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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.

New $10K grant up for grabs from AMA(WA)/Healthway

A major new public health award that will recognise efforts made by WA community organisations has been inaugurated in 2008. The Healtheir WA Award is a joint initiative of Healthway and the Australian Medical Association in WA. All kinds of WA-based community organisations including businesses, Government, community service groups, sports or arts organisations both big and small will be encouraged to nominate their program and projects that have been implemented to improve the health of WA people.

The award will be made annually with the winner receiving a trophy and a $10,000 grant to be used to continue or enhance the winning project. For more information, contact Chris Kane at the AMA(WA) on 9273 3027 or chris.kane@amawa.com.au ... >>more

AMA to fight scourge of fast, fatty food

For the first time in history, Australians are facing a shortened of life expectancy due to fast food and inactivity according to a report released by the newly-formed Public Health Advocacy Institute in Perth. The AMA is a partner of the Institute, which has been formed to lobby for stronger Government intervention in public health matters. AMA Federal President Rosanna Capolingua (left) said at the Institute’s launch that strong Government action was needed to tackle Australia’s ever-growing waistlines… >>more

Boost to tackle binge-drinking falls short: AMA(WA)

A new $53.5 million campaign launched by the Federal Government this week to tackle binge drinking in young people has been welcomed by the AMA(WA) but not without some reservations.

The new funding will include $14.4 million to invest in community initiatives to confront binge drinking culture, $19.1 million to assist young people to assume personal responsibility for binge drinking and $20 million to fund advertising that confronts young people with the consequences of binge drinking... >>more

AMA(WA) President Prof Geoff Dobb echoed concerns raised by the Democrats that the new program failed to take a broad, multi-faceted approach to the issue to include pricing, taxation, marketing, availability and regulation of alcohol. The Democrats have called for a full alcohol inquiry... >>more

In the know: presentations on the new agreement continue

The AMA(WA) Hospital Meetings Program to provide details and answer questions on the successful negotiations between the AMA(WA) and State Government, resulting in a new MHS Salaried Doctors agreement, are continuing.

Detailed summaries have also been sent to interns, residents, registrars and senior doctors.

Dental plan pulled

The Federal Government has cancelled a scheme to allow people with chronic illnesses to be referred to dentists by their GP for Medicare-eligible treatment.

The scheme, set up late last year, has been cut as part of the Commonwealth’s health reform process and in a notice to GPs said: “The Government will negotiate with the States and Territories to provide priority services to patients with chronic disease, allowing patients who previously qualified for the closing chronic care dental items to access treatment where they are eligible for publicly funded care”… >>more

At the same time, the Government announced a $360 million dental plan for teens which would allow families to claim up to $150 for an annual check-up for children aged 12 to 17.

Health insurance hikes again as Minister demands answers

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has approved a rise in health insurance premiums of just below 5 per cent.

WorkCover medical specialist training available

Medical practitioners keen to branch out as WorkCover approved medical specialists are able to undergo training later this month in Sydney. The American Medical Association level five training is to be held at Royal North Shore Hospital on March 29 and 30… >>more

WorkCover WA will be holding a follow-up and update session in the WorkCover WA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment second edition on April 29. To register, call Ellen Thurley on 9388 5600 or ellen.thurley@workcover.wa.gov.au.

Targeted training to help GPs treat eating disorders

A new GP-specific course is being run by Princess Margaret Hospital’s Eating Disorders Training and Evaluation centre. The course, run on June 24 for three hours at a cost of $25, will be delivered by physicians with more than ten years experience. GPs across the metropolitan area are encouraged to attend for the most up-to-date strategies on treatment of eating disorders… >>more

AMA(WA) lobbying pays off for rural and regional housing

After years of lobbying by the AMA(WA), the State Government earlier this month announced five new houses in Port Hedland and another 10 across the Pilbara for doctors’ accommodation… >>more

In 2005, the condition of State-owned housing for doctors in regional and remote WA outraged the community, leading to a high-profile article in The West Australian… >>more

Walk like an Egyptian with the AMA(WA)

Places on the 2008 AMA(WA) Clinical Conference in Cairo scheduled for early September are already filling up fast. The tour, which will include an eight-day sight-seeing trip through Cairo, is the latest from the AMA(WA) which has also run trips to exotic corners of the world like Shanghai and Turkey.

On the tour guests will see the Sphinx and Pyramids, experience the unrivalled Egyptian Museum, the famous Khan el Khalili Bazaar markets and participate in an informative conference program. There will also be a post conference Nile cruise option from Aswan to Luxor. For more information, contact Chris Kane at the AMA(WA) on 9273 3027 or chris.kane@amawa.com.au.

Breathing easy: AMA(WA) provides CPR training

The AMA is providing a free accredited CPR training course for AMA GP members throughout 2008.

The first CPR course, held at the AMA headquarters in Nedlands this month, was proven to be a great success.

The three hour course was facilitated by Mandy Steele and covered the new Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) CPR Guidelines, CPR technique, and bleeding and shock management.

Feedback from those who attended was very positive, with many saying they found the workshop informative, interactive and very timely given the requirements of the RACGP 2008 - 2010 Triennium QA&CPD Program, which requires GPs to participate in an accredited CPR training course.

For further information, please contact Monica Gianfrancesco on 9273 3033 or visit the Events Calendar at www.amawa.com.au.