State Government needs to get tough on hospital smoking: AMA (WA)

The State Government needs to get tough on policing smoking at our public hospitals, AMA (WA) President Dr Michael Gannon said today.

“Incredibly, despite only being open for a matter of days, the entrance to Fiona Stanley Hospital is already littered with cigarette butts,” Dr Gannon said.

“It is completely unacceptable that patients visiting the newest, most advanced hospital in Australia have to walk through clouds of filthy cigarette smoke on their way into the hospital.

“The State Government needs to start policing smoking at hospitals, as people continue to ignore the plethora of no-smoking signs on site.

For more information on this report, please click here. 

How to determine the right fees for your practice

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 to assist those considering moving from bulk billing to patient billing, the AMA provides members with tools and resources, which are available here.

For more information, please click here. 

Update on Health Department's policy on excess leave

The AMA (WA) has held lengthy negotiations with the Department of Health and the A/Director General following publication of the Department’s policy on excess leave.

The policy contained a number of options for the clearing of excess leave, including the suggestion that practitioners accept a cash payout in lieu. However, the Department refused to include key allowances in any cash payouts.

The AMA has successfully negotiated an agreement to have Arrangement A private practice income allowance and professional development allowance included in the cashing out of excess annual or long service leave. The allowances can now be paid as if the leave was taken and not paid out.

For more information on this Industrial update, please click here. Please note this information is only accessible to AMA (WA) Members.

Online learning modules for adverse event reporting

The TGA and NPS Medicinewise have worked together to create two interactive online learning modules designed to improve adverse event reporting by health professionals in relation to medicines, vaccines and medical devices.

The modules will explain the importance of, and the responsibility for, reporting adverse events, how to build reporting into practice, and what happens to reports once they are submitted to the TGA.

For more information, please click here. 

Productivity Commission highlights efficiency and value for money of GP services

Federal AMA President A/Prof Brian Owler has said that the latest Productivity Commission report highlights that general practice is the most efficient and cost-effective part of the Australian health system.

A/Prof Owler said that the Commission’s Report on Government Services 2015 illustrates the key role that GPs play in the health system, and the value that the community gets from the Government’s investment in general practice.

“The Productivity Commission has provided further evidence that the Government’s Budget measures for general practice are unwarranted and ill-directed,” A/Prof Owler said.

“General practice remains accessible and affordable for most Australians, and ultimately provides savings for the Government by keeping people out of more expensive hospital care.

For more on this report, please click here. 

Services provided by the Neurological Council of WA

The Neurological Council of WA (NCWA) wishes to inform health professionals across the State of the services it provides. 

Founded in 1992, the Council aims to work in partnership with government and non-government organisations to ensure that appropriate services are accessible for all people with neurological conditions.

NCWA acts as an initial central point of contact for the client and can provide support to the client throughout their life if they so wish. Services include:

• Supported self-management to increase well-being
• Education about the disease process, symptom management, treatment and medication
• Advocacy
• System navigation and explanation
• Liaison with GPs, neurologists and other health professionals
• Social support and support groups, including events and outings.

For more information about the NCWA, please click here. 

Copyright © 2013 Australian Medical Association of Western Australia
14 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009. Ph (08) 9273 3000