The State Government has long run out of excuses for the near-catastrophic congestion that is choking our emergency departments and leading to ambulances endlessly waiting in hospital lines, AMA (WA) President Dr Mark Duncan-Smith said this week.

He stressed the critical nature of this issue and the ever-growing chance that these 'ramped' patients will face a long, and perhaps life-threatening, wait while a hospital bed is found for them.

The Fair Work Commission and the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission handed down their 2021 Minimum Wage Decisions on 16 and 24 June 2021 respectively, increasing both State and Federal Awards by 2.5 per cent.

All increases take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2021 and apply to the following awards:

• Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (Federal)
• Nurses Award 2010 (Federal)
• Nurses (Doctors Surgeries) Award 1977 (State);
• Clerks (Commercial, Social and Professional Services) Award 1972 (State)

The latest edition of Medicus has just dropped and here’s the perfect opportunity for both AMA (WA) members and non-members to read all about newly elected AMA (WA) President Dr Mark Duncan-Smith.

Our cover story this month looks at Dr Duncan-Smith’s career, why he put his hand up for the top job, and his plans for the AMA (WA) going forward.

Mental health receives a healthy focus in this edition too, with Professor Martin Chapman and Dr Anne O’Sullivan’s articles on the issue a sobering yet enlightening read.

Of course, don’t miss our coverage of MEDCON21 and the AMA (WA) Gala Ball and Awards Night – all the highlights and the happy snaps!

Date:     Monday, 26 July 2021

Time:     8.30am (Registration)
              9.00am to 4.00pm (Workshop)

Venue:   Curtin University, Midland Campus
              Centennial Place, Midland 6052

Over three evenings, the AMA’s National Conference is open to all AMA members and non-member medical professionals in Australia. Internationally-based medical professionals interested in medico-political issues within Australia are also welcome to register.

Dates: Wednesday, 28 July to Saturday, 31 July.

View the conference welcome from AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid.

Date:    Wednesday 21 July 2021
Time:    8am-1pm (registrations from 7.30am)
Venue:  Optus Stadium
             Black Swan Room 
             333 Victoria Park Drive, Burswood WA 6100

Commencing on Friday, 10 September, the Ride aims to raise: 

• funds for refuges for women and their children in WA experiencing family and domestic violence; and
• awareness in the community of the nature and scale of family and domestic violence.

Thank you to the AMA (WA) team members Dr Con Phatouros, Dr Brendan McQuillan, Dr Niall Henry and Dr Andrew Thompson for taking on this challenge and hoping to raise over $8,000 for this worthy cause.