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Welcome to the AMA (WA)'s online newsletter. Feedback on Med e-link (WA) is welcomed from members. Send your views to medelink@amawa.com.au.

General Meeting

Urgent General Meeting called over salaried doctors' agreement

An urgent General Meeting of public sector salaried doctors will be held on Tuesday December 18, to consider the breakdown in negotiations with the WA Government over the Industrial Agreement.

The breakdown follows the Government's insistence that Senior Practitioners be able to be temporarily moved across the entire greater Perth metropolitan area for periods up to three months.

This is contrary to the AMA (WA)'s understanding of the final agreement and which led to the previous General Meeting accepting the concept of Area Health Service mobility on a permanent or temporary basis.

The meeting will be held at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's FJ Clarke Lecture Theatre in Nedlands starting at 6:15pm.

For inquiries please contact the association on (08) 9273 3008.

President's Message: What a year!

2007 has been an incredibly active year for AMA (WA). For a start, there's been protracted negotiations on the terms and conditions of service for doctors working in the public health system.
These included negotiations on behalf of specialty groups, representation of individual members and seeking to engage in the VMP agreement that covers service to outer metropolitan and country hospitals.

In the legislative arena, the AMA (WA) made submissions on the draft bills for the Medical Act, Consent to Medical Treatment Act and legislation on the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. Our lobbying for public health included submissions on methamphetamine abuse, cannabis control, smoking in cars and alfresco areas of pubs, cafes and restaurants, and the hazards of excessive alcohol consumption.

Then there's been the association's repeated calls for more beds to ease the pressure on overcrowded emergency department and for incentives to attract and retain more health professionals. We've also advocated for improved infrastructure and staffing to support increased medical student teaching, including the need for more support in General Practice.

On the membership side this year we included the Member Services and Benefits Directory, continuation of the Police/AMA Medical Identity card and a 50 per cent discount for Doctors in Training on their membership subscriptions in the year of their Fellowship exams. Socially, we had the very successful AMA Foundation Charity Golf Day and the outstanding AMA Awards Night and Charity Dinner at the Art Gallery of WA. And of course, many members enjoyed the educational and networking experience provided by our second Overseas Clinical Conference held in Istanbul.

And there was much, much more.

We have a fantastic team at the AMA (WA) and I look forward to 2008 being another great year for our members.

AMA welcomes Nicola Roxon as Health Minister

President of the Federal AMA, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today the AMA welcomes the opportunity to continue a productive relationship with Nicola Roxon following her appointment as Minister for Health and Ageing.

Dr Capolingua said Ms Roxon's knowledge of the health system and familiarity with the key organisations will allow her to get off to a flying start in the portfolio.

More >>

New AMA Chief

The Executive Council of the Federal AMA has appointed Mr Francis Sullivan as Secretary General of the Federal AMA. Mr Sullivan, who has been CEO of Catholic Health Australia for 14 years, will take up the position in February 2008.

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, thanked Mr Kerry Gallagher for providing outstanding service and support to the AMA as interim Secretary General over the last five months.

Increases in VMP schedules

Following submissions and discussions by the AMA with the State Health Department, the following adjustments have been made to State Government VMP schedules, based on the Federal AMA Medical Fees Index measuring movements in practice costs and general movements in income on a discipline by discipline basis. This increase takes effect from December 1.

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AMA cannabis campaign wins Government support

Recommendations by the Drug and Alcohol Office that teenage cannabis offenders undergo mandatory education sessions, are strongly supported by the AMA (WA).

“A review of WA's cannabis laws has made a number of sensible and practical recommendations which could go a long way towards reducing the widespread use of cannabis amongst young people in WA,” said association President Prof Geoff Dobb.

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AMA Prize winner

UWA Medical School graduate, James Whittle, won the 2007 AMA Prize for the student with the highest aggregate marks for the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

Dr Whittle, of Nedlands (pictured with AMA (WA) President Prof Geoff Dobb) received the award – the AMA (WA) Gold Medal, a bronze bust of Hippocrates and $500 – during the annual dedication ceremony in November.

Dr Whittle said he felt honoured to have won the award and was looking forward to his placements at Port Hedland Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital.

Full story and pics of the graduating 'Class of 2007' in December Medicus.

Commonwealth Bank concessions

The Commonwealth Bank offers AMA members a 0.85% concession on home loans, subject to certain conditions.

This offer is not available through your local Commonwealth Bank branch but with the Personal Relationship sector of the bank. To access this offer, members will need to contact the Membership Office.

For more information call (08) 9273 3055 or email membership@amawa.com.au.

Free USB worth $50!

By now you would have received your 2008 Subscription in the mail. Don't forget, that by paying your subscription by January 31 you will receive a free USB worth $50! For all Direct Debit members, you will also receive your USB in the mail.

To pay your subscription online contact our Membership Office on (08) 9273 3055 or click here to pay online.