Island Anaesthesia

56 Pages·2010·7.61 MB·English

news
ASA
July 2010 l AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF ANAESTHETISTS
Island Anaesthesia
Suva, Fiji
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Federal Newsletter of the Australian
Society of Anaesthetists Limited
ACN 095 377 370, ABN 16 095 377 370
PO Box 600, Edgecliff, NSW 2027
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone] Editorial
Email: [email protected] 7 Executive Director’s Report
Website: www.asa.org.au
11 ASA Council Report
Editor: ASA Members Survey
Dr Jeanette Thirlwell
12 Economics Advisory Committee
Assistant Editors:
17 Professional Issues Advisory Committee
Dr Sharon Tivey
Dr Richard Bailey 19 ASA Member Honoured for Service
20 Australian Medical Association Update
Production Assistant:
Ms Velvet Garvey 26 Consent Revisited
28 Island Anaesthesia
ASA Executive Officers
32 Working in Kathmandu, Nepal
President:
Dr Elizabeth Feeney 34 End of Financial Year Preparations
Vice President: 35 GPALS Placements Begin
Dr Andrew Mulcahy 37 Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life
Executive Director: 40 News from WFSA
Mr Peter Lawrence
41 ASA Strategic Planning Workshop
The ASA Newsletter welcomes 42 69th National Scientific Congress 2 to 5 October 2010
contributions. Articles and letters
44 The vital question to ask before investing
should be brief and apposite. The
Society however cannot accept liability for 45 News from the States
statements and opinions of contributors. 49 Anaesthesia in the News
Disclaimer: 50 Return of significant anniversary loan
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists Limited
51 History of Anaesthesia Library, Museum and Archives News
is not liable for the accuracy or completeness
of the information in this document. The 53 Retired Anaesthetists Group
information in this document cannot replace 54 New ASA members and In Memoriam
professional advice.
Copyright:
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists Limited
owns the copyright of this material. This material
may only be reproduced for commercial
purposes with the written permission of the
Australian Society of Anaesthetists Limited.
Printed by:
SOS Print & Media, Sydney, NSW.
Editorial
I was Chair of a session entitled anaesthesia under supervision of an
“Manpower in Anaesthesia Setting”. anaesthetist. However, she was not
With speakers and attendees from the supportive of the use of unsupervised
Asian Australasian region, as well non-medical practitioners, believing
as Europe and Africa, the session the administration of an anaesthetic to
provided a global perspective on the be a medical act.
issue. Dr Jannike Mellin-Olsen’s
In the same presentation session,
(Norway) presentation “Anaesthesia
“Circumventing the shortfall of
manpower and female doctors in
anaesthesiologists”, Dr Y. K. Chan
Europe” highlighted not only the
from Malaysia spoke of non-medical
effects of the increasing percentage of
anaesthesia providers, pointing out
female anaesthetists in the workforce
many have no option. This was borne
in Europe, but also the effects of the
by the international audience during
increased mobility that the single-
question time, with many countries
labour market of the European
having insufficient medical graduates
Union has had. In Europe, females
to meet their needs and experiencing
are less likely to work in rural areas
difficulty with attracting graduates
and more likely to work fewer hours
to anaesthesia. This is further
and to leave the specialty for shorter
exacerbated by the fact that many of
periods or permanently. Uncertainty
Dr Elizabeth Feeney their graduates are attracted to the
is further exacerbated by the work-
greener pastures of other countries,
life balance choices of both males
The National Registration and where they subsequently meet another
and females, the global mobility of
Accreditation Scheme is established. country’s shortfall. The failure of many
the medical workforce in general, the
We now have to wait to see if some of developed countries to train adequate
European Safe Hours Directive and
the positive aspects, such as increased numbers of medical graduates is
the broadening scope of anaesthesia
ease of mobility of workforce that impacting on many nations, but most
practice.
were generally supported by the significantly on countries who may not
profession, now come into play. For Associate Professor Bauw Chi Ong be able to provide as many career and
those requiring multi-jurisdictional from Singapore spoke in relation to personal opportunities. For developing
registration, the process and cost broadening scopes of practice. In her countries, the egress of medical
should be less, despite the $650 presentation, she asked the question: graduates has enormous impact.
registration fee that is disappointingly, “Patient safety; another subspecialty
but not unexpectedly, higher than of anaesthesiology just like ICU Dr Chan also raised the issue of
previous fees in most states. Will and pain?” I believe the answer efficient utilisation of the existing
increased mobility contribute to is no; safety and quality are core workforce through appropriate
addressing the major flaws within business. Anaesthetists are involved organisational structures enabling
our medical and health workforce now in perioperative medicine, efficient management of caseload – an
provision? I think not. intensive care and pain medicine issue relevant to all jurisdictions. In
many areas, this is a structural change
and, in some countries, emergency
There is a global shortage of all involving hospital administrations
medicine. Certainly the engagement of
healthcare workers – workforce and government, but it also should be
anaesthetists in these other areas varies
supply and demand is a major item driven at a local level through clinician-
from country to country, but in general
on the agenda of most governments led initiatives. Opportunities must
anaesthetists’ skills are increasingly
internationally. The prediction of exist within all systems for clinicians
being utilised in areas outside the
the medical workforce is known to inform the decisions of health
operating room.
to be challenging – the ASA and policy makers and administrations.
Australia and New Zealand College Dr Mellin-Olsen also highlighted that We must engage both on a local level
of Anaesthetists committed significant the variation in type of anaesthesia and through our professional societies
funds to surveying our workforce assistants affected workforce needs. and associations to best represent the
two years ago. I recently attended the The scope of practice varies from interest of the medical workforce and,
13th Asian Australasian Congress of country to country, from assisting most importantly, we must be our
Anaesthesiologists in Japan, where the anaesthetist to administering patients’ advocates.
4 Australian Society of Anaesthetists ASA News July 10
Engagement was the theme of the recently held Australian anaesthesia supply and demand has been undertaken and
Medical Association Conference. Entitled “Engaging in is about to be reported. The ASA has had representation on
Health Reform”, the conference was opened by the Prime this working party.
Minister who took the opportunity to announce $58 million
In the 2009 Federal budget, however, the National Health
in funding for Lead Clinician Groups in Local Hospital
Workforce Taskforce will be subsumed by a new agency
Networks. This, coupled with the undertaking by Health
which has been announced, Health Workforce Australia.
Minister Ms Nicola Roxon during a debate with Mr Peter
The Government has committed $125 million to the
Dutton to ensure local clinician representation on local
establishment and operation of the Health Workforce
boards, should facilitate the return of our engagement,
Australia, with a further $1.2 billion in combined
should these promises be delivered. There is underutilised
Commonwealth and states and territory funding being
medical manpower in Australia, in some jurisdictions more
administered through Health Workforce Australia over
than others. Through the failure to engage, many clinicians
four years for initiatives under the Council of Australian
choose to work less rather than suffer the frustrations and
Governments’ health workforce package. As we are all
the lack of recognition for the skills that they bring to the
aware, the setting up of costly agencies does not guarantee
table. The goodwill has been lost in many areas. If this is to
the delivery of solutions. It is essential that this one does
change we all must avail ourselves of these opportunities
deliver but not at the expense of quality and safety. The
for input. If and when they arise, we must not sit back and
solutions must provide patient outcomes that are at least as
allow enthusiasts that are often ideologically rather than
good as the current system, but preferably better.
pragmatically driven to dominate. This will provide the best
outcomes for patients.
As autonomous individuals, we do much to influence the
supply side of anaesthesia by making decisions about the
In 2006, in response to workforce shortfalls, the Council
type of work we do and where, how much and with whom
of Australian Governments committed substantially to
we do it. We must ensure that this continues to be the case
reforming the health workforce in Australia to provide a
by providing a safe, quality and professional service.
flexible and responsive workforce while maintaining quality
and safety. The National Health Workforce Taskforce
We hope you like the free paediatric stickers in this issue of
was established to develop reform innovations. Through
the ASA news. If you would like to obtain some more, they
collaboration with the Australian Health Workforce Institute
can be purchased in rolls of 250 for $18+GST from the ASA
and PricewaterhouseCoopers, it has formed the National
HQ. Just email Sarah at [email protected] or call her on
Health Workforce Planning and Research Collaboration to
1800 806 654.
undertake national health workforce research over a
three-year period, including future supply and demand Elizabeth Feeney
models for the health workforce. The research into President
Stop Press!
The ASA congratulates Dr Haydn Perndt, AM on his award of a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday
Honours for service to medicine, particularly in the field of anaesthesia, to medical education through the design and
implementation of training programs for health care practitioners in developing countries, and to professional organisations.
The ASA also congratulates Professor Teik Oh AM on his award of Member of the Order of Australia for service to
medicine, particularly through the development of protocols for the specialties of anaesthesia and intensive care, through
leadership roles in clinical and academic practice, and with professional bodies.
Australian Society of Anaesthetists ASA News July 10 5
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Executive Director’s Report
State and Territory important activities of the Economics
and Professional Issues and Advisory
Offices
Committees with the development
I am pleased to advise members of ASA submissions and position
in Queensland and the Australian statements. This work is very time-
Capital Territory that we have now intensive so the new full-time
arranged for secretarial support for the professional officer will be very
respective committees and Continuing welcome to the staff.
Medical Education functions from
AMA Queenlsand and AMA ACT, The other major improvement is
respectively. The Queensland office the development of full in-house
was previously provided by ANZCA typesetting capabilities. The ASA will
using ANZCA staff. With a review of be able to prepare the Journal, AIC, to
the cost of operations it was considered the point immediately prior to printing.
our administrative needs could be met Previously this pre-production work
through the AMA. The AMA provides had been carried out by the printer
similar services to a number of because of the special skill, software
medical organisations in Queensland and time required. In 2008, we trialled
Mr Peter Lawrence
so they were our natural alternative in-house production of the ASA news
provider. The ASA has not previously and have been increasingly preparing
had an office in the ACT so the new ASA publications in house. This has
Board of Directors AMA ACT arrangement will be a well demonstrated that with the appropriate
I recently had a conversation with overdue first for the Territory! software and training, we can
undertake all pre-production work. The
a member concerning the structure
Please note the telephone number for
benefit is reduced operating costs and
and process to fill the positions on
ASA enquiries for Queensland and the
greater flexibility for the production
the ASA Board of Directors, which
ACT will now be 1800 806 654.
team and editors.
you may also find interesting. The
Board is, through our Constitution, Each state office has different support
These changes will bring the total
also the ASA Council. The Board is arrangements and I am in the process
staff number in the ASA Headquarters
elected by members in two ways. The of aligning them to provide the best
in Edgecliff to 19, or 16.5 full
states and territories elect the Chair facilities for members and the State
time equivalents (and one term
of their Management Committee at Committee.
appointment). The organisational chart
local Annual General Meetings. The
However, as most enquiries to the ASA shows the new restructure.
Chair is then automatically a member
relate to national issues – economic,
of the ASA Board. Secondly, the
legal and policy, I suggest that Upgrade for the
remaining members of the Board,
except one, are elected at the Annual members either go online and send Anesthesia and Intensive
an email to [email protected] or
General Meeting of the Society that is
Care Website
call the ASA Headquarters on 1800
held in conjunction with the National
Scientific Congress. The only Board 806 654. The enquiry will be directed Over the next three months, the
member who is not elected is the to the appropriate office-bearer or Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
Immediate Past President; this position committee for a quick response. website will be redesigned and re-
is ex officio. In total there are 12 launched. The original website is
New Capabilities
directors and the Chair of the Board nearly a decade old and, while it has
(President) is, of course, directly Other staff changes in the ASA been continually fine tuned, it is now
elected by members at the Annual Headquarters are planned to occur ready for a major revamp! I expect
General Meeting. The ASA Financial this year. The objective of the we’ll have a trial website available
Report (published immediately changes is to align the staff teams for review before the next National
prior the Annual General Meeting into more functional groupings. The Scientific Congress. And while
and available on the ASA website) most significant change will be the discussing technology, the database of
provides a summary of the Directors’ introduction of a Policy Adviser. the ASA is also to be upgraded with a
attendance at Board meetings. The new position will integrate the new server and significantly enhanced
Australian Society of Anaesthetists ASA News July 10 7

ASA Headquarters - Organisational Chart
COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE
Dianne Bennett
Peter Lawrence GPALS Project
Executive Director Coordinator
Clarissa Fletcher TBA Gordana Grainne Mullen Christine Ingate
Communications Policy Adviser Stevanoski
Corporate Financial
Manager Executive Officer
Services Controller
Avril Cronk Robert Campbell Erin McGarrigle Natalie Sinn Matthew Aung
Marketing & Events Officer Publications Membership Accountant
Communications Officer Officer
Alexandra Terry Velvet Garvey Olivia Zarb Sarah Hall Aaron Fischer
Marketing & Publications Executive Administrations Corporate
Events Assistant Assistant Assistant Assistant Services
Anthony Sillavan Peter Stanbury TBA
Archivist Librarian Curator
capacity. The database is also capable specialist anaesthetists have expressed being able to fill the position with
of assisting in the management of interest in it. a GP anaesthetist. Some remote
meetings and educational events. hospitals are paying specialist rates
Another assumption made about
to GP anaesthetists to entice them to
All these changes are needed as specialist anaesthetists contributing
work in undesirable locations.
the Society continues to expand to to the supply side was that rural
meet your needs. Fortunately, the hospitals/practices would be agreeable If you would like more information
recent recovery of our investments to employ a specialist anaesthetist please call Ms Dianne Bennett at the
(and further to go, we all trust) has in lieu of a GP anaesthetist. This ASA on 1800 806 654.
enabled us to undertake these capital assumption is only viable if a
investments without creating a deficit placement request is from a hospital Service and Colleagues
or increasing fees freater than the rather than a practice, and the
From time to time, the ASA seeks
CPI. feasibility study did not examine the
volunteers for short-period overseas
degree to which placement requests
assistance, training and supervision. If
Locums Sought for the would be from rural hospitals rather
you would like to register your interest
General Practitioner than GP practices.
please let me or Dr Rob McDougall
Anaesthetist Locum However, as GPALS is unfolding, know.
it is apparent that the provenance of
Service Finally, if you would like to put
the most placement requests is from
We are halfway through the rural and remote hospitals (70%), forward members who you feel should
roll-out of the federally funded where the locum will be required for be recognised for their services to the
General Practitioner Anaesthetist their anaesthesia skills only. This Society or the Australian Community
Locum Service (GPALS). During means the placement requests being at large, please let me know. All
the GPALS feasibility study, we successful would be more likely if enquires are obviously treated in
surveyed members to ascertain there was greater participation by confidence.
whether specialist anaesthetists specialist anaesthetists in the supply
would contribute to the supply side side.
of GPALS. We had quite positive
responses, but since the launch of Rural/remote hospitals pay specialist Peter Lawrence
GPALS only a scant number of anaesthetist rates in the absence of Executive Director
Australian Society of Anaesthetists ASA News July 10 9
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