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Welcome to the AMA's online newsletter

24 July 2018 Issue # 111

Feedback on Med e-link (WA) is welcomed. Send your views to medelink@amawa.com.au .

Excellence in medicine honoured at AMA (WA) Gala Dinner

A pioneer in palliative care, an extraordinary junior doctor and the AMA (WA)’s long-serving Executive Director were all recognised at the AMA (WA)’s annual Gala Dinner and Awards night, held at the Hyatt Regency in Perth.


Dr Doug Bridge, former head of palliative care at Royal Perth Hospital and medical director of the Cottage Hospice, has been instrumental in caring for thousands of West Australians over more than 20 years.

 

Dr Bridge was presented with the AMA (WA) Hippocrates Award, which recognises long term and long-lasting contributions to health and medicine in WA.

The Camille Michener Legacy Award, presented to WA’s top junior doctor, recognises the significant and outstanding contribution by junior doctors in the areas of teaching and education, leadership and advocacy; and the wellbeing of doctors along with community service.

 

This prestigious award was presented to Dr Alison Soerensen for her passionate and conscious advocacy on issues affecting her fellow GP trainees, especially female practitioners.

 

For more information, please click here

 

AMA (WA) President Dr Omar Khorshid re-elected as President

Dr Omar Khorshid was re-elected as AMA (WA) President for a second one-year term at the Association's AGM, held earlier this month. 


Dr Khorshid, an orthopaedic surgeon, was re-elected to the top position unopposed.

“It is an honour to represent the medical profession and to fight for improved public health outcomes in WA,” Dr Khorshid said.

“I am proud of my achievements at the helm of the AMA (WA) thus far, and thank everyone for this vote of confidence.

 

“The AMA’s strong voice in WA depends on a strong membership base, and I am happy to report that the Association’s membership is at an all-time high. The past 12 months have seen us actively work towards recruiting new members and in this, we have been most successful," he said. 

For more on this report, please click here


 

AMA (WA) representatives discuss mental healthcare in WA

AMA (WA) Emergency Medicine Spokesperson A/Prof Dave Mountain and AMA (WA) Psychiatry Spokesperson Dr Martin Chapman appeared on ABC Radio Perth's Focus last week to discuss the current state of WA's mental health system. 

The almost hour-long segment, hosted by ABC broadcaster Nadia Mitsopoulos (pictured), was very well recieved by the community, with listeners calling in to describe their experiences with the mental health system across WA.


Both AMA (WA) representatives spoke strongly on the issue and called for additional government attention to an often overlooked area of healthcare. The segment can be listened to here.

 

New Constitution passed at AGM

Over the past year, the AMA (WA) Board and a sub-committee of the AMA (WA) Council has reviewed the entire AMA (WA) Constitution with a view to amending it to ensure effective governance structures, following the creation of the AMA (WA) Board, and reviewing the composition of the AMA (WA)’s policy making body, the AMA (WA) Council, to reflect the broad range of professional interests. 

 

The proposed amendments to the Constitution were presented to AMA (WA) members for adoption at the Annual General Meeting, held on 4 July 2018, with the required majority voting in favour of adopting the proposed amendments. The AMA (WA) is in the process of registering the adopted amendments.

 

It is anticipated that the new Constitution will increase member participation and representation at an AMA (WA) Council level. 


Full details of the changes to the Constitution will be covered in the July edition of Medicus.

 

WA Health System Employers’ legal obligations prescribed by the Industrial Agreement

The AMA (WA) and medical practitioners employed under the WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA (WA) 2016 Agreement (the Agreement) are often advised to make direct contact with Health Support Services (HSS) in order to resolve issues relating to leave, salary and monetary entitlements. 
 

This often involves medical practitioners or the AMA (WA) engaging in protracted communication with HSS and employers in order to resolve issues that are often the consequence of miscommunication or misunderstanding between the employers listed under the Agreement and HSS.

 

The AMA (WA) has written to all employers party to and bound by the Agreement, advising them that the AMA (WA) will not engage with third parties in order to facilitate employers meeting their legal obligations prescribed by the Agreement. We encourage all medical practitioners covered by the Agreement to deal directly with their employer, as the party who is legally bound to meet all obligations prescribed by the Agreement and not direct issues to HSS.

 

Employers party to and bound by the Agreement are outlined in Clause 3(3):
• Child and Adolescent Health Service
• East Metropolitan Health Service
• North Metropolitan Health Service
• South Metropolitan Health Service
• WA Country Health Service
• Director General of Department of Health
• Mental Health Commission

 

If you encounter any difficulties or your employer refuses to deal with you directly, please contact the AMA (WA).

 

Concern over AHPRA linking to doctors' tribunal decisions on register

AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia are now in the process of including links to published disciplinary decisions and court rulings on the Register of Practitioners. If a doctor has a complaint from a patient resulting in a tribunal hearing, a link to the published decision will be permanently included on a doctor’s entry, regardless of the outcome (unless the decision is solely about a practitioner’s health impairment).

The Federal AMA is actively lobbying against this decision, and any member wishing to discuss their concerns are encouraged to contact the AMA (WA) to discuss it. 

For more information on this issue, please click here

 

AMA Family Doctor Week 2018

AMA Family Doctor Week highlights the role of GPs – our family doctors – and their value to the community and the health system as they deliver high-quality holistic healthcare.

Family Doctor Week will run from Sunday 22 July to Saturday 28 July 2018. The theme for this year’s event is Your family doctor: here for you.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says Australia has one of the best health systems in the world. Its strength stems from General Practice and the pivotal role of the general practitioner. GPs are the first port of call when Australian feel unwell, and GPs manage 90 per cent of the problems they encounter.

Events and activities leading up to and during Family Doctor Week will focus on the benefits of having a family doctor and the invaluable role they play in Australia’s health system. For more details, please click here

 

Are you a GP looking for your next opportunity? Let AMA Recruit help


It's going to be another busy year at AMA Recruit with practices large and small seeking both replacement and growth GP staff.
 

We continue to help a range of GPs who have moved town, completed GP training, or are looking for a new challenge.

 

To view a selection of work options on offer, please click here.

 

The changing nature of the Primary Care jobs market means that not all positions are listed, so please do get in contact if you are looking for work.

 

To discuss GP work options, please feel free to contact AMA Recruit on 9273 3000 or via email.

 

DEA social and sustainability event

Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) is hosting an event on sustainability in the health sector, and some of the lessons to learn from the UK and the NHS Sustainable Development Unit. 

This meeting is open and FREE for both members and non-members. Come, bring a friend or colleague and introduce them to the great work being done by the DEA.

Date: Friday 27 July 2018
Venue: The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship in WA, 276 Onslow Road, Shenton Park. 

To register, please click here


 

ISAP 2018

The AMA (WA), together with the City of Joondalup, ECU and Bethanie are bringing together an international aged care conference for September this year.

The Innovation: Solutions for an Ageing Population International Conference is an annual conference alternating between Australia and Shanghai. The conference aims to provide a “fresh” approach to innovative solutions across the aged care and healthcare industries in a global context.

ISAP 2018 presents a unique opportunity for you and your organisation to connect with our industry delegates across the global aged care spectrum and to share knowledge and information about both practical and operational innovation through education and research, architecture, design, technology and leadership.

Date: 12 - 14 September 2018
Venue: Joondalup Resort, Perth Western Australia

For more details and to register, please click here


 

Free CPR for AMA (WA) members

Have you completed your CPR? RACGP requires CPR to be completed in this 2014 – 2016 triennium.

This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines.

 

This activity attracts 5 category 2 RACGP points and 20 ACRRM points.

The next available CPR session is on Saturday 25 August 2018

 

For more information and registration, please click here.
 

Write in and win

Got something to say? We would love to hear from you!

The AMA (WA)'s publication Medicus is calling on all members to send through any letters they would like to share with the profession. 

Write to us (200 words max) at medicus@amawa.com.au - the best letter will win anything from movie/theatre tickets to bottles of wine. 


 

Win an Audi for the weekend

Drive an Audi A3 Sedan (winner of the prestigious World Car of the Year award in 2014) or an Audi A4 Sedan (Carsales Best Prestige Car under $100,000 two years in a row) or the best-selling Audi Q5 SUV (Carsales Best SUV over $50,000 for 2017).

 

One model of each will be available on the following weekends with pick up on Thursday between 3-5pm and return by 3pm on Monday.

 

26-30 July
2-6 August
9-13 August
16-20 August

 

While enjoying the Audi experience members will have the peace of mind of knowing their own vehicle is safely secured in a lock-up garage at Audi Centre Perth.

 

Please email Des Michael with your desired vehicle and date options. Space is limited, so get in quick to avoid missing out. 

 

Let your wines rest in peace!

Get your wine rack or cellar organised - no matter how large or small your collection.


Vin Tags fit neatly around the neck or top of wine bottles, allowing you to easily identify the bottle in the wine rack or cellar, without moving the bottle and without the tags falling off.


Made from 128gsm matt art paper, the tags can easily be written on with normal ball point pen. 


The AMA (WA) is offering packs containg 50 tags at the following rates:

• 1 pack $8.50
• 2 packs $16.75 (8.35 per pack)
• 5 packs $40.50 (8.10 per pack)
• 10 packs $72.50 (7.25 per pack)
• 20 packs $125.50 (6.275 per pack).

To register your interest, please contact Des Michael

 

Member Benefits

A wide variety of exciting events and movies are on offer in this month's On The Town.

To enter, visit AMA (WA) for your chance to win free double passes to one of these events.

Remember, AMA (WA) members have exclusive access to discounts across a wide range of goods and services.

Various categories of benefits are available and these can be viewed by visiting Member Benefits.

Not a member? Join now!

 


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