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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.

AMA concerns over new role for nurses

The stage is being set for some firey debates between the medical profession and Health Minister Nicola Roxon (pictured left, with AMA Federal President Dr Rosanna Capolingua) after she announced major changes to primary health care by allowing a bigger role for allied health workers.

Under her plan the services of nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists and dieticians would be used to “help relieve some of the workload of busy doctors” and made easier to access through Medicare.

This has immediately raised concerns for doctors who believe that any health reforms must be based on improving the standard of patient care.

Dr Capolingua said the Government needed to spell out how it intended to maintain high-quality care for patients while diverting them from seeing doctors...>>more.

Meanwhile Dr Rod Pearce, the chair of AMA’s Council of General Practice, has been appointed to a reference group set up by the Minister to advise the Government on the primary care strategy. 

If you have a view please send your comments to enewsletter.com.au or medicus@amawa.com.au

New date for AMA(WA) AGM: August 6

AMA members are advised that the Annual General Meeting will now be held at the association’s offices in Nedlands on August 6, starting at 6pm.

It will be an opportunity to meet colleagues, farewell retiring President Prof Geoff Dobb and welcome his successor.

Refreshments will be available after the meeting.

Government urged to change Super Clinic framework

The National Conference of the Austalian Medical Association called on the Federal Government to work with the Association to improve access to GP services for all Australians... >>more.

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said funding cuts to General Practice in the recent Federal Budget were disappointing and undermined the Government’s commitment to stronger primary health care services.

“The AMA believes that the Government’s centrepiece GP Super Clinics policy may only benefit a limited number of Australians and, in fact, do damage to many existing general practices that currently provide patient care.

“The Conference has called on the Government to move beyond its restrictive policy framework and use the GP Super Clinic funding to develop measures to enhance GP services across the country.

“Super Clinic money can be invested in existing practices – effectively improving access to services,” she said.

The results of a State-wide survey of GPs and AMA members are set to be published in the next edition of Medicus.

Federal President secures a second term

AMA Federal President Dr Rosanna Capolingua has been re-elected for a second term in the association’s top job.

Dr Capolingua was unopposed for the position of President, decided at the Federal Conference in Hobart last month.

Hundreds of delegates attended the conference to hear a raft of guest speakers, including Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon.

Dr Capolingua said she was thrilled to be re-elected for a second term and would continue to campaign for improved health services across the nation.

“Reform has to be doctor-driven and patient-centred; not dominated by political ideologies and bureaucratic arrangements,” said Dr Capolingua said.

The AMA(WA) also picked up two awards (Best Website and Best Lobby Campaign) and AMA(WA) chief executive Paul Boyatzis was given a President’s Award after 20 years of service.

Victorian GP Dr Samuel Lees was re-elected AMA Treasurer. Vice President, Dr Gary Speck, and Chairman, Dr Dana Wainwright, were both re-elected to their positions unopposed. 

'Living Wills' legislation welcomed

After a long passage through Parliament, the Consent to Medical Treatment Bill should be passed very soon.

Members had a free vote on the legislation, reflecting the very personal way in which it will touch people’s lives.The AMA(WA) has  consistently lobbied for its passage to provide some clarity for the profession around end-of-life care, with several rounds of letters to MPs and representations to the Upper House Committee.

In this we were strongly supported by our own members involved in palliative care, intensive care and other areas. It will assist doctors in knowing how patients would like their medical decision-making handled, even when they are unable to convey these wishes directly.

A further benefit of bringing WA’s legislation into line with other states is that it allows some additional patients to fulfil their wishes to be an organ donor after death. While the logistics of this are complex, any increase in organ donors will be welcomed by those on the waiting lists.

Dr Will Patterson set to help improve Aboriginal health

AMA(WA)’s Director of  Public Health Policy, Dr Will Patterson, has been seconded by the WA Health Department to help improve health outcomes for Indigenous West Australians.

Dr Patterson will be responsible for developing State-wide screening and chronic disease strategies, implementing the WA Aboriginal Primary Care Action Plan and working with the AMA and Divisions of General Practice to improve access to primary health care for Aboriginal people.

He will also engage with the Department of Education and Training to develop pathways to increase the number of Aboriginal people trained and employed in the system

Dr Patterson said he was looking forward to making a positive contribution to Aboriginal health and working with colleagues who were striving to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people.

AMA helps achieve anaphylaxis program

An excellent report into the services available to address the growing problem of anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions in children looked as though it might disappear into the black hole that consumes so many health reports.

However, after a direct appeal to the Government departments involved and media coverage driven by the AMA(WA), it was announced that the report’s recommendations would be implemented and backed by more than $6 million in funding.

This will involve the Departments of Education and Health and the private education sector; the committee coordinating the program will be chaired by Prof Phil Della of Curtin University.

The AMA(WA) worked closely with the families of children with anaphylaxis to achieve this outcome which will provide Australia’s best service for children with severe allergies.

Places still available for AMA(WA) training sessions

The AMA(WA)’s popular training programs are continuing to run during the winter months. Two scheduled for August include:

- CPR for GP members will run on Saturday, August 2 from 9am to midday at the AMA(WA)’s Nedlands headquarters. To book for the session, please contact Monica Gianfrancesco on 9273 3000.

- Youth Friendly Doctor training sessions are also continuing. The next session, focusing on young people’s sexual health, is scheduled for Tuesday August 5 from 6pm to 9pm. To book or for more information, please contact Clair Isaachsen on 9273 3000.

New CBA deal a plus for AMA(WA) members

AMA(WA) members have the opportunity to save almost $5000 per year in interest repayments off a $500,000 home loan, investment home loan, or viridian line of credit, with a new 0.85 per cent per annum discount from the Commonwealth Bank.

Under the exclusive deal, the AMA(WA) and the Commonwealth Bank can offer members the discount off the standard variable interest rate.

In addition, for a reduced $300 package fee, members can enjoy all the relevant benefits of Wealth Package Plus AMA, including exclusive discounts on merchant fees for business, Eftpos facilities, preferential interest rates and no establishment or loan service fee.

To take advantage of this offer, contact Christine Kane at the AMA(WA) on 9273 3027 or Melinda Walker at the CBA on 9211 1701...>>more