPPAL are also safe in all age groups over 6 months, but are not on the National Immunisation Program.

For full information, download the ATAGI advice.

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Annual General Meeting

Members are advised that the AMA (WA) Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 6 June, at the Association’s headquarters in Nedlands starting at 6pm.

Members who attend will be invited to join in the discussion on AMA  (WA) business and enjoy the fellowship of colleagues. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, please contact the Secretariat on 9273 3008 or email Neeta Tota.

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Places filling fast for 2012 Clinical Conference

There is some updated information regarding the AMA (WA) Clinical Conference in South America in October / November this year. If you are considering joining us in South America, please read on.

The 2 night Lima component of the Post Conference tour in Peru has been replaced with a 2 night stay in Santiago, Chile. This change has occurred as a result of Qantas flight schedule changes. Fortunately it works well for our program as it means that the return journey to Perth is shorter and there are some fantastic sightseeing and dining options that we have included in the new Santiago itinerary. We are staying at the Grand Hyatt in Santiago – a very luxurious hotel. Please note that this change does not affect any other part of the program and there is no change to either the Buenos Aires program or to the Cuzco / Machu Picchu program.

In addition, due to requests from delegates, we have arranged an optional extension tour to the magnificent Galapagos Islands. This tour will take place immediately after the Post Conference tour and we will arrange flights from Santiago to Quito (and back) which fit in with delegate’s individual requirements. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit this World Heritage site before tourism is curtailed to protect this fragile environment and its unique species of flora and fauna. Please note that places are very limited as the cruise vessel has a small number of places available.

If you do wish to join us in South America please complete the booking form as soon as possible as places on the Conference (particularly the Iguazu Falls optional tour and Business Class and Premium Economy upgrades), Post Conference and Galapagos extension are filling rapidly . The Conference brochure contains full itinerary and costs. 

If you have any questions regarding the AMA (WA) 2012 South America Conference, please give Chris Kane a call on 9273 3060.

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Rights of Private Practice

The AMA (WA) has recently received a number of queries regarding rights or Private Practice for State Public Sector full time, 0.8 and sessional practitioners operating under Arrangement A.

As a consequence of incorrect advice being given by some managers, the Association sought and received additional advice from Medicare relating to supervision requirements for procedural trainees services to bona fide private patients to attract Medicare benefits is also included. Separate advice in repect to retrospective billing is also provided in this Industrial Update ... more.

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

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Awards Night and Charity 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 download the booking form, or please contact Liz Gray on 9273 3027.

Pictured: Professor Marcus Atlas, 2011 AMA (WA) Award winner.

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Dr Camille Michener Legacy Award Junior Doctor of the Year 2012

Nominations are now open and close at 4.30pm on Friday 1 June. The Award recognises the Junior Doctor of the Year and ensures that we celebrate the outstanding contributions of our Junior Doctors to the Medical Profession and the Community.
The Award recognises a Doctor in Training who has been outstanding in the areas of:

• Teaching and Education
• Leadership and Advocacy
• Doctor’s Wellbeing and Community Service

The requirement is that the nominee will have contributed in the above categories beyond that expected of the Doctors in Training in their normal working roles.
All finalists are to be members of the AMA.

A grant of $3,000 will be awarded to the Award winner to be used in further professional development.

For more information on the Award please email Clare Francis or phone 9273 3000.

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AMA Items for the PCEHR

The AMA recently announced its own items for preparing and managing a shared health summary for the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR). The move is in response to the Government not creating new items for doctors’ time and work with patients on the PCEHR and not allocating any new funding in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to cover this new clinical service provided by doctors.

Federal AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said the AMA items are time-tiered and can be billed in addition to any consultation that is provided to the patient on the same day. The items provide guidance to AMA members when setting their medical fees for this important clinical service for their patient.

“The AMA is a strong supporter of the PCEHR and the benefits for patients and the healthcare system – but we have to get it right the first time”, Dr Hambleton said ... more.

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Have you voted yet?

Have you voted in the latest web poll? The question is: Should the WA Government delay major building projects, rather than including health in "efficiency" spending cuts as recently announced?

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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Have your say on WA Health promotion strategy

The draft WA Health Promotion Strategic Framework 2012–2016 (HPSF) is now available for public consultation.

The updated version of the HPSF builds on the previous HPSF (2007–2011) and sets out WA Health’s strategic directions and priorities for the prevention of chronic disease and injury over the next five years.

The goal of the HPSF is to lower the incidence of avoidable chronic disease and injury in WA by facilitating improvements in health behaviours and environments.  

The HPSF focuses on the main lifestyle risk factors which contribute most to the burden of disease and injury in our State. These include: 

• overweight and obesity
• nutrition
• physical activity
• tobacco use
• harmful levels of drinking.

A section on injury prevention is also included. 

The HPSF envisions a whole-of-health engagement in prevention of chronic disease and injury. For more information, go to the Health Promotion Strategic Framework website.

The consultation period is open from 10 April until 1 June 2012.

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AMA National Conference Workshop for success

At the 2012 AMA National Conference, there will be a number of sessions of interest to general practitioners. One in particular is the workshop on the Practice Development Lifecycle.

This workshop will outline the phases of business for medical practices, and uncover the tipping points that occur at each stage that lead to success or limitation in growth. It will also examine the key roles played by the medical practitioners including leadership skills and their ability to foster a successful team.

Presenting this workshop is Andrea Ravas, Principal Consultant at mppracticesolutions. Andrea Ravas, brings to her role many years of experience as a practice manager and registered nurse, and is regarded as an expert in the area of practice management.

The 2012 AMA National Conference: Leading in Medical Care, will take place in Melbourne from the 25-27 May.

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AMA Submission to MBA on DHAS Funding

The AMA in a submission to the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) calls on the Board to fund better access to external doctors’ health services across the country. The AMA submission was prepared based on the results of a survey conducted by the AMA, which attracted 2057 responses.

While the MBA has a role to play in funding external doctors' health advisory services, the AMA submission highlights that funding arrangements must be structured so as to guarantee independence from the MBA and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. This is essential if doctors are to trust these services and utilise them at an early stage in their illness.

Given the results of the AMA survey and the fact that medical registration fees have increased dramatically since the introduction of national registration arrangements, the AMA has recommended that these services should be funded from the existing registration fees paid by the profession.

The submission highlights that the AMA is keen to work with the MBA to develop a sustainable funding model to ensure that doctors have access to high quality, confidential doctors’ health advisory services.

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Advocating for more support for IMGs

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, has written to Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek, urging the Government to fund extra specialised support and supervision for international medical graduate (IMG) doctors, especially those working in rural and regional Australia.

The AMA recommends that new funding should be allocated to General Practice Education and Training (GPET), an organisation with the capacity and infrastructure to provide this additional support for IMG doctors working in general practice.

Dr Hambleton said that the AMA has a long-standing interest in the role of IMG doctors in Australia and that the lack of support with supervision and oversight is unfair on IMGs, who are often working in very challenging environments and are professionally isolated ... more.

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Plan to bolster the rural medical workforce

The AMA has released the AMA Position Statement on Regional/Rural Workforce Initiatives 2012, which sets out a practical achievable plan to attract doctors and medical students to live and work in rural and regional Australia.

The Position Statement highlights five key priority areas for Government policy development that would help attract medical practitioners and students to regional and rural areas. The AMA urges the Government to:

• provide a dedicated and quality training pathway with the right skill mix to ensure GPs are adequately trained to work in rural areas;
• provide a realistic and sustainable work environment with flexibility, including locum relief;
• provide family support that includes spousal opportunities/employment, educational opportunities for children’s education, subsidy for housing/relocation and/or tax relief;
• provide financial incentives including rural loadings to ensure competitive remuneration; and
• provide a working environment that would allow quality training and supervision.

The Position Statement also highlights the significant ongoing concern at the way in which the Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) is being applied to determine the distribution of financial incentives.

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Information for EOFY Superannuation payments

If you plan to make superannuation contributions or other payments for this financial year, please note that 30 June this year is on a Saturday.

You should check, but in most cases, your superannuation fund will need to receive your contribution well before 30 June to ensure it is regarded as a 2011/2012 year payment.

Another good tip is to remember BPAY or electronic payments can still take several days to be processed so it is best to plan ahead and make the payment in advance of 30 June.

Also be mindful that your bank account may have a limit on how much you can pay in a single BPAY transaction

Check with your bank and super fund so you don’t miss out !

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For all your Medical Recruitment needs

If you’re looking for that next opportunity to progress your career in either WA, interstate or overseas, join AMA Recruit on Facebook for all the latest vacancies.

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14 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009. Ph (08) 9273 3000