End of Life Choices and Palliative Care: A small change or a seismic shift?

The AMA (WA) is holding a symposium for members to advise us on the following issues:

• How do we best fill the gaps in palliative care in WA?
• What lessons can be learnt from jurisdictions where physician-assisted dying is legal?
• What protections would doctors require if physician-assisted dying were introduced in WA? 
• How can vulnerable groups be protected?

Have your say on these issues and help shape AMA (WA) advocacy!

Date: Saturday 5 May 2018, 9:30am - 4pm

Venue: University Club of WA, Hackett Drive, Crawley

Cost: Free. 

This symposium is for AMA (WA) members only, to register your interest in attending, please click here. 

AMA (WA) welcomes COAG Health Council adoption of mandatory reporting laws

The AMA (WA) has congratulated the COAG Health Council for adopting nationally consistent mandatory reporting laws.

“The approach by the AMA in Western Australia to fight for separate and intelligent mandatory reporting laws some years ago has been shown to be the right approach, AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid said in a statement.

“It is tremendous news that Ministers have unanimously agreed to take steps to protect both patients and doctors by implementing a nationally consistent approach to mandatory reporting laws,” he said.

“Doctors, like patients, deserve the right to access health services including mental health.

“Doctors and other health workers are at risk of mental illness and other stress-related issues, yet state laws, apart from those in WA,  have stopped many from seeking treatment due to fears about the impact on their professional reputation and medical registration.

“Every doctor has lost colleagues and friends to mental illness and it was time for all health ministers to show leadership and act, Dr Khorshid said.

For more on this report, please click here. 
 

AMA (WA) AGM set for 4 July 2018

Members are advised that the AMA (WA) Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 4 July, 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 after the meeting.

For more information please contact the Secretariat at 9273 3028.

AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner

Bookings are now open for the AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner and Awards Night to be held on Saturday 30 June 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

Please join us for a magical night of celebration, entertainment and prizes.

For all queries or to reserve your table at the dinner, please contact Skye Connor on 9273 3028 or via email.

Bookings can also be made on the AMA (WA) website.

Please note, following your completed online registration you will be redirected to the AMA (WA) homepage, and a confirmation email of your successful booking will be sent to your email address.

AMA (WA) Junior Doctor of the Year 2018: Nominations open

Established by Helen and Norm Michener with support of the AMA (WA), this annual Award honours the life and achievements of their
beloved daughter, Dr Camille Michener, who tragically died in a car accident on 24 July 2009.

The Award recognises the significant and outstanding contribution of our Doctors in Training (i.e Intern through to Senior Registrar) to the Medical Profession and the Community in areas such as teaching and education; leadership and advocacy; doctors’ wellbeing and community service. These were all activities and values significant to Camille.

A $3,000 grant is awarded to the winner of this prestigious Award.

Nominations for the Award must be made by Monday 30 April 2018.

For nomination details and more information, please click here. 


 

AMA (WA) responds to Federal Government funding boost

The Federal Government's announced funding boost for health will not solve the longer term issues of either the sustainability of the health system in WA or the issue of winning a fair share of the GST.

“This is window dressing in an effort to shore up a couple of marginal Liberal seats with ministers at risk at the next election,” AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid said.
 

"There is good news for the northern suburbs in this announcement, as the money received by Joondalup Hospital is significant. 

“However, there is nothing in the announcement that cements the sustainability of the WA health system. Nor does it solve the continuing inequity of the GST payment system.

“We need to see a substantial shift in the way in which the GST is divided between states to ensure that WA receives a fair return. This minor top-up by the Federal Government hardly provides a firm future for health,” he said. 

For more on this report, please click here. 

ASMOF WA Branch Annual General Meeting 2018

The Annual General Meeting of the WA Branch of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation will be held at 14 Stirling Highway Nedlands WA at 6.15 pm on 21 May 2018.

In accordance with Section 265 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009, the audited financial report for the Branch for the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 will be presented at the meeting.

The report includes the following documents for the abovementioned period:

• An Independent Audit Report provided by Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd.
• A Designated Officers Certificate dated 16 April 2018.
• An Operating Report for the period ended 31 December 2017.
• A Committee of Management Statement for the period ending 31 December 2017.
• A Financial Report for the period ended 31 December 2017.

Members attending the AGM are requested to advise Renee Hay at renee.hay@amawa.com.au or by phone on (08) 9273 3008 by close of business on 18 May 2018. For more information, please click here. 

Why general practice?

Don’t let the ‘general’ in ‘general practitioner’ fool you. GPs are specialists. Like all medical specialists, to be a GP takes an extended period of specialised training. To practice independently as a GP in Australia, you need to achieve a fellowship in general practice training.

Fellowship signifies that a GP has been assessed as competent across the core skills of general practice, enabling him or her to practise safely and unsupervised in Australia.

The best pathway to fellowship is on the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, currently facilitated by nine regional training organisations across Australia.

Applications for the 2019 AGPT program  are now open. If you would like to receive updates on the 2019 AGPT selection process for WA, please email WAGPET at gpcareers@wagpet.com.au.

Applications are made through the college you wish to achieve fellowship with. Visit the ACRRM and RACGP websites for more information. 

Support AMA (WA) Foundation with the 2018/2019 Entertainment Book

The AMA (WA) Foundation was established in 1996 with a focus on health issues facing our youth. The two programs delivered through the Foundation are Dr YES and Youth Friendly Doctor training.

Each year, trained Dr YES medical student volunteers engage with high school students across the state having open and honest discussions about important health issues they face.

A comprehensive training program is delivered during the year to help keep doctors working with adolescence up to date on youth health matters.

Each year the AMA (WA) Foundation raises some funds for the youth programs from those who subscribe to membership of the Entertainment Book via the AMA (WA) Foundation link. With every membership sold, 20 per cent will be donated to the AMA (WA) Foundation.

Valid until 1 June, 2019, the Entertainment Book is available now for only $70.

For enquiries, please contact Beverly Williamsom at the AMA on 9273 3000 or via email. To directly purchase the Entertainment Book online, please click here. 

Tailored Insurance solutions for Medical Professionals

AMA Financial Services has recently partnered up and has been accredited to offer the full suite of insurance products offered by PPS Mutual.

When you join PPS Mutual, you get exclusive access to a tailor-made portfolio of insurance benefits called PPS Mutual Professionals Choice – each one created to answer the specific protection needs of a defined group of Australia’s professionals.

And, on top of this, you also receive a share of the annual profit generated by the PPS Mutual product.

After ten years’ membership you can start to withdraw this money from your Profit-Share account. That’s because you’re not just a customer, you’re a Member – you have a stake in PPS’s business and the profits generated by the PPS Mutual products.

There’s more:

• Members share in the company’s ownership.
• Members share in the profits that the PPS Mutual product generates.
• Insurance risks and returns are shared with others with similar lifestyles.
• Annual Profit-Share allocation to the Member’s Profit-Share Account.
• Accumulated profit partly available after 10 years – and fully available after 20.

To arrange a quote, contact AMA Financial Services on 1800 262 287.

Do you have a fantastic practice manager?

The AAPM Practice Manager of the Year awards recognise the dedication and professionalism of Practice Managers working in all areas of health care.

Each State Practice Manager of the Year will receive flights, accommodation and registration for the 2018 AAPM National Conference in Canberra, a great opportunity to be inspired and motivated to lead your practice forward.

They will also be Finalists for the National Practice Manager of the Year Award and this recipient will be the lucky winner of a $5,000 travel voucher, with thanks to our National Partner, AGPAL/QIP.

For more information and to nominate your Practice Manager, please click here. Nominations close 8 May 2018.

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