Members briefing

Changes to the AMA List take effect on 1 October 2011. As only a small number of changes are being introduced, the AMA List on CD will not be produced.

All members who have to date ordered a CD of the 1 November 2010 AMA List have automatically received a copy of the Summary of Changes of 1 October 2011, mailed out on 16 and 19 September 2011. Members who have not received a copy of the changes or who wish to order the AMA List on CD can contact Ester at Federal AMA on (02) 6270 5447 or by email at emijoc@ama.com.au.

The first stand-alone nurse practitioner clinic opened this week, in Brisbane, near Federal AMA President Steve Hambleton’s medical practice.

He commented in The Australian, "What happens if a rash turns out to be meningitis and you don't recognise it? There are some very clever nurse practitioners, but their training is different. They are not doctors, and when people are sick they really want to see a doctor

The latest communiqué from the Medical Board covers the House of Representatives Inquiry into the registration of IMGs, assessment of specialist IMGs, including pre-employment structured clinical interviews, the registration renewal process, and recent work, including a project to support the audit of practitioner compliance with registration standards.

A new primary prevention trial weighing the potential for aspirin to delay age-related disease against the risk of adverse events in the elderly relies heavily on GP involvement. Called ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) the trial will, for the first time, provide evidence based guidelines on whether all healthy older people should take daily low dose aspirin. So far, over 1100 GPs are registered co-investigators to ASPREE and almost 4,000 elderly Australians are enrolled in the trial.

GPs who would like to be involved or find out more are asked to contact ASPREE on 1800 728 745, email aspreegp@monash.edu or visit www.aspree.org

Please be advised that the draft Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Policy and Clinical Practice Standards (TOPP) has been released today. A copy of the document can be downloaded - click here.

The External Appraisal and Feedback Process is now underway. You can provide feedback in a number of ways including; individual written submissions; completing the on-line survey; or by participating in the regional Feedback sessions. For more information please see the information flyers available on the website at the address above.

The Guidelines for a Palliative Approach for Aged Care in the Community are now available. They have been developed by experts in palliative care and evidence-based medicine and approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Topics in the Guidelines include advance care planning and directives, symptom management, psychosocial care and spiritual support. Sections relating to specific approaches for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and other adults with specific needs or perspectives are also included.

Four documents have been developed as part of the guidelines package including:

- The main guideline document - Guidelines for a Palliative  
   Approach for Aged Care in the Community Setting;
- A reference document which includes evidence to support the
  Guidelines for a Palliative Approach for Aged Care in the
  Community Setting (note – this document is only available
  electronically);
- A supporting booklet for care workers; and
- A supporting booklet for older people receiving care, their
  families and friends.

The two supporting booklets are written in plain English and are additional resources that summarise points from the main guideline document.

The Guidelines for a Palliative Approach for Aged Care in the Community Setting are available for downloading at www.health.gov.au/palliativecare  or by contacting palliativecare@health.gov.au

The Royal Hobart Hospital CEO Jane Holden has reiterated that STAHS is not cutting fixed term employees. All appointments including fixed term are entered onto the PageUp system.

The CEO re-affirmed that STAHS should not put jobs up that will not progress through the DHHS Recruitment Committee. Processes have been tightened to ensure this does not happen.

STAHS fixed term posts are not real figures. There are approximately 900 fixed-term positions, the majority of which are in the casual pools and 409 doctors, 254 nurses and 72 Allied Health staff.  Ms Holden advised fixed term staff are highly valued and flexible, and an important part of the STAHS workforce.