Job cuts? Let us know

The AMA (WA) is seeking information on budget cuts in the public health sector and what these will mean for a loss of jobs and the consequent impact on patient care.

From public reports to date and the extremely limited information provided on this matter by the Health Minister, these cuts have the potential to see a large reduction in staff and a consequent negative impact on patient care.

It is extremely difficult for us to obtain reliable information from Government or the Department, which we suspect is a deliberate strategy to implement these cuts while keeping the public in the dark on their extent or likely impact.

Once we have a clear picture of the extent of these cuts the AMA (WA) will begin a media and community campaign to bring the reality to the attention of the public.

It is also our intention to ensure the Department follows its industrial obligations, and if necessary we will take matters to the Industrial Commission.

The AMA (WA) needs to hear from you. We need to know exactly what is being said either to you, your Departments, CSA’s, RMO Societies or other groups that you may be involved with. We need to know any information about cuts to jobs, training positions, and patient services and any examples of where patient safety is being compromised.

If you are a Doctor In Training, we welcome any comments about any implications these cuts will have on training, and what will happen to your training if you are not re-appointed.

Please be assured that all information provided to us will be held in the strictest confidence, and will NOT be shared with either the Health Department or the State Government.

To access the survey, please click here.

AMA (WA) Mental Health survey

The AMA (WA) has sent out a member survey regarding new legislation, the Mental Health Act 2014 (the new Act), due to replace the current Mental Health Act 1996 as of 30 November 2015.

The Association is concerned about the lack of communication and training given to doctors pertaining to the increased administrative obligations, changing clinical responsibilities and legal accountability associated with the new Act. 

As such, we produced a short survey to gauge members understanding of the MH Act 2014, their preparedness for its implementation and the training they have received in preparation for its commencement.

The AMA (WA) encourages members to complete the survey by going to the following link.

2016 Membership Renewal

2015 has seen some major changes to the healthcare sector in WA, with significant impact on WA doctors. Your support is vital to ensure that we continue to advocate on your behalf. 

Your 2016 membership invoice has now been sent and we invite you to renew at this time. For your convenience online membership renewal can be completed through the following link.

Choose the convenience of paying by monthly direct debit (at no additional cost) and you could win one of two Apple iPad Airs!

Thank you for your continued support of the AMA (WA) and we look forward to an exciting year ahead.

AMA Medical Products 2015 Quarter 4 Promotion

AMA (WA) Medical Products is pleased to annouce the launch of its 2015 Quarter 4 Promotion. 

With the promotion set to end by 31 December 2015, there's no better time to snap up some of the incredible deals on offer. 

As a bonus, we will be giving away a free tendon hammer wiith every order, so get in quick to avoid missing out!

For more information, please click here or call (08) 9273 3022.

A gap in your defence insurance could prove very costly

Would you like some extra peace of mind against things that may not traditionally be covered by other policies, or a little extra help or comfort for other unexpected events? 

This specialised product covers a variety of different exposures not normally covered by traditional policies. 

Covering the expenses associated with the defence, and sometimes pursuit, of legal representations, it includes:
 

• Privacy Breaches
• Medicare Audits
• AHPRA Registration Investigation
• Disputes with ATO
• Tenancy/Property Disputes
• Administrative Appeals Tribunal Appeals and more. 

For more information on this product, please click here.

Alcohol in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Researcher Dr Roslyn Giglia is interested in your thoughts and experiences when working with antenatal and postnatal women around the topic of alcohol. She is seeking your feedback on this important preventable area of maternal health in an effort to support Australian GPs, to tackle this sometimes difficult conversation in their daily practice.

This short survey should take around ten minutes to complete. The survey link will close on December 20, 2015.

You can also choose to be further involved in a longer, one-on-one discussion by completing further details within the survey.

For more information, please click here. 

Further information about the study and your involvement (consent) as well as access to the survey is available here. 
 

Travel allowance for DiTs

WA Health unilaterally made a determination regarding the interpretation of clause 46 – Travel Allowance, of the AMA Industrial Agreement, to the effect that junior doctors working rotations at metropolitan health services as part of their training requirements were no longer entitled to claim a travel allowance. This allowance had previously been paid for many years.

The AMA (WA) pursued this issue in the WAIRC; however the Commissioner did not want a decision from this issue to be used as a negotiating platform for the 2016 MHS negotiations.

As a result, WA Health and the AMA (WA) have met again to try and negotiate a settlement on this issue. This negotiation is still going back and forth and no settlement has yet been reached. We will continue to update members on this matter. 

After-hours work - all areas of Perth Metro

We are working with a Home Deputising Service requiring Doctors who are available to cover a range of weekday evenings and weekend shifts. This is well paid work and can help broaden your clinical exposure.

Previous experience in similar After Hours, or Out of Hours settings will be beneficial. The positions available ideally suit VR’d GPs.

If this is something that you are interested in, please contact Dave Bell to discuss on 9273 3000.

Christmas locum required for Tom Price, Pilbara

The family run Tom Price Medical Centre is urgently looking for a GP to help over the Christmas period, between 14 to 29 December.

You will need to have suitable ED skills for WACHS Accreditation.

For details, including of the excellent remuneration, please contact Dave Bell at AMA Recruit on 0439 361 218.

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