November/ December 2013 Canberra Doctor is proudly brought to you by the AMA (ACT) Limited Circulation: 1,900 in ACT & region The AMA ACT President, Dr Andrew Miller, Board, Staff and the Canberra Doctor committee extend Seasons Greetings to all and best wishes for 2014 November/December 2013 Volume 25, No. 10 TERRITORY TOPICALS – from President, Dr Andrew Miller So 2013 is drawing to a tory has demonstrated that we have new MOU has been agreed that Opposition in bipartisan support of been stiffed. I can think of no other respects our independence and value the National Skin Cancer Action close, and as always in way to describe the outcome. Initially in the federal AMA family. We are Week at an AMA initiative with the those brief moments the indexation decision appeared as a now working to rebuild a cooperative Cancer Council, the ACT Pollie Skin significant improvement on the gov- relationship with ASMOF; something Check; championing the public snatched between pre- ernment’s offering; but we have now that we all agree is in the best interests health message of sun protection Christmas specials the seen the whole of government enter- of both our members and the profes- and skin cancer awareness. mind drifts back over the prise bargaining outcome. I suspect sion in the ACT in general. So what does 2014 offer? I can that we will not be so meek next time. I can also report that as the year see some battle lines already being year with its early The salaried medical officer draws to a close our business affairs drawn over the border, but with the promise and the looming negotiations are ongoing, and we are show a healthy trend, and that we possibility of collateral damage here participating actively here, diligently have been able to continue to offer in the ACT. At a recent AMA Federal Dr Andrew Miller final reality. representing the interests of all our benefits to our local members Council meeting the AMA con- salaried members no matter their including agreements made recently demned the actions of the Newman The calendar was of course dom- campaign. It was the AMA which first inated by the federal election, with a status or seniority. We are not pre- with both BMW and Lexus. Infor m- government in Queensland. There is pared to trade the conditions of one ation regarding these member bene- an unparalleled attack on doctors’ raised the significance of the Gillard community polarised by a deeply government’s budget proposal. It was unpopular government and an alter- group against another to get an out- fits can be obtained from our mem- terms and conditions being launched come but continue to work for an bership officer, Sue Massey. We are there and clearly the possibility of a the AMA which began the public native offering that troubled many. campaign. It was the AMA which first But swirling behind and around this equitable result for all. working towards some more ann- precedent being set should galvanise Of course, the position of our ouncements in 2014. us all. The matter is before the in­­ stitched together a diverse and at obvious reef were the many issues times fractious coalition of organisa- that kept the AMA paddling away. junior medical officers remains a We have succeeded in negotiat- dust­­­­rial court at the moment and tions and industry groups to fight the The VMO contract negotiations focus of AMA attention. In recent ing funding from AHPRA for train- you can be assured that the AMA is proposal, and the AMA which kept were concluded mid-year. Before the years we have seen such a dramatic ing for volunteers in the ACT Doctors actively involved, and that locally we them on task. We should all acknowl- arbitration phase began there was a change in medical education that the Health Advisory Service, and contin- are closely monitoring the outcome. edge that the ultimate decision by the bargaining period that saw the AMA traditional model of internship and ue to provide our active support to You may also be aware of their Abbott government to scrap the cap successfully argue for many modifica- residency before vocational training that uniquely valuable local asset. health ombudsman legislation that represents a victory for common tions to the initially proposed con- has become untenable. The AMA The AMA-ACT has also been poses a very real threat to us as pro- sense, but every one of us should tract, particularly where the condi- has been working with the govern- involved in individual cases of sup- fessionals. The AMA-ACT has previ- remember that it was the AMA that tions and rights of the VMOs were ment and ACT Health to ensure that port for members in difficulty. This of ously expressed its concern about got the job done as we attend confer- challenged in the draft document. Of adequate intern places have been course is the strength of a local mem- complaint resolution processes in the ences and courses, pay for college course these matters were concluded made available, and that the PGY1/2 bership organisation; and it is a role territory, and I have to report from training fees and exams, purchase quietly and cooperatively, so they and 2/3 transitions are smooth and that we gladly embrace. We always our conversations with government texts and subscribe to journals. never reached the public eye. These fair; and that quality training as well remain available for members with that some of these are shared, but for That is why you pay your subs, small victories demonstrate our as service remains a focus of problems, and with our relationship different reasons. We will be dealing so that we can continue to champion understanding that, professional employment. We will continue to with the DHAS, can offer support in closely with the government and the the interests of the profession; and responsibilities aside, we have rights press for results here, and to work to a wide range of personal, employ- opposition to ensure that the effective and just health policy. that should be defended, and that the ensure that Canberra remains a high- ment and professional matters. Queensland model stays just that and May I wish every one of you a issues extend beyond money in the ly regarded training centre for junior 2013 has also seen some historic doesn’t become a national one. happy and safe Christmas; and a ful- bank. When the arbitration process doctors and vocational trainees. milestones, including anniversaries Of course the biggest victory of filling 2014. Please all take advantage began we were able, unlike other par- I am happy to report that the for both Canberra Doctor and our 2013 that the AMA can justly claim, a of the break to enjoy and value your ties, to argue successfully for every relationship between the AMA–ACT long-serving CEO, Christine Brill. victory whose benefits flow widely, friends and family, and return in the one of our claims, except the indexa- and the federal AMA has been rebuilt We also brought together the well beyond the health care sector, is new year refreshed, invigorated and tion claim. Here, unfortunately, his- following a difficult period, and that a Chief Minister and the leader of the the success of the “Scrap the Cap” enthusiastic. 2 November/December 2013 GUEST EDITORIAL Reflections from the AMA Secretary General – Ms Anne Trimmer Four months into my of a few major projects of the previ- promotion. Amongst the work fore- nal governance review for many ous government. These include a shadowed for 2014 is the publication years. Federal Council of the AMA appointment as Secretary review of the Personally Controlled of an annual alert on key priorities in has agreed to put to members at its General of the Australian Electronic Health Record (PCEHR). youth health. Annual General Meeting in May a Medical Association I While the AMA supports the con- Many of the day to day health revised constitution which separates cept of a PCEHR, the proposed system issues which impact doctors the governance of the organisation have now had the record had several deficiencies, most are high on the work program for from its policy development. It is opportunity to scan across notably the lack of doctor support. the AMA including a review of proposed that a smaller board be The review needs to put forward a MSAC and its processes, streamlin- established to oversight financial and the many areas of activity way to improve clinical utility of the ing the PBS authority approval sys- corporate requirements with Federal in which the AMA is health record. tem, MBS fees indexation, and the Council to retain its core role as the involved. A review of Medicare Locals is activities of the PSR. body which develops and approves also underway - again a review which Provision for the training of AMA policy. These reforms will I started in my role on the first was sought by the AMA. While our future doctor workforce con- modernise the AMA, creating a day of the Federal election - great some Medicare Locals perform well tinues to be a priority area. The more agile body to deal with the timing as the AMA had previously in meeting the needs of their com- AMA was pleased to see that at its wide range of issues which are cur- published its election manifesto munities for better integrated prima- impact on doctors, particularly most recent meeting the Standing rently considered by Federal Council. which outlined the priorities which ry care, others have been less suc- those still undertaking training and Committee on Health signed off The AMA is a key contributor we sought to have implemented by cessful.