GP Network News, Issue 12 Number 42
In this issue: Government Welcomes AMA Position Statements on GPs in Emergencies and Natural Disasters; Junior Doctors And Medical Students Call For Urgent Solution To Medical Training Crisis; Accessing the AMA List of Medical Services and Fees - 1 November 2012;Email the AMA; Post new comment to the website;
Government Welcomes AMA Position Statements on GPs in Emergencies and Natural Disasters The AMA recently received correspondence from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley, extending congratulations on the AMA’s development of two new Position Statements outlining the role of GPs in emergencies and natural disasters and how best to support GPs in these situations. The AMA Position Statement on Involvement of GPs in Disaster and Emergency Planning 2012 was developed to help policy makers at all levels of government and medical practitioners across Australia be more aware of the issues involved in natural disaster planning and emergency management, and the role of GPs in these situations. The AMA Position Statement on Supporting GPs in the Immediate Aftermath of a Natural Disaster 2012 is aimed at helping those involved in planning the immediate recovery from a natural disaster or emergency to include focussing on the needs of general practices in the immediate aftermath of such events. Professor Baggoley stated that he asked the National Health Emergency Management Standing Committee (NHEMS), which is responsible for developing national health disaster plans, to consider the two Position Statements at its meeting on 4 October 2012, and how to better involve GPs not only in the development of State and Territory health emergency planning and responses, but also at the national level. The membership of the NHEMS encompasses Australian, State and Territory health emergency managers and subject matter experts who are involved in developing the health aspects of disaster plans in their jurisdictions. At the Australian Government level, Professor Baggoley undertook to ensure that GPs are involved in the development of plans for disaster situations through the Clinical Stakeholder Forum, which is held annually. Junior Doctors and Medical Students Call for Urgent Solution to Medical Training Crisis Junior doctors and medical students this week called on all Australian governments to put politics aside and work cooperatively to address the projected shortfall of 180 intern positions for 2013, to ensure that all locally-trained medical students have the opportunity to graduate and use their skills to provide much-needed medical services in local communities across the country. AMA Council of Doctors in Training (AMACDT) Chair, Dr Will Milford, noted and supported the Commonwealth Government’s offer to fund, on a one-off basis for 2013, 100 of the forecast 180 intern places needed next year, provided the States and Territories fund the remaining 80 places. He also noted, however, that it is frustrating and disappointing that this offer remains unresolved. Dr Milford said that the broader medical training crisis is not just about intern training and governments needed to agree on a long-term strategy that will deliver sufficient accredited prevocational and vocational training places for all future graduates of Australian medical schools. View the full press release here Accessing the AMA List of Medical Services and Fees - 1 November 2012 The AMA List of Medical Services and Fees (AMA List), effective 1 November 2012, provides guidance to AMA members in setting their fees, based on their practice costs. It has been produced and distributed to all members listed as being in private practice or with rights of private practice, and to salaried members who have ordered a copy. To access the List from the AMA website simply enter your username and password in the box on the right hand side of the home page and follow these steps:
A Fees Indexation Calculator (option 13) is also available for members to calculate their own fee increase based on their individual cost profile. The AMA Fees List Online Database (option 12), where members can view, print or download individual items or groups of items to suit their needs, will be updated as at 1 November 2012. AMA members, can also access the AMA List of Medical Services and Fees and other relevant tools via the GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit. We welcome your comments and suggestions as well. Please tell us what you think.OnePath Life's Professionals Life Cover PlusOnePath Life has developed an exclusive offer for professionals to help protect your family whatever the future may hold. You’ve worked hard to build a future for your family but have you considered what would happen should the worst occur? To find out more, visit http://www.onepath.com.au/ama or call 1800 658 679. |
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