Australian Medical Association (WA)

Rudd’s new blame game not the answer for ailing Health

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 8:00:00

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd could ease the burden on WA's overcrowded public hospitals and slash the waiting list for elective surgery within months if the Federal Government simply agreed to contribute its fair share of funding, says the AMA (WA).

Private beds only a band aid solution to WA’s wait list

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 8:00:00

The AMA (WA) says any initiatives to reduce elective surgery waiting lists are always welcome, but the State Government's plan to have public patients treated in private hospitals is ill conceived and suggests it has failed to plan and properly resource the public hospital system.

Major health reform must be given a chance to deliver

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the public hospitals policy unveiled by the Prime Minister is major reform that must be taken seriously and given due consideration by the States and the health sector because we need a system that will give better access to quality health services for the Australian population into the future.

Local groups vie for Healthier WA Award

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 8:00:00

Community groups, schools, councils, sporting groups and businesses striving to make a real difference to the healthy living of West Australians, can secure a $10,000 grant by entering the 2010 Healthier WA Award.

Medical Board responds to AMA call for recognition of vocationally registered GPs as 'Specialist GPs'

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The AMA welcomes the decision by the Medical Board of Australia to include vocationally registered GPs on the Specialist Register of the new national registration scheme that takes effect from 1 July 2010.

New Med e-link newsletter sent to members

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The latest edition of our online newsletter Med e-link has been sent to members

Medicus February 2010 now online

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The February issue of Medicus is now available online

General Practice Pharmacies - A positive health reform for patients

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The AMA is calling on the Federal Government to legislate to allow doctors to own and operate pharmacies.

AMA urges Medical Board to recognise thousands of vocationally registered GPs as 'Specialist GPs'

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The AMA is urging the recently established Medical Board of Australia to ensure that the new national registration arrangements for doctors do not discriminate against 11,000 vocationally registered general practitioners.

Premier praised for ending the Health funding fiasco

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The AMA (WA) has praised Premier Colin Barnett and his deputy Kim Hames for their leadership in resolving the funding fiasco that has plagued the State's public health system for more than a year.

AMA welcomes Government action on medical training

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA welcomes the Government's decision to accept the major recommendations arising from the Review of the Medical Training Review Panel (MTRP).

Public hospital management boards are part of the solution

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the Coalition's policy announcement for local community-controlled management boards for major public hospitals in NSW and Queensland is a step in the right direction, but more detail on how the policy would roll out nationally is needed.

New community bus service to help Indigenous families

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 8:00:00

Indigenous families in the Kwinana-Rockingham region will have better access to health, employment and education programs thanks to a unique community bus service launched today.

Four-hour rule has support, but needs more resources

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The four-hour rule will only ease the burden on WA's overcrowded emergency departments when the State Government funds the necessary staff and resources to make it work correctly, the AMA (WA) said today.

Comprehensive national plan needed to close the gap on Indigenous health

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA welcomes the Government announcement of $9.1 million for new Indigenous mothers and baby services as the latest instalment in its commitment to close the gap on Indigenous health inequality by 2030.

New Med e-link newsletter sent to members

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 8:00:00

The latest edition of our online newsletter Med e-link has been sent to members

Budget squeeze harming patient care: AMA survey

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 8:00:00

Lack of appropriate funding is affecting the quality of patient care in WA's public hospitals, according to a major survey undertaken by the AMA (WA).

Aged care planning and investment needed to meet growing demand

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that urgent planning and investment is needed to meet the health and care needs of an ageing and growing Australian population.

'Minor ailments' not always minor

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 8:00:00

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that calls by the self-medication industry for pharmacists to treat so-called 'minor ailments' such as coughs, colds, sore throats and back pain instead of doctors could put people with these ailments at risk of more serious health problems.

Government study endorses AMA calls for greater investment in medical workforce training

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 8:00:00

The Australian Medical Education Study report – What makes for success in medical education? – endorses calls by the AMA for greater investment in medical education and training to produce a medical workforce capable of meeting the future health needs of a growing and ageing population.

Cataract Rebate Agreement confirms importance of clinical input to health decision-making

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today congratulated the Government and the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists on a mutually satisfactory outcome from their negotiations over changes to the Medicare rebate for cataract surgery.

AMA welcomes new body to combat rheumatic heart disease

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 8:00:00

AMA Vice President and Chair of the AMA Taskforce on Indigenous Health, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that RHDAustralia is an important first step towards eradicating rheumatic heart disease among Indigenous people.

Ask piercing questions about body piercing

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 8:00:00

The AMA today urged Australians considering undergoing body piercing to ensure that they are aware of the health risks associated with the procedure and what they can do to reduce the chances of something going wrong.

New Med e-link newsletter sent to members

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 8:00:00

The latest edition of our online newsletter Med e-link has been sent to members

Budget must provide 'stimulus package' for Health - AMA Federal Budget Submission 2010-11

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the May Federal Budget must provide a significant 'stimulus package' for the Australian health system.

AMA urges greater support for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 8:00:00

The AMA has written to Health Minister Nicola Roxon urging greater support for international medical graduates (IMGs) working in Australia, highlighting the problems they face in accessing basic community services such as Medicare and public education.

New doctors a boost for over-stretched hospitals

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 8:00:00

AMA (WA) President Prof Gary Geelhoed said today the addition of 233 new doctors to the public hospital system would provide a much-needed boost to the State's medical workforce.

Industrial Update Issue 1, 2010 now online

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 8:00:00

Salary Packaging Meals and Entertainment Allegations of Fraud/Misconduct

New Health chief must not be bullied by Treasurer

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 8:00:00

The AMA (WA) welcomes the appointment of Kim Snowball (pictured) as Acting Director General of WA Health, but says he should not be subjected to the same level of interference that forced Dr Peter Flett to resign.

Good planning a key to New Year's promise to quit smoking

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today said good planning was a key to fulfilling New Year's resolutions to quit smoking.

'Tis the season for sun safety

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 8:00:00

It's the season to be jolly, but the AMA is reminding people that it is also the season to be sun smart to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Talk to your family about organ donation this Christmas

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today urged Australians to discuss organ and tissue donation with their families over the Christmas break.

Pedestrians with 'wobbly boots' often end up in the Emergency Department

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 8:00:00

As Australians commence a season of parties and family get-togethers over the Christmas-New Year period, the AMA is highlighting the need for extra care with alcohol consumption and travel – not just for drivers, but also for pedestrians.

Medicus December 2009 now online

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 8:00:00

The December issue of Medicus is now available online

New Med e-link newsletter sent to members

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 8:00:00

The latest edition of our online newsletter Med e-link has been sent to members

VMP Update Issue 1, 2009 now online

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 8:00:00

First issue of our new publication VMP Update

AMA welcomes public hospital policy debate

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the AMA welcomes reports that the Coalition will make health funding, including public hospital funding and governance, a key policy battleground at the next Federal election.

Ongoing support needed for medical practices to process electronic Medicare claims

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 8:00:00

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the increase in electronic Medicare rebate claiming announced by the Government is a good case to introduce ongoing financial support to assist medical practices cover the administrative costs associated with electronic claiming.

General Practice still popular with WA medical students

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 8:00:00

Becoming a rural General Practitioner is seen as an intellectually stimulating, challenging, and diverse career choice, according to the latest survey of WA medical students and Interns.

Premier must resolve Health funding fiasco

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 8:00:00

It's time Premier Colin Barnett showed leadership by resolving the funding crisis affecting the standard of patient care in WA and restricting the dangerous and inappropriate interference in health management by Treasurer Troy Buswell, the AMA (WA) said today.