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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.

Carpenter Government should be ashamed over PMH bypass

The State Government's Budget has ignored the future health of WA's children to satisfy the needs of football fans by funding a new sports stadium and other less vital projects rather than rebuild and co-locate Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial Hospitals, the AMA(WA) said.

"The State Budget callously put the health of our future children on bypass by failing to provide for new, state-of-the-art women's and children's hospitals," said association President Prof Geoff Dobb (pictured, with Vice President Prof Gary Geelhoed talking to the media).

"In the next 10 years, WA mothers will give birth to another 300,000 children who will need the support of major hospitals with the best staff and facilities money can buy – available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; many kids will have ongoing illnesses throughout their childhood."

The AMA(WA) has been lobbying hard to get a commitment on the future of PMH and KEMH, which were earmarked to be co-located next to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in the 2004 Reid Report...>>more

WA doctors say 'no' to Super Clinics

In a national first, early results from an AMA(WA) electronic survey have revealed that most GPs and GP registrars in WA who responded to the poll do not support the Federal Government's mooted Super Clinic program.

More than 1000 GPs and GP registrars, including both members and non-members, received the survey via email and responses started rolling in almost immediately.

The vast majority of respondents did not support the Federal Government's plan to build two$10 million Super Clinics in WA, with many citing lack of information, Government intervention and the likelihood of corporate bodies gaining even more control in the GP sector as major concerns.

A second round of surveys will be sent to those who have not yet responded to ensure comprehensive coverage before the results are published and to lobby for changes.

If you are a GP or GP registrar and would like to complete the survey, and have not already done so, please email medelink@amawa.com.au.

Respondents also go into a draw to win six bottles of premium wine.

Next week, the survey will also be distributed to all craft groups for their views.

Hospital doctors urged to assess fatigue risk

With unacceptable long working hours continuing to be a major concern for hospital doctors, the AMA encourages members to use the association’s online assessment tool to obtain an instant assessment of their fatigue risk as a result of their rosters.

Doctors only need to enter their work, on-call, recreational and sleeping hours over a week to anonymously determine whether they are at risk of fatigue and to obtain a print-out of their risk level.

Heavy work schedules without appropriate recovery periods can lead to fatigue, increasing the risk of fatigue-related error and subsequent adverse outcomes for patients. There are also significant negative effects on the doctor’s own health and safety, as well as other staff working with a fatigued doctor.

The assessment tool empowers doctors, particularly young doctors, to negotiate with hospital management for sensible and safe rosters which benefit patients, doctors and hospitals.

The AMA wrote to state and territory health departments in December 2007 advising them of the assessment tool; feedback from those doctors who have used the online service has been positive.

To access the assessment tool click here

AMA targets drugs, obesity

The AMA has come out strongly calling for immediate action over two of Australia’s major health issues – methamphetamine use and obesity.

The association says there should be an urgent overhaul of how the health system deals with methamphetamine users – a growing problem it claims has been put in the too hard basket despite its impact on hospital emergency departments.

At a press conference held outside Royal Perth Hospital’s ED, AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua released the AMA’s Position Statement on Methamphetamine which called for all EDs to have a specialist drugs liaison officer to engage and support methamphetamine and other drug users… >>more.

Dr Capolingua was joined by AMA(WA) President Prof Dobb who had a hand in preparing the position paper…>>more.

The AMA has also released its Position Statement on Obesity, calling for the food industry to take more responsibility in curbing the obesity epidemic which claims 9,500 lives each year as a result of diseases and conditions attributable to excess weight…>>more

The association says there should be higher taxes on junk food and sugary drinks, healthy food subsidies and promotion of nutritious food…>>more

Top-notch projects vie for Healthier WA Award

High-calibre nominations have been received for the inaugural $10,000 Healthier WA Award, to be announced at the AMA(WA) Charity Gala Dinner & Awards Night next month.

The award, which is a joint initiative between the AMA(WA) and Healthway, will present a $10,000 grant to a public health initiative launched by a charity, business or community group.

Selection process for the winner is already underway under the auspices of the Selection Panel Chair, Professor D'Arcy Holman.

Planning for the 2009 award is already underway after the huge success of the first award.

Rural doctor crisis - time for action

The health workforce crisis facing rural Australia has been dramatically reinforced by a Federal Government audit.

AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua said the report revealed a significant shortfall of doctors in rural and regional Australia and that something drastic needed to be done…>>more  

New CBA deal a special for AMA(WA) members

AMA (WA) and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia are pleased to introduce you to Wealth Package Plus, a complete package offering a range of premium banking, broking and investment products.

AMA members are eligible for a discount of up to 0.85% pa off the standard variable rate for new Home Loans and Investment Home Loans, as part of the Wealth Package Plus offering.  In order to apply, you must contact either Chris Kane at the AMA (WA) on 2973 3027 or chris.kane@amawa.com.au or Melinda Walker at CBA Premium Financial Services on 9211 1701 or walkerm@cba.com.au.  This package is not available via the CBA Branch network.

Other benefits AMA members can enjoy with Wealth Package Plus include:

• Preferential interest rates such as 0.15% pa off Fixed Rates Home Loans and Investment Home Loans and up to 0.85% pa off Viridian Line of Credit, to free up your cash or help you repay your loans faster
• A Gold Credit Card or Platinum Credit Card, each with no annual fee and automatic membership to Commonwealth Awards
• No establishment or loan service fees for Home Loans or Investment Home Loans
• No establishment fee or monthly account service fees on Viridian Line of Credit
• 0.50% pa off the standard rate for new Personal Loans of $10,000 or more, and no establishment fee
• Bonus 0.25% pa interest if you take out a new Term Deposit of between $10,000 to less than $100,000 (minimum 6 month term)

Once the Commonwealth Bank has approved your application, for an annual fee of $300 you will receive all the relevant benefits of Wealth Package Plus for AMA members.

Caltex card a star for members

The Caltex Starcard program offers benefits which include:

• A discount off fuel prices
• Unleaded 1.0 cents per litre off the Pump Price
• Diesel 1.0 cents per litre off the Pump Price
• Premium unleaded 1.0 cent per litre off the Pump Price
• No transaction fees
• A monthly record acceptable to the Australian Taxation Office for fuel purchase expenses
• Availability at 2,400 Caltex/Ampol, 7-Eleven and Solo service stations nationally
• Up to 51 days to pay from date of purchase
• Direct debit payment facility to save you postage and bank fees

Standard Starcard fee is $2.50 per card/month.

Access to other Caltex services such as:

• Gold Starcard - for purchasing more than just fuels and oil
• Tyres and batteries etc can also be purchased on a Gold Starcard
• Card fee is $3 per month per vehicle
• 24 hour roadside assistance - for $3.20 a month per vehicle.