November 2007
The secret list: part 2 Remember the secret backscratch list of top referring GPs allegedly held by...
LATEST ARTICLES
October 2007
Payout for "hostile" medico's sacking
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has recommended that Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS) apologise and pay compensation to Dr Julie Copeman for terminating her employment at a Perth clinic in 2004, allegedly for lobbying about colleagues' workplace conditions as an AMA rep. They found DYHS was frustrated that Dr Copeman had discussed her colleagues' complaints in a forceful, open manner that was "interpreted as being hostile". The Commission recommended DYHS pay Dr Copeman $76,185 compensation for emotional hurt and lost income.
Primary scuttle Symbion/Healthscope merger
Primary Health Care has used its recently acquired 20% stake in Symbion to scuttle the long-expected Symbion/Healthscope merger. Although 99.2% of voters (representing 73.9 % of total shares) were in favour, the requirement to meet a share vote of 75% was stymied by Primary. Healthscope and Symbion are now "discussing other options".
Addiction Medicine fellowships
Tony Abbott has signed off on Addiction Medicine being recognised as a specialty...
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Beneath the Drapes. October 2007
Dr Ryan Wallman has followed his dream and taken up a full time position as a health writer with Wellmark Communications in Melbourne. Prior to the interstate move, Ryan worked with Subiaco Community Mental Health as a psychiatric medical officer and was a freelance member of the Medical Forum team. We wish him every success in his new role!
Joondalup Health Campus DON Liz Prime is on leave while she competes as the Labor candidate for the seat of Cowan against Graeme Edwards. Dr Richard Saker, originally from Perth, is the new director of medical services at JHC, replacing ED specialist Dr Brad Power who was filling the position part time.
Ms Peta Wootton has started as Manager, Community Mental Health as part of...
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Specialist Fees – Need for More Transparency
In a nutshell, the results showed. Read More...
September 2007
EasyClaim slow
WA doctors are not racing to embrace the federal government's Easy Claim system. In theory, the good idea of allowing people to claim Medicare rebates at the same time as they pay their doctor's bill has been outweighed by the extra time in processing and the need for additional staff. The AMA has put forward a proposal that doctors be paid $1 for every claim made - pharmacists and banks receive a transaction fee. As a side issue, it was reported in the Financial Review that a number of senior AMA policy staff dealing with electronic health had resigned following the election of Dr Rosanna Capolingua.
Diluted WA health dollar
A report by the Federal Government shows that in 2005-2006, WA spent $3.5 billion in health (an increase of $170m) but due to a rising population this equated to $118 less per person than the preceding year (but still $894 per person, the second highest). The report also showed that the average number of beds per 1000 population fell 0.1 to 2.5 and the average waiting time for procedures increased by one day.
Thanks for the mammaries
Through years of IVF treatment (and afterwards), Busselton woman Sarah O'Brien struggled... Read More...
Beneath the Drapes. September 2007
Mr Kim Snowball has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of WA Country Health Services, replacing Christine O'Farrell. Prior to his appointment, Kim was the National Group Director of Social Outreach and Advocacy for St John of God Health Care.
Mr Ken Wyatt OAM has been appointed as Director, Office of Aboriginal Health. Ken was previously the WA Director of Aboriginal Education and most recently the Director of Aboriginal Health with the NSW Department of Health. Ken replaces Neil Fong (not to be confused with WA Health Director-General Dr Neale Fong), who filled the Director role for 15 months following Terry Murphy's departure. Neil has taken up a new position as Assistant Commissioner of Aboriginal Justice.
Dr Tony Robins has taken on the role of...Read More...
August 2007
Origin experts downunder
With 103 confirmed international speakers, the six-day 5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health & Disease coming to Perth (Nov 6) promises great things in preventive health - just when State Health is moving in that direction. Sponsorship by WA's Womens and Infants Research Foundation and government has attracted the biennial conference to the southern hemisphere for the first time, thanks also to intensive lobbying from convenor Prof John Newnham. Over 500 delegates are expected from obstetrics, paediatrics, general practice and medical research. Not surprisingly, pharmaceutical sponsors are absent, given this conference is about preventing illness. See www.dohad2007.org for more details.
Rated or overinflated?
Remember "Rate MDs.com" (http://au.ratemds.com) from last month's Have You Heard? Ratings of WA medicos have now tripled. While there are plenty of comments like "if its bones you got a problem with, he is your man" - one worrying note cropped up on a specialist's record: "He appeared either extremely tired or otherwise impaired - slurred speech, blurry eyes, inattention, etc. His treatment has resulted in permanent and disabling damage..." The site's FAQ counsels that if you think your rating is unfair, your only course is to post a comment. Imperiously, they state they will not remove doctors' names and lawsuits will not work (quoting some US laws - pfft!), adding this pearl of wisdom: "this site is only going to get more popular as time goes by, so the best way of dealing with it is to use it rather than try to fight it."
QEII angst
While the Reid report's focus has been closing Royal Perth and opening the new Fiona Stanley hospital, the expansion of QEII is causing angst ... Read More...
Beneath the Drapes. August 2007
Media and Publications officer Coby Pearson has left Osborne Division of General Practice after nine years of service...