Welcome to the ACT Branch of the Australian Medical Association

Welcome

Welcome to the website of the ACT Branch of the Australian Medical Association. The AMA is the largest independent organisation for all doctors. Its members are registered medical practitioners and medical students.

The AMA ACT represents medical students, junior doctors, salaried hospital doctors, specialists and VMOs, salaried non-clinical doctors and academics through a range of disciplines. The AMA acts as an advocate for the medical profession and for patients.

For a comprehensive guide to the AMA's postion statements and policies go to www.ama.com.au This website is designed to be a resource for AMA ACT members and to assist patients seeking medical specialists. Only members have web access to employment advice and awards, professional and commercial benefits.

AMA Media Releases - for an up to the minute guide and historical account of AMA's media releases

GP Positions Vacant

The ACT Division of General Practice maintains a listing of job vacancies for GPs in Canberra and the surrounding region.

Click here to view the list.

6th National Doctors Health Conference 2009 - details here

Medfin - AMA ACT's preferred financial partner

Visit medfin.com.au/amaact to view a list of products and request a quote

Training

Health Qualifications for Practice Support Staff

Esset Australia and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) ACT are pleased to announce the Health Training Solutions initiative, undertaking a joint provision of nationally recognised Health Support and Health Administration courses.

The program enables health administrative and support staff to gain skills essential for the delivery of high quality healthcare, and offers great benefits to medical practices supporting their employees to undertake the program, including:

recognising and raising the skill level of employees
overcoming real workplace issues and needs
professional development activities aligned to the needs of practice accreditation processes
accreditation of employees at an industry set standard of competency
government incentives for the participation of eligible employees

The program is delivered through a blend of on-the-job coaching visits with each participant within their practice work environment, one day seminars and distance based materials.

Phone AMA ACT on 02 6270 5410 or visit www.healthtraining.com.au for more information, or to fill in an online Expression of Interest.

Membership

Your 2009 subscription has added benefits with the Membership Rewards Partner Program. On presentation of your membership card or your partner's supplementary card, you will receive a 10% discount from local Canberra businesses participating in the program (conditions may apply).

Our Membership Rewards Partners for 2009 are:

Realm Hotel, Barton

Evo Health Club, Barton

Electric Shadows Bookshop, Braddon

Botanics on Jardine Florist, Kingston

Connoisseur Catering, Canberra

Aubergine Restaurant, Griffith

Courgette Restaurant, City

Sabayon Restaurant, City

Waters Edge Restaurant, Parkes

The Essential Ingredient, Kingston

'M' Country, Manuka

2009 Art In, Butt Out design competition

The Tobacco Task Force's competition for Year 8 students has now closed. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on July 20.

Download Poster (featuring the 2008 winning entry)

Amendments to Clerks' Award - effective 1 October 2008

Members should note amendments to the Clerks ACT Award as it affects the majority of clerical staff employed in doctors' rooms. The updated award is accessible on the members only page. Members are reminded that they have a legal requirement to have a copy of the award relevant to staff, freely available and accessible to the staff affected.

Specialist Directory

The 2008 Specialist Directory was distributed FREE to all GPs in the ACT region and other practising AMA members. The directory can be downloaded here. Copies are also available for purchase from the AMA ACT office by phoning 02 6270 5410. Cost: $9.90 per copy.

The 2009 directory will be distributed with the July edition of Canberra Doctor.

Industrial Advice for AMA Members

As part of your membership benefits, AMA ACT now offers the services of Andy Ozolins, Industrial Officer, to meet your industrial needs. He can be contacted from Monday to Wednesday, 9:30am -1:30pm on 6270 5410 or by email: industrial@ama-act.com.au Outside of Mr Ozolins' hours, please contact Christine Brill, Executive Officer, on the same number.

Servicing Employers with up to date information on employment of clerical staff and nurses and your legal requirements as an Employer
Servicing Practitioners employed in the public and private sectors

Appointments available at TCH

AMA ACT industrial officer, Andy Ozolins, is available to meet with members at the Canberra Hospital or at the AMA ACT Office in Barton.

For an appointment with Andy to discuss any of your workplace concerns, please contact Linda McHugh on 6270 5410
or email reception@ama-act.com.au

AMA survey of Hospital Doctor Hours to improve Patient Care

In May, 2006, the AMA conducted a nationwide survey of hospital doctors' working hours to assess the fatigue risks of their current working arrangements. The online survey collected data on the hours of work, on-call hours, non-work hours and sleep time of more than 550 doctors during the audit week. AMA members and non-members were able to participate in the survey.

Download a full copy of the AMA Safe Hours Audit 2006 .

Occupational Safety and Security for Doctors

The AMA has drafted a position statement on Personal Safety and Privacy for Doctors. The AMA recognises that violence against doctors is a growing concern. This Position Statement is provided in an effort to reduce the vulnerability of medical practitioners, including trainees and registrars, those working in rural or remote settings, and those providing after hours care and home visits.

For further information on this Position Statement click here

ALERT - ACT Health Professionals Amendment Regulation

The AMA ACT is aware of the concerns of some salaried non-clinical medical practitioners regarding some of the provisions of the Health Professionals Amendment Regulations and particularly Clause 2.5 "Maintenance and demonstration of continued competence, recency of practice and professional development." Members can access further information on 'members only' page.

Work-life balance: AMA's Management and Doctor's Guidelines to Implementing Flexibility

The AMA's Management and Doctors' Guidelines to Implementing Flexibility have been finalised. Members can access the documents on 'members only' page. Non-members and organisations wanting to access the documents please contact Christine Brill, phone (02) 6270 5410.