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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(WA) tells parties how to 'fix' health

The AMA(WA) says West Australians are sick of waiting for health to be “fixed” and want solutions now that will end hospital overcrowding and allow doctors and nurses to provide the best standard of patient care possible.

“Health is still the biggest issue facing the community because we have a public health system that has been in poor shape for many years,” said association President Prof Gary Geelhoed.

“People in their 60s or 70s, who are desperately waiting for elective surgery, get little comfort hearing about plans that will ease the crisis in seven or eight years time.”

Prof Geelhoed said if the Government and the Opposition were serious about tackling some of the fundamental problems plaguing health they needed to have election policies that included targets identified by the AMA(WA)... >>more

Minister, AMA President in ‘meaningful’ talks

Health Minister Nicola Roxon met with Federal AMA President Dr Rosanna Capolingua (pictured together) to discuss a range of important health issues earlier this month when the Minister visited Dr Capolingua at her practice in Floreat during a visit to Perth.

The Minister was able to discuss primary care in a typical General Practice setting that included Practice Nurses, teaching of Medical students, and proximity to allied health providers

“The discussion was meaningful and encouraging,” said Dr Capolingua.

“The Government needs to work hand in hand with the medical profession in order to develop and deliver the best model to improve outcomes for patients and the general wellbeing of the wider community.”

Opposition must support Labor's smoking bans: AMA(WA)

Widespread smoking bans promised by Health Minister Jim McGinty would catapult WA to the top of the nation's smoke reform ladder, the AMA (WA) believes.

"This would be a great step towards improving the health and wellbeing of all West Australians," said association President Prof Gary Geelhoed.

"It would make our State a role model for every other government in Australia."

Prof Geelhoed said it was now up to the Opposition to match Labor's commitment and to stop kowtowing to the tobacco and liquor industries.

"It would be a tragedy if a change of Government meant these much needed reforms were abandoned,"he said... >>more

Report urges MPs to act on preventable deaths

WA's 91 Members of Parliament have been challenged to make health a priority in the lead up to next week's State election by acting to reduce the number of preventable deaths in their electorates.

For the first time in Australia, each State MP has received a comprehensive report detailing how many of their constituents have died from preventable causes such as smoking, poor diet, alcohol use or physical inactivity.

The report, 'Preventable Deaths by Western Australian Upper and Lower House Electorates', looks at preventable deaths from 2001 to 2005.

Dr Capolingua (pictured with Prof Mike Daube, left, and Prof D'Arcy Holman), who chairs the PHAIWA Board, said the report was a much needed wake up call for the Government and the Opposition.

"For too long prevention has been the Cinderella of our health system and it's up to MPs to take on the challenge and ensure we have action – not just talk," she said.

"The reality is that politicians lose hundreds of their constituents every year, but few realise just how many deaths from heart disease, stroke, various cancers, respiratory disease, alcohol and injuries could have been prevented."

The report recommended a raft of initiatives to reduce the rate of preventable death, including increased funding for public health, an obesity prevention program and legislation to ban smoking in cars carrying children...>>more

To see the full report, click here.

GPs get a big thumbs up from patients

The AMA has welcomed a first-of-its-kind report that shows Australian patients are highly satisfied with the care they receive from their GP.

The research paper, published in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia, found that nearly 70 per cent of the 7,130 patients surveyed were happy with their access to a general practice; and 84 per cent were satisfied with the communication between themselves and their GP.

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said the research demonstrated the commitment from GPs to their patients’ care and GPs’ resolve to provide best practice medicine.

“GPs lead the way to better health and are recognised by patients as the leaders in the primary health care system,” she said.

The research states that: “Greater satisfaction with health care is associated with improved compliance, continuity of care, and clinical outcomes”... >>more

Golfers - we need you to chip in!

The 2008 AMA(WA) Foundation Charity Golf Day tees off on Friday, October 31 at Royal Perth Golf Club – and we need YOUR support.

The event raises funds for the Foundation’s Dr YES (Youth Education Sessions) program which delivers health education sessions to thousands of high school students each year.

To register or to find out more, click here

Boost for Sessional doctor's income not widely known

Under the new AMA Industrial Agreement, Sessional doctors will receive a significant increase in their public sector income by having access to Arrangement A.

However from inquiries received by the AMA(WA) some doctors are not aware of the change.

For more information, see clause 24 of the new agreement here

4WD Training at its best

10 per cent discount off published prices for AMA(WA) members!

Join the Eureka team and have some 4WD fun!

They will teach you how to get the very best from your 4WD, all about recovery equipment, what you need to purchase and how to use it.

Go on, bump your way into spring and get out and about. Phone 9497 5655 to book or visit their website for more details.

Need to get noticed? Make sure you advertise in Medicus

The AMA(WA)'s award-winning membership magazine, Medicus, has a professional notices column which allows practitioners to advertise their services.

The magazine's classifieds section also provides a place for members to advertise - at a discount to the commercial rates - properties or items for sale and lease.

The magazine caters to a specialised demographic and publishes both display and classified-style advertisments of all descriptions.

Click here to see the Medicus rate card.

Click here to see the last edition of Medicus (password required).

For more information, call Peta at the AMA(WA) on 9273 3009, 0414 282 448 or email medicus@amawa.com.au.