GP Network News, Issue 11, Number 4 - 4 February 2011
AMA Council of General Practice Executive Policy Day; AMA Council of General Practice meeting; Health Practitioner Registration; International Medical Graduates; World Cancer Day – Cervical Screening; Celebrate the benefits of AMA Membership; Find the best I.T. deal and then beat it by up to 20% with PowerBuy
AMA Council of General Practice Executive Policy Day The AMA Council of General Practice Executive is holding a policy day today. The main issue for the day is Medicare Locals with discussion focusing on governance, functionality and accountability. The anticipated outcome will be the development of an AMA position statement for consideration by Federal Council. Megan Morris, First Assistant Secretary, Primary and Ambulatory Care Division, Department of Health and Ageing will give a presentation. A presentation will also be given by Dr Emil Djakic, Chair, AGPN. AMA Council of General Practice meeting The AMA Council of General Practice will have its first meeting for the year this weekend.Key items on the agenda include:
Health Practitioner Registrations Media reports this week have highlighted the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) struggle to manage the successful transfer of health practitioner registration from state-based boards to the national scheme to meet the 31 January deadline. We note the Minister’s reported concern (The Age, 3/2/11) about the rising number of complaints against APHRA and her request to the Department of Health and Ageing for urgent advice and options for remedy. The Minister has indicated her intention to discuss the issues at the next COAG meeting scheduled for 14 February. Advice from APHRA is that for those practitioners whose renewal is now overdue you can still renew for 1 month from the expiry date. To check that your application has been received go to the APHRA website here. If your renewal is more than 1 month overdue you may be eligible to lodge a fast-track application available from the APHRA website here. International Medical Graduates This week the AMA lodged a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing Inquiry into registration processes and support for International Medical Graduates (IMG). The submission calls for removal of the 10 year IMG moratorium and greater support for IMGs trying to achieve specialist registration through improved access to GP training programs. A copy of the submission is here. World Cancer Day – Cervical Screening Today is World Cancer Day and AMA President, Dr Pesce, has said that there is an emerging risk of women becoming complacent about cervical cancer screening, particularly those who have been vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). A study published in last month’s Women’s Health Issues showed that many young women believe that they do not need to continue having pap smears if they have the HPV vaccine. Even though vaccination protects women against the type of HPV that causes about 70% of all cervical cancers, it is vital for women who have been vaccinated to continue regular cervical screening. The AMA is urging all Australians to focus on ways they can reduce their risk of all forms of cancer and encourages people to see their GP regularly for preventative health check-ups and advice. A full copy of the press release is here.
The AMA would welcome your feedback on your experiences with this new service. Email as at gpnn@ama.com.au. We welcome your comments and suggestions as well. Please tell us what you think. Celebrate the benefits of AMA Membership TIME IS RUNNING OUT!! RENEW your AMA Membership before 28th February 2011 on your AMA American Express® Card to be in the draw to win up to $7,500 Credit on your Card*. For more information and full terms and conditions click here.
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