GP Network News, Issue 11, Number 23 - 17 June 2011

AMA Council of General Practice (AMACGP) meeting

The next meeting of the AMACGP is scheduled for 25 and 26 June. Key issues on the agenda include: Medicare Locals, Mental Health, After Hours and Red Tape.

Medical profession features in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton paid tribute to AMA members who received appointments in the 2011 Queens’ Birthday Honours List. Among them, former AMA President (2001-2003), and the first female elected to the role, Professor Kerryn Phelps, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). A deserving recipient, Kerryn raised the issue of unaffordable medical indemnity for doctors to a major political crisis that made the major political parties sit up and take notice, and she maintained the AMA as a key commentator in areas such as climate change and health, Indigenous health and community public health, Dr Hambleton said.

Other AMA members honoured include AMA Federal Councillor, Associate Professor James MacDougall ‘Mac’ Wyllie, a NSW surgeon, who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and Victorian GP and medical administrator, Dr Joanna Flynn who was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Dr Flynn is currently Chair of the national Medical Board of Australia.

A full list of those AMA members recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours will be published on the AMA website shortly. The full AMA press release is here.

AMA welcomes increase in organ donations

The AMA is delighted by the increased rate of organ and tissue donations in Australia. Figures released by the Government earlier this week show a 19 per cent increase in organ donation and transplantations in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period last year. Getting the organ donation message out to the public is all-important so people know they have the choice and how to do it AMA Vice President, Professor Dobb said. When an individual has registered their consent or their objection (through the Australian Organ Donor Register), their family members will still be asked to provide the final consent. Potential donors should talk to their GP about becoming a donor and most importantly their family to make sure they are aware of their decision to become a donor. The full AMA press release is here.

Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 - Guide and Transitional Wage Calculator

Do you know the correct terms and conditions for your practice staff?

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 is the modern award which covers employees working in private industry in the health sector. Key groups covered by the Award include medical and dental practices and many allied health professionals.

The Award does not cover medical practitioners and nurses; there are separate modern awards that cover them.

Under the Shared Industry Assistance Project the AMA received a grant from the Fair Work Ombudsman to develop educational materials relating to the Health Professional and Support Services Award 2010.

As part of the project the AMA has produced a Guide to the Award and also a Transitional Wage Calculator showing wages required to be paid as part of the transition from old to modern awards.

This material is available free to all employers and employees on the AMA website here.

AMA supplementary submission on the Impact of emergency department targets on junior doctors

The AMA has made an additional submission to the department of Health and Ageing to raise concerns identified by AMA member junior doctors. This supplementary submission:

• emphasises the need to ensure that time-based targets do not impact on the ability of public hospitals to provide quality clinical education and training;
• calls for ongoing resources to support the ability of emergency departments, the hospital and community providers to fulfil education and training obligations; and
• recommends that the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of targets also includes the impact on education, training and junior doctor experiences.

This submission supplements the submission lodged by the AMA on 25 May 2011.

Link to both submissions is here.

RENT 3 DAYS FOR THE PRICE OF 2*

AMA members have the opportunity to rent for 3 days, pay for 2 on weekends with Hertz*.  

Call Hertz on 13 30 39 or visit hertz.com.au and quote CDP# 283826 and promotional code 157301.  

* Available at participating domestic Hertz locations, on selected vehicle groups until 31 July 2011, for rentals between 3 and 5 days in length. Free day is deducted from time and kilometre charges. Hertz standard terms, conditions and rental qualifications apply. Offer subject to location operating hours.