Final concrete pour at Perth Children’s Hospital a missed opportunity

The final concrete pour at the Perth Children’s Hospital represents a missed opportunity, said AMA (WA) President Dr Michael Gannon.

“Princess Margaret Hospital has been a significant part of Western Australia’s health history – but it is an ageing building, well past its prime. We will have a new hospital for the children of WA next year and for this, we congratulate the State Government,” Dr Gannon said.

However the Association maintains that the government’s vision of a ground-breaking hospital that will adequately support paediatric services in the State is fundamentally flawed.

For more on this story, please click here. 

Sleight of hand on MBS Indexation

As flagged in the Federal Budget in May, the Federal Government has announced a two per cent indexation increase in fees for a number of general practitioner services, which will take effect from 1 July 2014.

The increase was posted on MBS Online last week.

AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said today that the AMA notes this modest increase for GP services, but warned it is inadequate and would be swallowed up by a range of cuts next year.

For more information, please click here. 

Breakfast with the Minister for Health for Public Health Salaried Practitioners

Over 100 members attended a breakfast with the Minister for Health on 12 June 2014. The event was organised by the AMA (WA) primarily for the purpose of facilitating feedback from the Minister on issues pertaining to the transition of health services to Fiona Stanley Hospital from October 2014.

The session generated healthy debate on a range of issues not all of which were answered during the session. The AMA will follow up with the Minister’s office to obtain answers to all issues raised.

The AMA will continue to provide information on the issues raised via email or on the website.

To find out more, please click here.

Fiona Stanley Hospital Update

On 11 June 2014 the AMA (WA) met with Dr Paul Mark, Director of Clinical Services, and Dr John Keenan to discuss issues affecting doctors in the transition to the new hospital. The discussion focused mainly on rostering and contract matters raised by members generally and also in response to the AMA (WA) President’s email sent on 9 June.

Dr Mark and Dr Keenan have agreed to hold further meetings to provide the AMA with rostering information over the coming weeks and months when specific information is available.

The AMA (WA) will publish the responses on its website.

Recognising excellence at the Annual AMA (WA) Charity Gala Dinner

One of Australia’s best-known medical researchers and a former federal minister were recognised with prestigious awards by the Australian Medical Association (WA).

Senior Australian of the Year 2014 and former Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Fred Chaney AO, was awarded the AMA President’s Award for working continually for better health outcomes for all Australians, especially Indigenous citizens.

For more on the AMA (WA) Annual Gala Dinner, please click here.

More pharmacotherapy prescribers treating fewer clients

More prescribers are available for people seeking opioid pharmacotherapy drug treatment, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Dependence on opioid drugs, such as heroin and morphine, is often treated with an opioid pharmacotherapy drug, such as methadone, which can reduce drug cravings, improve physical and mental health and reduce drug-related crime.

The report, National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics 2013, shows that on a snapshot day in 2013, over 47,000 clients received pharmacotherapy treatment for their opioid dependence at 2,355 dosing points around Australia

For more on this story, please click here. 

Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPSE) – forgotten but not gone

Are movement disorders (commonly known as extrapyramidal side effects, EPSE) "yesterday’s" side effect? One would think so looking at the plethora of medical literature that appears to focus almost exclusively on the metabolic adverse consequences of antipsychotic treatment.

Certainly, given the ubiquitous use of atypical antipsychotic drugs, clinicians are less likely to observe EPSE in clinical practice.

However, EPSE are not restricted solely to the typical antipsychotic agents, they are also an unwelcome adverse effect of certain atypicals, especially when used at high doses and in combination.

Given that EPSE cause considerable subjective distress, may lead to physical disability and poor compliance with medication, EPSE should remain at the forefront of side-effect monitoring.

For more information, please click here. 

AMA Insurance Brokers & Financial Services: the one-stop-shop for all of your insurance needs

AMA Insurance Brokers & Financial Services is a team of 17 insurance professional who can assist you with ALL of your insurance needs (from your car to your professional liability, as well as your investments for your future and everything in between)

With 25 years’ experience behind us, you will enjoy our wealth of knowledge, understanding of your needs and often the unique challenges that working in the medical/health industry brings.

With all profits returning to the AMA (WA), it is an absolute 'win-win' so visit our new website to see what is available to you and how we can help! 

If you are not ready to review your insurance policies, just drop us a line via email, and our Businees Development Manager Sue Jowett will call you closer to the date. 

AMA Family Doctor Week

The AMA’s Family Doctor Week highlights the work and dedication of GPs – Australia’s family doctors – and the issues they encounter as they deliver high-quality healthcare to their local communities.

The theme for this year’s event is Your Family Doctor: Keeping you Healthy. 

Nearly 90 per cent of Australians have a regular family doctor. We know that people who have an ongoing relationship with their family doctor enjoy better health.

Family Doctor Week is running from Monday 21 July to Saturday 26 July 2014.

For information on the events and activities planned for Family Doctor Week, please click here.

New DVA Gold, White and Orange Health Cards 2014

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is pleased to advise you of recent changes to the DVA Gold, White and Orange Health Cards.

Throughout June 2014, DVA Gold, White and Orange Health Cards will be reissued to all eligible DVA persons.  The new cards enable eligible persons to continue to access DVA-funded healthcare services.

For more information about the changes to DVA Health Cards, please click here.

Locum availability for December 2014

Are you looking for a locum in December 2014? We have a female vocationally registered doctor who is currently planning her locum commitments and has the month of December available.

If you would like to secure the services of our highly qualified and skilled locum for the month of December 2014 and are located in a District of Workforce Shortage, please contact Margaret Templeton on 9273 3033 or via email.

Great discounts available in this year's Entertainment Book

Help us raise funds for the AMA (WA) Foundation by ordering the new Entertainment Book. By ordering through the AMA (WA), 20 per cent of your purchase will go towards the Foundation.

Great discounts are available on a range of products including restaurants, leisure activities, accommodation and much more.

Order online, or contact Louise at AMA reception on 9273 3000 or via email before 30 April 2014 to receive an extra bonus!

For more information, please click here.

AMA (WA) Medical Products 2014 EOFY Promotion

AMA (WA) Medical Products has launched its 2014 End of Financial Year (EOFY) Promotion.

Follow the link below to see our large range of medical products with super savings and bonuses. The promotion runs from June through to the end of August 2014.

From stethoscopes to wheelchairs and ECGs to Spirometers, AMA (WA) Medical Products has all the equipment you need. Contact our customer service team who are local, friendly, motivated and have the technical knowledge to provide the sales experience you deserve.

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

The risks of online communication and social media for medical professionals

This two-hour highly interactive education session will explore maintaining privacy and professionalism when using social media, educational discussion forums, doctor review websites, email, practice webpages, internet searches and blogs.

It is ideal for doctors at all stages of their career as well as their support staff and medical students.

Date: Thursday 3 July. 6pm for a 6:30pm start.
Venue: AMA (WA), Nedlands
Cost: Members and a Practice Manager FREE. Non Members: $50

For registration and more information, please click here.

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