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AMA(SA)'s RAH watch PDF

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MAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) INC. AMA(SA)’s RAH watch AMA – join together or be pulled apart • Rural medical workforce: a looming crisis Stewardship and health financing • Health services in community pharmacies Volume 29 Number 6 AMA(SA) moves house • Elder abuse • SA gambling move • Life as an intern December 2016 Making a difference. It’s a shared duty. 22 clinics The responsibility to play an active We are – and have always been – role in the management of a patient’s 100% locally owned and operated 40 radiologists health outcomes is a commitment we by our radiologists. More than 450 staff take seriously. And for us, this is critically important. But most importantly, we know it’s a It means that we understand the local duty we share with our fellow medical medical community and the needs of professionals, our referrers. the patients who come to us. This focus, in part, comes from our For more information, visit ownership and our origins. bensonradiology.com.au Experience Precision Care Contents 8 3 President’s column Cover 4 News & views The AMA(SA)’s 5 Editor’s letter ‘RAH watch’ 7 Gambling 10 Mental health plan The opening date of the new RAH Have your say remains uncertain, but the AMA(SA) continues to pursue questions and 12 WCH move? concerns raised by members on Confusing messages clinical research space, outpatient 13 Euthanasia services and more. AMA Position Statement updated 18 15 AMA(SA) moves 19 Rural health Rural health Looming crisis Rural medical 21 Council news planning crisis 23 AMA(SA) dispatches 25 Members lunch The AMA(SA) has long been concerned 26 High Tea about the sustainability of regional 32 Stewardship health services in SA. It is time for the Health financing government to lift its game in the rural 35 Elder abuse health arena, medicSA reports. 40 Motoring 43 Vale 29 Dr Frosty Hoare Membership 45 Indigenous health APY Exchange Is it time to join 49 Life as in intern the AMA? 51 Public health What do you do when you feel that the Refugee screening world in which you work has become disconnected from your own part 54 Student news in it? This is how many SA doctors 59 In practice report feeling every day. The AMA(SA) 63 Practice notes can help … Australian Medical Association medicSA Disclaimer Neither the Australian Medical Association (South (South Australia) Inc. Editorial Australia) Inc nor any of its servants and agents will 80 Brougham Place, North Adelaide SA 5006 Editor: Dr Philip Harding have any liability in any way arising from information PO Box 134 North Adelaide SA 5006 Managing Editor: Heather Millar or advice that is contained in medicSA. The Telephone: (08) 8361 0100 Director of Communications: Eva O’Driscoll statements or opinions that are expressed in the magazine reflect the views of the authors and do Facsimile: (08) 8267 5349 Cover image not represent the official policy of the Australian Email: [email protected] Eva O’Driscoll Medical Association (South Australia) unless this Website: www.amasa.org.au is so stated. Although all accepted advertising Advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, Newland House Meeting Rooms Heather Millar 0409 196 401 such acceptance does not imply endorsement by Telephone: (08) 8361 0102 the magazine. Production Executive Contacts Typeset and printed for the AMA(SA) by All matter in the magazine is covered by copyright, President Douglas Press Pty Ltd. ISSN 1447-9265 and must not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by electronic or Dr Janice Fletcher: [email protected] Unsolicited material: mechanical means, photocopying, or recording, After hours: (08) 8361 0100 Unsolicited editorial material should be sent to the without written permission. Chief Executive Officer AMA(SA) c/- the Managing Editor no later than six Images are reproduced with permission under limited Joe Hooper: (08) 8361 0109 weeks prior to the target month of distribution. license. medicSA DECEMBER 2016 1 heading y y The AMA(SA) t t i r i r a a h h C C r r e n e n n n i D i D a a l a l a G G Hilton Adelaide Saturday 13th May 2017 7pm - midnight AMA Members & Non-Members Welcome Book now and gather friends and colleagues for a great night of entertainment Dress: Black Tie To book, contact Melanie on 8361 0108 or email: [email protected] Tickets $170 Sponsorship enquiries are welcome. Call Melanie on 8361 0108 email [email protected] Sponsored by: www.amasa.org.au Phone: 8361 0101 2 medicSA DECEMBER 2016 Janice Fletcher President’s Report y y t t i r i r a a h h C C r r e A view to the future in trying times n e n n n i D i D WE often say that we want representative group. The AMA is not about the defunding of the current aa governments – state and federal funded by government. That means we Statewide Gambling Therapy Service. l a l – to pay attention to health. can be fearless when needed. We are not The AMA(SA) has spoken out strongly, a G After all, it is the number one priority selling you anything. That means we have advocating for a move to mental health, G for most Australians, and is a primary no hidden agenda. And we are beholden and out of the DCSI portfolio. requirement for success – whether you only to our members and the community. We are calling on both state and measure that as workforce participation, So, if you are a doctor, unless you think federal governments to develop, fund innovation, economic advancement, or the health system is doing completely fine; and commit to a health framework for indices of content. unless you are certain you will never need Australians, not just focussing on the Lately, though, it sometimes feels like it someone in your corner, fighting for you, acute end, and management of chronic has all been the wrong kind of attention or your colleagues, or your patients; you diseases – an approach best defined as – whether that has been poor patient should be a member. ‘Too little, too late’. Fundamental to this co-payment models, scrapping of national are programs to improve the health and funding agreements, or attempts to nutritional literacy of our communities. So, if you are a doctor, reform the system whilst moving to a new There is a critical need for government major hospital, grappling with an e-health unless you think to focus on a workforce framework – revolution, and cutting costs. the health system particularly in rural and regional areas. Whatever the issue, the AMA is there, I was saddened to attend the recent is doing completely listening to the concerns of members and funeral of the late Dr Peter Chapman, presenting a voice for the profession. We fine; unless you are chief medical advisor for Country Health look to our members for what fires to fight certain you will never SA. The State Government and Country and where – as well as what flames of Health must build on his legacy to develop need someone in your innovation and success to fan. a sustainable rural health workforce for corner, fighting for you, South Australia. One of my predecessors was fond of saying that if you are not prepared to or your colleagues, The AMA(SA) has its eye on the future be part of the solution, you don’t get and, with that in mind, has expanded its or your patients; you to complain. On that basis, he didn’t operations to include a new entity – AMA should be a member. complain a lot, but when he did so it Skills Training – which will help to build was to the Minister directly, in meetings the support workforce that is needed to with Department and Country Health keep our health and community services executives, and in the fora of public I sometimes hear that the AMA did (or strong into the future. I was delighted to debate. Importantly, it was also not just didn’t do) something 5, 10 or 15 years present certificates at the graduation of raising problems but proposing solutions, ago with which you disagreed. I guarantee our very first group of graduates just a few and being prepared to engage on big that if you looked at the sum total of our days ago, and I look forward to hearing ideas. That is how we work at the AMA. activity over those years, you would agree about their accomplishments. with the overwhelming majority of it. But Members get a seat at those tables. The The same goes for the new medical opting out of membership is a mistake. caveat that comes with this is that we graduates who will be working in our Every doctor who is not a member need your involvement. We need you (or hospitals next year. Speaking with them means that there is less that we can do at least some of you) to sit on our Council highlights the importance of continuing for the whole profession, as well as the and state and federal committees, and to the important role of the profession in individuals in it. And there is a lot still to provide feedback and an ‘early warning maintaining the health of the community. do. In fact, the list is growing. system’ on issues at the front line. We That is a core goal of the AMA, also need your membership subscriptions: Our advocacy ranges from matters big to because we can accomplish so much these are the price of an independent small. Recently, we have raised concern more together. medicSA DECEMBER 2016 3 AMheadAing(SA) Council A win for our rural doctors Office Bearers THE AMA(SA) is pleased to The AMA(SA) has been advocating to President: Dr Janice Fletcher announce that, following our the health minister about the importance Vice President: Dr William Tam negotiations with Country Health SA of CHSA taking on an increased (CHSA) over the last Rural GP Agreement, responsibility for supporting rural training Immediate Past President CHSA has confirmed that four of the five and research to attract more doctors into Dr Patricia Montanaro FTE procedural GP training positions have our rural health system and to deliver a Ordinary Members been filled for commencement in 2017. more reliable and better resourced rural medical workforce. This has resulted in Dr Chris Moy, Dr Tarun Bastiampillai, These positions will be one FTE registrar Dr Matthew McConnell, Dr Clair Pridmore, in emergency at the Royal Adelaide the collaboration of AMA(SA), CHSA and Dr Paul Worley, Dr John Woodall Hospital (RAH) and one at Lyell McEwin GPEx working together and achieving the Hospital, and one FTE in anaesthetics above result. Specialty Groups at the RAH and one at Flinders Medical We acknowledge the efforts of Dr Peter Anaesthetists: Dr Perry Fabian Centre. These four positions will be Clements from GPEx in ensuring these Dermatologists: Dr Jeffrey Wayte rotated into rural sites during the positions meet the necessary standards General Practitioners: Dr Penelope Need coming year. and ensuring those in the positions Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: This is an important win for our rural will receive the best training and Dr Jane Zhang doctors and is a shift in the right direction. experience possible. Orthopaedic Surgeons: Dr Jeganath Krishnan Paediatricians: Dr Patrick Quinn AMA releases plan to Physicians: Dr Nimit Singhal Psychiatrists: Dr Michelle Atchison Radiologists: Dr Nicholas Rice eradicate Rheumatic Heart Surgeons: Dr David Walsh Doctors in Training Representative Disease by 2031 Dr Karthik Venkataraman Regional Representatives THE AMA has called on all Northern: Dr Nigel Stewart, Dr John Williams Australian governments and other stakeholders to work Salaried Medical Officers’ together to eradicate Rheumatic Heart Representative Disease (RHD) – an entirely preventable Dr Andrew Russell but devastating disease that kills and Student Representatives disables hundreds of Indigenous University of Adelaide: Mr Brian Gue Australians every year – by 2031. Flinders University: Ms Anna Elias AMA president, Dr Michael Gannon, “RHD once thrived in inner-city slums, AMA(SA) Executive Board said that RHD, which starts out with but had been consigned to history for Dr Trevor Mudge (Chair), Dr Margaret seemingly innocuous symptoms such most Australians,” Dr Gannon said. as a sore throat or a skin infection, Cowling, Dr Janice Fletcher, Mr John “RHD is a disease of poverty, and it is but leads to heart damage, stroke, McLaren, Dr Chris Moy, Dr Peter Sharley, preventable, yet it is still devastating lives disability, and premature death, could Dr William Tam and killing many people here in Australia be eradicated in Australia within 15 – one of the world’s wealthiest countries. AMA(SA) Office: Key Contact years if all governments adopted the Chief Executive: Mr Joe Hooper recommendations of the latest AMA “In fact, Australia has one of the highest rates of RHD in the world, Indigenous Health Report Card. Federal Councillors almost exclusively localised to Dr Janice Fletcher (State Nominee) The 2016 Report Card – A call to action Indigenous communities. Dr Chris Moy (Area Nominee SA/NT) to prevent new cases of Rheumatic “Indigenous Australians are 20 times Dr Susan Neuhaus (Craft Group Heart Disease in Indigenous Australia more likely to die from RHD than their Nominee: Surgeons) by 2031 – was launched in November non-Indigenous peers – and, in some in Darwin. areas, such as in the Northern Territory, The AMA(SA) office is located at er 80 Brougham Place, North Adelaide. Dr Gannon said the lack of effective this rate rises to 55 times higher.” sing ei You can contact us by telephone on action on RHD to date was a national The AMA Indigenous Health Report cr k/ (08) 8361 0100, by fax to (08) 8267 5349 failure, and an urgent coordinated Card 2016 is available at ama.com.au > oc st or email to [email protected]. approach was needed. Advocacy > Indigenous health © i 44 mmeeddiiccSSAA DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 22001166 heading Dr Philip Harding AMA welcomes proposed Editor’s modernisation of Medicare LETTER payments system THE AMA has welcomed the Its many faults create inefficiency and FATHER Christmas has made his annual government’s decision to replace inconvenience for doctors and patients. expedition down North Terrace to the the IT system that delivers Magic Cave, but in terms of what is of “Medical practices have now taken on Medicare and related payments. interest to the health sector… there are plenty much of the work of processing Medicare of things either happening, not happening or AMA president, Dr Michael Gannon, payments on behalf of the government, about to happen at either end of the street or and this can be cumbersome and said that replacing the system is in other parts of the Adelaide CBD. time-consuming. modernisation, not privatisation. At the existing RAH site, there have been so “It is critical the AMA is closely involved in “The AMA made it very clear during the many suggestions for future use – including a the design of the new system to ensure it election campaign that replacing the probable need to maintain part of its existing meets the needs of doctors and patients. backroom payment system for Medicare role for some time to come – that the Man does not equate to the privatisation of “Medical practices must be properly in the Red Suit probably knows the likely Medicare,” Dr Gannon said. supported by the government to outcome as well as anyone. incorporate and implement new At the western end of North Terrace, there is “The current payment system is 30 equipment and technologies to benefit some good news: the new Adelaide Health years old. It is clunky and inefficient. patients,” Dr Gannon said. and Medical Sciences building is near- complete and executive dean Alistair Burt AMSA welcomes advises that it will open for teaching in the first semester of 2017. Unfortunately, this does not apply to its neighbour teaching hospital, beset recommendations on with a series of well-publicised delays which need no further comment here, let alone the medical complaints process question of whether there will ever be adequate space for clinical teaching. At an early stage in the development of the new RAH, when it THE Australian Medical was protested that the Medical School, IMVS, etcetera remained at Frome Road, someone Students’ Association in authority suggested that it might do medical (AMSA) has welcomed the students no harm to walk to West Terrace. recommendations from the Senate Now it seems that they might have to walk in Inquiry report into the medical the opposite direction for a while. One wonders complaints process, specifically whether the possibility of such an absurdly in relation to bullying and sexual farcical situation has caught the attention of the harassment in the medical workforce. scriptwriters for the next student revue. AMSA support the recommendations Elsewhere in the CBD, significant hospital of the Inquiry, in particular the development is being undertaken in the private recommendations that: sector. One large hole in the ground off South • all hospitals review their codes of Terrace will become not just a car park, but • all universities adopt a curriculum that conduct to ensure that they contain a major extension to St Andrew’s Hospital, incorporates compulsory education a provision that specifically states including a dedicated cardiac ward together on bullying and harassment that bullying and harassment in the with day surgery and other facilities; while workplace is strictly not tolerated. • all universities accept responsibility another on the corner of Pulteney and Angas This code of conduct should explicitly for their students while they are on Streets will become the new Calvary Wakefield include students as well as hospital placement and adopt a procedure Hospital with half as many beds as the new staff and volunteers. for dealing with complaints of RAH, a 24/7 ED, and more. In our next issue, bullying and harassment made by AMSA remains firmly committed to we will provide detail on these projects, including the planning and consultative k their students while on placement working collaboratively with all key Stoc – this procedure should be stakeholders in health to ensure there is processes involved, which might be of interest ol to SA Health. S clearly defined and a written copy sustained action and resources provided k/ oc provided to students prior to their to eliminate behaviours of bullying and Meantime, the medicSA team sends Season’s st © i placement commencing sexual harassment. Greetings to all. mmeeddiiccSSAA DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 22001166 55 hneeawdsi n&g views Early diagnosis and intervention essential for children with autism spectrum disorder The AMA has called for coordinated action to speed up the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, and to provide early intervention therapies to give children with ASD the best outcomes possible. AMA president, Dr Michael “There is no specific biomedical test for Dr Gannon also criticised anti-vaccination Gannon, also called on the federal ASD – it cannot be diagnosed with a activists and others who made wild and government to rule out any future blood test or a scan,” Dr Gannon said. misleading claims about the cause of narrowing of the eligibility requirements for ASD, and peddled ‘miracle’ cures. “The number of paediatricians, child people with ASD to access the National psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists The CEO of Autism Awareness Australia, Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). working specifically in ASD is limited, Nicole Rogerson, said that, for too long, Launching the AMA Position Statement and the problem is magnified in rural and autism has been put in the ‘disability on Autism Spectrum Disorder 2016 at remote areas, where few, if any, clinicians basket’, without proper recognition of can make the diagnosis. the integral role doctors play in early NSW Parliament House, Dr Gannon said detection and supporting families. that while ASD could be reliably detected “There are also no nationally consistent at two years of age, Australian children guidelines for GPs on what to look for, The position statement is available at with ASD are most commonly diagnosed and when and how to refer a child who is ama.com.au/position-statement/autism- just before their sixth birthday. suspected of having ASD”. spectrum-disorder-2016. For more information a v o b u Phone 8275 3364 D a ari M k/ c o st © i 6 medicSA DECEMBER 2016 news & views South Australian gambling move: international experts protest International experts from Canada and New Zealand have spoken out against the SA State Government’s controversial decision to defund the Statewide Gambling Therapy Service (SGTS) in favour of a private psychology provider. The AMA(SA) continues to call for the service to be supported into the future. FIRST it was New Zealand, with Canada-based Prof David Hodgins, gambling research luminary Prof from the University of Calgary’s Max Abbot, based at the Auckland Department of Psychology, stressed University of Technology, where he is the “strong empirical support” of the the pro vice-chancellor and dean of the SGTS treatment, which has outcomes Faculty of Health and Environmental published in peer reviewed journals when Sciences. He is also a past president and he says most jurisdictions offer treatment senior consultant of the World Federation not subject to scientific study. He too for Mental Health, among other roles. strongly endorsed the SGTS team and Then it was Canada, with Prof David service, describing it as “a gem”. Hodgins, an expert in gambling treatment This is an issue the AMA(SA) has and research at the University of Calgary. been pursuing for some months, and Both have close knowledge of the continues to press. AMA(SA) president Dr SGTS’s work and leading cognitive Janice Fletcher sees the comments from behavioural therapy model. Both are overseas as just the tip of the iceberg in urging the SA State Government to terms of the service’s potential to make rethink the defunding of the current a difference. Flinders-based service. They were closely followed by Prof Robert Ladouceur, of “The comments from Prof Abbott, Prof issues, drug and alcohol issues. It has Université Laval, Canada. Hodgins and Prof Ladouceur highlight inpatient bed capacity for the most the international significance of defunding complex cases or people at a distance.” They add their concerns to those of the current Statewide Gambling Therapy the AMA(SA), which has long been “It has developed other leading Service,” she stated. expressing concerns on the move, and programs. It is training clinicians the Royal Australian and New Zealand “This is a service that has been making a interstate and overseas in its leading College of Psychiatrists (SA Branch). difference in South Australia for 20 years, programs. It is underpinning research Prof Abbott highlighted the local and but has also built up the expertise and at the Flinders Centre for Gambling international ramifications of the decision, world-leading programs that can have Research that can change lives and add describing closure of the service as “a international impact – and are already to the world’s knowledge bank on how loss globally”, and strongly endorsed set to make a difference on the larger to deal with gambling and the burdens the service. world stage, such as through the large it brings. This is not about one service. four-year New Zealand study using the This is about the big picture. That is why “The SGTS and associated Flinders Centre SGTS model.” the AMA(SA) is so concerned, why the for Gambling Research, with their wider RANZCP (SA Branch) is so concerned university and health service connections, “When world-leading clinicians, and why international experts are have developed a unique combination researchers and academics speak out so concerned.” of comprehensive treatment provision, at moments like this, you know it is public education and outreach, research, significant. You know it is something that The AMA(SA) continues to seek to evaluation and interdisciplinary practitioner is really going to make a difference in meet with Minister Zoe Bettison, whose education and training,” he said. people’s lives.” portfolio the service sits under, together with the RANZCP SA Branch, and has “The SGTS, of 20 years standing, and She feels the government has missed written to SA Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis Centre are at the forefront of innovation the point and failed to understand or to seek the State Government to and best practice internationally. The take into account what it has in the commit funds to the SGTS at Flinders in cognitive behaviour therapy program existing service. order that it can continue as a flagship developed by the Centre has been “The current service is much more than addiction treatment centre for SA. It an shown to be highly effective.” m just a treatment centre,” she stated. seems highly appropriate that some of g ber He anticipates the Flinders CBT model It is an integrated service. It is part of the newly established wagering tax funds al h “will, in due course, be the required a health and mental health service. It can be directed towards this purpose. k/ oc therapy for people with severe gambling can deal with the most complex cases, With funding for the service set to end on st © i disorders throughout New Zealand”. with co-morbidities, other mental health 31 December, time is of the essence. medicSA DECEMBER 2016 7 hneeawdsi n&g views The AMA(SA)’s RAH watch The opening date of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital remains uncertain, but the AMA(SA)’s ‘RAH watch’ continues, with the Association continuing to pursue questions and concerns raised by members. Two key areas have been clinical research space and outpatient services. Read on for the latest on these … THE AMA(SA) has been talking about clinical research space at the new RAH for some years now, as this vital area initially appeared to have been overlooked, or at least overshadowed by the shiny new SAHMRI next door. Crunch time has finally come though, with the government taking steps to assure all that solutions are, if not all in place, at least on the way. And not before time. But at this point, how do they measure up? We reported on our most recent advocacy about this in the last issue of medicSA, including a list of 18 key questions, and can here report the response from the minister, Jack Snelling. On theme, he advises that “research and clinical trials are considered an • Clinical research staff will have access groups to quantify the volume of integral part of modern patient treatment to allocated workstations, quiet rooms expected activity”. and will continue to be closely aligned and and meeting rooms able to be booked • These discussions are also being used incorporated into clinical services at the as needed. to inform the requirement for a High new RAH.” • The “reallocation” of part of the Acuity Research area (eg re location, ‘Teaching and Learning’ space as the size beds and unit governance). The minister confirms that the new ‘Research Hub’ was discussed with RAH will accommodate approximately • Clinical trial sponsors and researchers appropriate CALHN leads. 180 research and clinical trials staff, will have the opportunity to view the throughout the allocated Directorate • The “change in available space for new RAH and workspaces before the administration space and Research Hub. teaching activities will not compromise RAH opens to ensure compliance with These areas will be classified as ‘staff any of the planned clinical training at research agreements. the new RAH.” only’ and “are well placed to support the In relation to the questions and concerns high level of confidentiality and security • The new facility was designed to the AMA(SA) has raised on behalf required for clinical trial administration and support a “just-in-time delivery of medical staff regarding outpatient resources”. philosophy” in order to devote more services at the new RAH, SA Health space to support clinical activities. chief executive Vickie Kaminski has Clinicians remain concerned, however, • This extends to file management and indicated that: about the space for interaction between while “secure storage for files will be patients and clinical trials staff, given • Clinician engagement is occurring via available on each floor in the areas the limits on outpatient space and staff forums, meetings, workshops which house administration services, it capacity. Outpatients itself remains a and written documentation. will be limited”. somewhat fraught proposition due to • Potential processes are being drafted • This includes accommodation for both the physical space limitations and with the contractor to ensure timely clinic support staff. the not unrelated reduction in proposed file storage and retrieval. Feedback will • The new model of care “will require commissioned activity – said to be up to a then be sought. new work practices”. 20 percent reduction on current levels. • Clinical research activity is planned • Provision will be made to structure coll s In relation to the clinical research issues to be accommodated in the Level work to better support clinic Dri O’ raised by the AMA(SA), the minister has 3 Outpatient area and work is preparation and improve direct a v E advised that: “progressing with clinical trial communication with patients. © 8 medicSA DECEMBER 2016

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to prevent new cases of Rheumatic. Heart Disease in Dermatologists: Dr Jeffrey Wayte. General E [email protected] W www.apsa.com.au.
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