AMA (WA) warns that severe flu could hit the state soon

West Australians are possibly looking at one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, the AMA (WA) has warned.

Recent data received from Queensland Health shows that hospital admissions from influenza have doubled when compared to last year’s figures, with most of the flu notifications appearing to be the H1N1 swine flu strain.

For more on this report, please click here. 

To find out more information on the 2014 seasonal influanza vaccination program, please click here. 

Meeting on mental health

AMA (WA) President, Dr Richard Choong, recently met with the WA Minister for Mental Health to discuss a range of issues that had been raised by AMA members working in the Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine fields in WA.

Dr Choong was joined at the meeting by Dr Alexandra Welborn and Associate Professor David Mountain, the Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine Representatives on AMA (WA) Council.

The meeting focused mainly on AMA member concerns about the Mental Health Bill and matters relating to the recommendations of the report compiled by Professor Bryant Stokes on the discharge and transfer practices of public mental health facilities and services in WA.

Much of the discussion centred on workforce issues (i.e. the need for more public sector Psychiatrists and low workforce morale), lack of Psychiatrists in leadership positions within mental health, the need for more mental health beds, management of mental health patients within hospital EDs and the impact of the Mental Health Bill on Clinicians.

For more on this report, please click here.

Centralised Referral System update

AMA (WA) President, Dr Richard Choong and Chair of the AMA (WA) Council of General Practice, Dr Steve Wilson recently met with WA Department of Health staff to discuss the introduction of the Central Referral System (CRS) in WA. 

The CRS was launched in WA by the Department of Health on Monday 24 February.  The introduction of the CRS represents a fundamental change to the way in which referrers have, until now, been referring their patients to initial specialist outpatient appointments.

The AMA (WA) raised concerns that many GPs and Specialists were not aware of the changeover to the CRS and were not aware of the implications of the changeover for themselves and their patients. 

Whilst the DoH attempted to circulate the information widely, feedback from our members indicated that many were uninformed about this significant change to current referral processes.

For more on this report, please click here. 

WA needs specialised problem behaviour program: AMA (WA)

The State Government should establish a specialised problem behaviour program similar to the services offered in Victoria, the AMA (WA) said today.

Dr Alexandra Welborn, an AMA (WA) Council member and the AMA psychiatrist spokesperson, said that without specialist care, offenders with serious mental health disorders could subvert treatment and reoffend.

For more on this report, please click here.

eCredential® System for HDWA Medical Practitioners

WA Department of Health has recently implemented a new Credentialing and Clinical Scope of Practice system to support the medical practitioner credentialing process across the public hospital system.

The new system, to be known as CredWA, will provide for more streamlined and efficient medical credentialling work practices, in line with best-practice, and support the WA Medical Credentialling Policy.

For more information, please click here.

AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner - book now!

Bookings are now open for the AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner and Awards Night to be held on Saturday 7 June at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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

For all queries or to reserve your table at the dinner, contact Liz Gray direct on 9273 3027 or via email. Bookings are also available online. 

GP Careers Hospital Information Sessions

Interested in finding out more about general practice training or community placements as part of your residency?

Come along to a WAGPET information session at your local metropolitan or regional hospital to learn about your general practice opportunities.

Click here to find a session.

For more information contact gpcareers@wagpet.com.au.

Nominations for 2014 AMA (WA) Awards now open

The AMA (WA) is calling for nominations of medical professionals who have made a significant contribution to medicine.

The award will be judged by an independent panel, with the winner being presented with the prestigious 'Hippo' prize at the AMA (WA) Awards Dinner, to be held on Saturday 7 June 2014.

Nominations are invited from all sectors of the medical profession. It is expected that nominees will have demonstrated a tireless dedication to either the service of others, their chosen fields, or be a pioneer in the health and medical research sector.

Past winners include Prof Alex Cohen, Dr Michael McCall, Prof Bryant Stokes and Prof Fiona Wood.

Nominations close Thursday 1 May 2014.
To nominate an individual for this award, please send the completed nomination form with a summary of your nominee's achievements and contributions to Liz Gray.

MBS Explanatory Notes Updated

The Department of Human Services has updated its Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) explanatory notes to provide clarity in relation to charging co-payments when bulk billing. The update reiterates that no additional charges can be raised for bulk billed services.

For more information, please click here. 

Meningococcal B Vaccine available

As of 5 March 2014, the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero® (4CMenB) is available for purchase on the private market at an estimated cost of $125 per dose.

It is expected that Manufacturer Novartis will apply for a second time to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee for funding under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in July.

For more information, please click here. 

Amendments to Australian Immunisation Handbook

A number of minor amendments to correct inadvertent errors, clarify minor inconsistencies and provide updated information relating to web links and references have been made to the Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition.

There has been no change to any vaccine recommendations.

For more information, please click here. 

Mental Health forum to set a new agenda for research

New priorities in mental health research and translation are to be identified by a collaboration of scientists, clinicians and the community at a unique Meeting for Minds Mental Health, to be held on 14 and 15 May.

Clinicians, scientists and those with lived experience of mental illness from around the world will gather at the inaugural 'Meeting for Minds' Mental Health Forum to provide multiple perspectives in mental health and neuroscience through an innovative program of discussion and debate.

For more information about the forum, registration and sponsorship opportunities, please click here.

When travelling, you do deserve the absolute best

Did you know AMA Insurance Brokers have an amazing corporate travel policy?
Our annual multi-trip travel insurance policy could help save you and your family time, money, and stress.

The policy:

• Allows you to travel for both business and leisure trips.
• Your family are covered when travelling together with you*
• Worried about any pre-existing health conditions – They are covered*
• Unlimited medical expenses including emergency evacuation – no stress
• You can travel anywhere under its worldwide coverage
• Unlimited number of trips up to180 days duration – you can travel trip after trip after trip
• Available up to the age of 75 & renewable up to the age of 85
*conditions apply

Annual cover up to 31 March 2015.
Call 1300 763 766 For more information on the features provided, or see our Annual Travel Insurance information brochure.

Chair, Communication and Clinical Practice Domain position available

The University of Notre Dame's School of Medicine invites applications from suitably qualified practitioners for this challenging and diverse leadership position.

The Chair of the Communication and Clinical Practice (CCP) Domain is responsible for the ongoing development, coordination and implementation of the CCP Domain curriculum within the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery course.

Applications close at 9am, Monday 31 March 2014.

For more information on this position, please click here. 

Pre-event health information

The Australian Medical Association (WA) recommends the distribution of the the following health advice to registered participants in amateur  fun runs, triathlons and distance swims.

There are particular medical concerns and potentially fatal health impacts resulting from the exertion required for these sporting events.

Where an event requires high physical exertion, and attracts novice exercisers, there must be comprehensive health information provided as a matter of course to anyone registering.

To view the guidelines, please click here. 

Need to get away? Great Locum doctor available!

AMA Recruit has a GP Locum available to cover June/July 2014. 

This female Vocationally Registered GP is subject to 19AB and therefore can only work in a DWS area.

If you would like to take a break and need a locum GP to cover your absence, contact Margaret Templeton at AMA Recruit, or phone 9273 3033 for more information.

AMA (WA) Medical Products 2014 Autumn Promotion.

AMA (WA) Medical Products has launched its 2014 Autumn Promotion.

With the promotion set to end by 30 May 2014, there's no better time to snap up some of the fantastic deals on offer.

Electronic tables, audiometers, dopplers, vital signs monitors, medical lighting, stethoscopes and much more are on offer, all at heavily reduced prices.

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

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