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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.

Summit idea could make task substitution a reality

The AMA(WA) is concerned GPs may no longer be the gatekeepers to primary healthcare under a new plan mooted at the 2020 Summit which could force patients to see allied and other health professionals rather than a doctor.

The concept was suggested at the Summit, which did not include an AMA representative, after various interest groups raised concerns about the shortage of doctors in primary care.

AMA Federal President Dr Rosanna Capolingua said it was pleasing the concept was not given strong support, as doctors were the people best placed to make decisions about patients' needs...>>more

"If we are talking about patient-centred care then let's make sure that the patient is not compromised," she said.

The Summit also gave little consideration to the Australian General Practice Network chief executive Kate Carnell's plan to introduce fund-holding which would restrict patients' rights to choose a doctor.

AMA(WA) Council of General Practice chair Dr Steve Wilson said under the AGPN's Summit proposal, patients would no longer receive a rebate from the Government for these medical services and may even lose their choice of doctor.

“Of greater concern is the push by AGPN to hold the funds which could see GPs becoming employees of Divisions." >>more

Dr Capolingua said the fund-holding model suggested by the AGPN was an old model not relevent to modern-day Australian health-care... >>more

Busting the national registration myth

The AMA has continued its fight against the Federal Government's implementation of a national registration and accreditation scheme, which would move control of registration, scope of practice of medical practitioners, competency and other crucial areas to a remote central bureau in Canberra rather than State-based medical boards.

AMA Federal President Dr Rosanna Capolingua said in a circular to members that the AMA supported a national register to allow interstate mobility of medical practitioners but had vocally opposed a scheme that took accreditation of training standards away from profession dominated or independent processes into a Government-controlled bureaucratic environment...>>more

The COAG agreement, signed by health ministers on March 26, puts in jeopardy the high standards of the medical profession... >>more

For more, see AMA(WA) President Geoff Dobb's column in the next edition of Medicus.

PMH relocation, staffing Budget priorities: AMA(WA)

WA Treasurer Eric Ripper (left) needs to fund the co-location and reconstruction of Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial Hospitals to Nedlands in the next Budget to keep the State's health reform agenda on track, the AMA(WA) said.

Under the 2004 Reid Report, the two aging hospitals that cater for the State's sickest children and high-risk births were to be co-located next to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to allow greater flexbility in care.

AMA(WA) President Prof Geoff Dobb said the other big-ticket health items that needed to be included in next month's budget were additional funds for staffing and training, 400 more staffed beds, and recurrent spending for equipment replacement... >>more

New survey shows doctors' balancing act still a challenge

Most doctors want flexible work arrangements to allow them to spend more time with family and friends, a survey released by the AMA has revealed.

The Work-Life Flexibility Survey showed that 81 per cent of hospital doctors wanted greater access to flexible working arrangements to allow them to spend more time with friends and family, take time to look after kids or continue formal training...>>more

The real deal on GM food and how to fight it

Doctors for the Environment will be holding a meeting on genetically modified foods on May 15 at the University of WA's staff club from 6pm.

Registration is due before May 1 at a cost of $55. Guest speakers will include agriculture biotechnologist Professor Michael Jones, nutritional biochemist and epidemiologist Dr Judy Carman and environmental scientist and molecular biologist Sharon Fox.

Registration forms are available here and the meeting will centre around how doctors have engaged in the GM food debate, how it will affect our future and whether doctors understand the arguments for and against GM foods.

Procedural GP places available for AMA(WA) members

The AMA recruitment division has various positions available for procedural GP doctors from June 2008 onwards.

Excellent remuneration packages which include salary, motor vehicle, accommodation and various allowances are included.

Anaesthetic and/or obstetric experience essential.

Should you wish to discuss these positions in further detail please contact Shanda Woods on on (08) 9273 3033 or email shanda.woods@amawa.com.au.

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 organised medical conferences to exotic corners of the world like Shanghai and Turkey.

Count-down is on to inaugural Healthier WA winner

Nominations for the inaugural Healthier WA Award, which will provide $10,000 to a community, business or charity organisation promoting public health strategies in WA, close at the end of April.

The award, launched earlier this year by the AMA(WA) and Healthway, will be presented during the annual Charity Dinner and Gala Ball at Government House on June 14.

For more information, please call Chris Kane at the AMA(WA) on 9273 3027 or email chris.kane@amawa.com.au.