Breast Implant Device Recall

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been conducting a review of breast implant devices available in Australia and has taken regulatory action in relation to all un-implanted breast implants and tissue expanders sold in Australia, including the suspension of eight products. Updates and further details can be found on the TGA website.

The decision was based on an association between some breast implants and the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

During the course of the TGA review, two companies chose to cancel the inclusion of their implant devices in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). On 2 August 2019, the Allergan company voluntarily recalled their un-implanted Biocell macro-textured breast implants and tissue expanders.

To continue reading, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

When can you apply for leave?

Despite clear employer obligations outlined in the WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA Industrial Agreement 2016 , the AMA (WA) continues to hear accounts of DiTs being advised that they cannot apply for leave at certain times of the year or who are waiting beyond the prescribed times for a response to their leave application.

Common misrepresentations include:

• You can only apply or access leave in week-long blocks – FALSE
• You can only apply for annual leave during certain weeks of the year, dictated by the hospital – FALSE
• You need to organise your own cover while on leave – FALSE
• You need to hold yourself available to come in while on leave – FALSE

To continue reading, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

The West features Medicus article "And so it goes..."

Dr Anne O'Sullivan, Emergency Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, recently wrote an article which took Medicus readers through a day in her working life as an emergency psychiatrist in a busy tertiary hospital.

The West Australian featured this article soon after Medicus was published. The West Australian piece can be found online here. 

Alternatively, to read Dr O'Sullivan's full article, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

Update your details and help us stay in touch with you

Have you changed?

• Your place of practice
• Your contact address
• Your mobile number or email. 

Contact the AMA (WA) to ensure you are in the right membership category.

Are you:

• working part time;
• taking Maternity/Parental Leave;
• heading overseas for training/work;
• completing Fellowship exams in 2020; or
• have you completed training and are now specialised?

To update your details, phone the membership office on 9273 3055; email membership@amawa.com.au or visit the AMA (WA) website. 

Five tips for looking after your household’s finances

Taking care of household finances can be taxing, especially if you have a big family. But with proper planning and budgeting, there’s no need to stress.

Here are some tips to help you effectively manage your household finances.

For assistance with your family finances, please contact AMA Financial Services on 1800 262 346 or email advice@amafp.com.au.

AMA Recruit seeking part-time Medical Officer (Stress Testing)

AMA Recruit has an exciting opportunity for a Medical Officer (Stress Testing) based in Midland, WA. 

• You will be required to perform myocardial perfusion.
• We are looking for someone available to work approximately 3 – 4  hours per shift, working up to 5 days per week 
• The hours/days will fluctuate depending on need, this will be ongoing.
• The pay rate is $91.94 per hour plus casual loading. 
• You will hold Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery or Doctor of Medicine, and hold general registration with AHPRA.
• This role reports to the lead Nuclear Medicine Radiologist for clinical issues and lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist for operational issues.
• You will have access to the MET team at Midland Public Hospital and at the Joondalup Health Campus site.

For further information on this role, please contact Dave Bell on 0439 361 218 or apply online now.

The Department of Human Services announces upgrades to digital health and aged care channels

The Department of Human Services delivers services and payments on behalf of the Department of Health and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) for the Medicare Benefits Scheme, Australian Immunisation Register, the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme and Aged Care.

In the 2017-18 Budget, funding was announced to enhance, stabilise and consolidate the existing health and aged care payments channels.

Their vision is to deliver secure and up-to-date industry standard technology to protect Australia’s health and aged care information, now and into the future.

To do this, the following channels will be upgraded:
 

• Medicare Online
• Australian Immunisation Register - via Medicare Online
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs - via Medicare Online
• ECLIPSE
• PBS Online
• Aged Care

For further information and for regular updates, please visit the Department of Human Services website. 

HealthPathways WA consultations now open

6 – 20 November 2019

HealthPathways WA is a web-based portal with information on assessment, referral and management, helping clinicians to navigate patients through the complex primary, community and acute health care system in Western Australia.

HealthPathways are currently seeking input and feedback from experts in a range of fields to verify pathways. 

There are a range of newly localised pathways open for online consultation. 

The draft pathways for consultation can be accessed through the HealthPathways WA Consultation Site. Consultation closes on 20 November 2019.

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