New AMA Queensland President
Dr Chris Zappala
Health Vision: Workforce and Training launch Health Ombudsman’s first year
FREE TO AMA QUEENSLAND MEMBERS
July / august 2015 . vol 95
AMA Queensland Membership Magazine
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CONTENTS
this issue ama queensland’s new president and council
meet your new elected representatives: president dr chris zappala, the board and councillors.
22
20
12
10 REGULARS
42
business tools
4
From the Editor’s desk
6
44 protection you should not be without
President’s Report
8
46 group ownership considerations
CEO’s Report
48 beware the part-time tax expert
36 Member News
Features
18 new president: Dr chris zappala 22 ama queensland’s new board and council
50 Ensure you get the most from your life and income protection insurance 52 Google’s mobile revolution to impact private practice 53 International investment: still time to re-position your portfolio
32 health vision: workforce and training
55 Should I buy or lease my commercial space?
Current issues
Life
26 agony aunt: creating a healthy workplace
58 restaurant review
16 federal budget 2015
28 doctors health at the forefront
56 Travel 60 movies
30 office of the health ombudsman’s first anniversary
61 on stage
people & events
64 all about you
10 dinner for the profession wrap up
62 ocker doctor 66 In print
12 Junior Doctor conference wrap up 14 Starting and working in private practice 20 a day in the life of a medical researcher 34 speaker update: Professor Ken o’byrne 38 Calendar 40 speaker update: Timothy sharp 42 local medical association round up
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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editor’s desk
from the editor’s desk Board of Directors
Michelle Ford Russ Doctor Q Editor July is always a ridiculously busy time for AMA Queensland. Around 200 people joined us for our first ever Dinner for the Profession, which incorporated the Presidential Inauguration (p10). From there, we hosted the immensely popular Junior Doctor Conference, which has become the big item on the junior doctor calendar (p12). Our Starting and Working in Private Practice Conference in early July was also really well received (p14). This edition introduces you to your new elected representative at AMA Queensland: President Dr Chris Zappala
Awards
Dr Chris Zappala President
Dr Kirsten Price Honorary Secretary
(p18) and also your new Board and Council (p22).
Dr Shaun Rudd Chair of Board and Council
Dr Dilip Dhupelia Appointed Director
Our Policy team has had a good look at the Federal Budget and what it will mean for you (p16) and we examine the Office of the Health Ombudsman’s first year of handling complaints (p30).
Dr Bill Boyd Vice-President
I had the chance to speak to Dr Malcolm Forbes and he showed us what his daily life looks like (p20). He has now taken over from Dr Tom Arthur as AMA Queensland’s Council of Doctors in Training Chair. Michelle
Congratulations to the following members who received awards on the Queen’s birthday.
Professor Stephen Vincent LYNCH AC Member for 18 years Professor Stephen Lynch was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to medicine, particularly through major advancements in the area of liver transplantation surgery and science, as a leading clinician, to medical education and training at a national and international level, and to professional organisations. Professor Ian Ronald GOUGH AM Member for 34 years Professor Gough became a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine as a clinician, to education as an academic, researcher and author, and through medical advisory roles. Dr Michael William LANIGAN AM Member for 36 years Dr Lanigan became a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and through charitable and professional organisations.
Dr Bav Manoharan Treasurer
Dr Richard Kidd Appointed Director Dr Sharmila Biswas Appointed Director
Council Dr Tom Arthur Greater Brisbane Area
Dr Sharon Kelly Specialist Craft Group
Dr Sharmila Biswas Far North Area
Dr Richard Kidd General Practitioner Craft Group
Dr Kimberley Bondeson Greater Brisbane Area Dr Lisa Byrom Greater Brisbane Area Dr Sarah Coll Specialist Craft Group Dr Dilip Dhupelia Part-time Medical Practitioner Craft Group Dr Jim Finn Full-time Salaried Medical Practitioner Craft Group
Professor Steve Kisely Greater Brisbane Area Dr Luke Lawton North Area Dr Bav Manoharan Gold Coast Area Dr Paul Neeskens General Practitioner Craft Group Dr Kirsten Price Greater Brisbane Area
Dr Malcolm Forbes Doctors in Training Representative
Dr Anil Sharma International Medical Graduate Representative
Dr Wayne Herdy North Coast Area
Dr Josie Sundin Greater Brisbane Area
Dr Brad Horsburgh Greater Brisbane Area
AMA Queensland Secretariat Jane Schmitt Chief Executive Officer
obituaries Dr Aidene Rosalind URQUHART Psychiatrist Late of Camp Hill Member for 20 years
Dr Photene WEBER General Practitioner Late of Helensvale Member for 44 years
Dr James Humphrey JOYCE General Practitioner Late of Home Hill Member for 63 years
Dr Susann BRUNKE Anaesthetist Late of Kenmore Member for 16 years
Disclaimer – All material in Doctor Q remains the copyright of AMA Queensland and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission. While every care is taken to provide accurate information in this publication, the material within Doctor Q is for general information and guidance only and is not intended as advice. Readers are advised to make their own enquiries and/or seek professional advice as to the accuracy of the content of such articles and/or their applicability to any particular circumstances. AMA Queensland, its servants and agents exclude, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any liability which may arise as a result of the use of the material in Doctor Q.
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Filomena Ferlan General Manager Corporate Services
Holly Bretherton General Manager Member Relations and Communications
Editor: Michelle Ford Russ Graphic Designer: Nathan Pitt Journalists: Rachael Finley James Hodge Advertising: Louise Glynn
Doctor Q is published by AMA Queensland Contact Phone: (07) 3872 2222 Postal Address: PO Box 123, Red Hill QLD 4059 Print Post Approved PP100007532 Email: amaq@amaq.com.au
editor’s desk
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
dr Chris zappala President, AMA Queensland
I wish to begin by acknowledging the efforts of my predecessors and in particular Dr Shaun Rudd. I particularly wish to highlight his advocacy in regard to the obesity epidemic and how the system can better meet this need. The AMA represents a diverse, intelligent group of professionals who collectively require of our association many different things. Our focus and efforts therefore evolve to reflect contemporary need, defying encapsulation in single statements. The truly astute amongst us will realise the problems faced by general practitioners or specialists whether in private practice, public practice or both – are all linked! Any change that demeans or subjugates doctors is a retrograde step for us all. One of my deep concerns is that for too long we have ceded ground for the sake of being seen as team players. This self-imposed oppression has been gleefully seized on by those seeking to usurp the perceived glamour of the medical role, leaving doctors to still burden the responsibility of a patient’s expectations and optimally managing care. Random immunisation by pharmacists is an example of the wilful breaking of the primary care bond between General Practitioner and patient that undermines their efforts to provide holistic, longitudinal care. It remains unclear to me why health care policy does not concentrate on enabling all health care professionals to optimally do the job they were trained to do with full resources. We grapple with alternate models of health care that ignore current deficiencies – insufficient nurse and allied health practitioners within the Queensland system should be a primary concern, not nurse endoscopists, physiotherapists ordering X-rays or optometrists trying to diagnose complex retinal disease. While junior doctor numbers steadily grow following the doubling of medical school intake, our concern needs to be on appropriate training and distribution of the medical workforce, not a pre-emptive substitution of their role by other healthcare professionals whose services are worryingly deficient within the system; whose skills are best used in other ways and; with dubious outcomes in terms of the quality and cost of care ultimately provided.
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Our highly trained and experienced workforce is oppressed by an enervating bureaucracy that shuffles people between meetings, working towards outcomes that lack relevance for patients. Queensland Health unfortunately lacks a true thinking culture within which clinicians can do their job to the best of their trained ability. Safeguards are required, but not strait jackets. Our highly trained and experienced workforce is oppressed by an enervating bureaucracy that shuffles people between meetings, working towards outcomes that lack relevance for patients. Upon reflection of the difficulties faced at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, we need to remember that how we treat patients and to what extent we empower staff to make their own decisions, will form the basis of our corporate culture.
The AMA Queensland Health Vision evinces such a thoughtful, longterm approach to healthcare - which maximises the strengths of our system and transcends the political cycle, internecine conflicts and inter-disciplinary jealousies.
In the federal sphere we need to start a meaningful discussion with all of our colleagues about improving the private health insurance system. The nature of policies, their advertisement and delivery to patients needs careful reform to help this sector improve efficiency and its contribution to long-term sustainability.
The public hospital system has many virtues. Frustratingly however, there remains a blinkered rigidity that focuses predominantly on targets and financials goals of dubious relevance to clinical outcomes – the UNSW School of Clinical Governance’s work regarding Australian Council of Healthcare Standards, highlights this gap. Too many rules, policies and procedures undermine people’s ability to think for themselves and to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. The natural tendency then is to pass responsibility and blame up-line.
The AMA is edging its way to a collective wisdom that shrugs off the constraints of parochialism. This creation of aligned effort and will is what the AMA is for – as the only organisation with the reach and resources to satisfy the disparate expectations of our members and bind together stakeholder groups. Fundamental to this is the need to restore faith in our profession and our vision, whenever it wanes, time and time again and on every occasion that it is needed. We have an impressive and dedicated team of staff and member doctors on our Council and Board who are ready to provide this leadership. Q
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
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DoctorQ July / August 2015
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ceo’S REPORT
JANE SCHMITT Chief Executive Officer, AMA Queensland
Dinner for the Profession Last month, we hosted our first annual Dinner for the Profession, incorporating the Presidential Inauguration. The night was a fantastic success and we were thrilled to honour the hard work of our members, Council and President over the last year and look forward to the year to come. It has been my pleasure of the last year to work with Dr Shaun Rudd, whose commitment and passion for the profession are evident in the Association’s achievements during his presidential term. I also welcome Dr Chris Zappala to the role. As the medical profession continues in this time of change, I’m confident Dr Zappala’s leadership and consultative approach will enable AMA Queensland to continue effectively advocating on behalf of members.
AMA Queensland events In addition to the Dinner for the Profession, we recently hosted our second annual Junior Doctor Conference, featuring renowned speakers such as Professor Ian Frazer AC, co-creator of the HPV vaccine; Professor John Murtagh AM, known as the father of general practice; and Dr Kellee Slater, author of the award-winning How to do a liver transplant: stories from my surgical life. As the future of the profession, junior doctors and medical students are a vital membership group and we were pleased to once again offer such a comprehensive, unique conference. Over 250 delegates attended this weekend of inspiration and professional development, making it one of our most successful conferences to date. Following JDC, there was no rest for the AMA Queensland team as we prepared for our annual Starting and Working in Private Practice Conference on 3-4 July. The Private Practice Conference has long been one of our most successful events, underpinning a need for strong support and education for private practitioners and their staff. The Private Practice Conference brought tremendous value to delegates who benefited from legal, financial, insurance and legal advice, as well as guidance from top medical practitioners on practice models, Medicare changes and eHealth.
Queensland awarded Best Public Health Campaign At the AMA National Conference in May, AMA Queensland took home the title of Best Public Health Campaign for our diligent work over the last year to tackle to Queensland obesity epidemic. Recognising a need to address the obesity crisis in Queensland, we launched the first part of our Lighten Your Load campaign in July 2014, with the second part rolled out in March of this year. Whilst obesity affects the entire state, it is particularly problematic in rural and regional areas, so this campaign sought to raise awareness about the risks of obesity, provide education on simple lifestyle changes for a healthier weight and, most importantly, encourage patients to speak to their GP about their health. 8
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Fighting obesity has been a guiding principle of our public health work over the last year. In addition to this campaign, measures to address the state’s burgeoning weight featured heavily in the AMA Queensland Election Platform and part one of our Health Vision. All of these measures are guided by the goal of Queenslanders being five per cent slimmer by 2020.
Family Doctor Week 19-25 July is AMA’s Family Doctor Week, a campaign to recognise the hard work of GPs and raise awareness about the challenges they face. At a federal level, you may have heard about the campaign with AMA launching special editions of its publications as well as a series of videos about the role of general practitioners. At the state level, we will also be acknowledging the hard work of members through an upcoming GP campaign highlighting the central role they play in the health of their communities. I am humbled by our countless members who go above and beyond, and look forward to highlighting this work in the coming weeks.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS On 4 June 2015, the Queensland Government passed the Industrial Relations (Restoring Fairness) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2015, reversing a number of changes made to the Industrial Relations Act (IR Act) in 2013, including provisions relating to collective bargaining provisions, employment conditions and access to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. All provisions relating to the High Income Guarantee Contracts have been removed from the IR and HHS legislation. Over recent months, negotiations have been taking place with Queensland Health for the 4th Medical Officers Certified Agreement (MOCA4) for SMOs and RMOs. It is expected that by the time you are reading this column, an offer will be presented by Queensland Health for review and consideration by the SMOs and RMOs. AMA Queensland and ASMOFQ will continue to keep SMOs and RMOs abreast of these matters and the process that will follow. Discussions regarding the future industrial environment for VMOs will commence once these negotiations have been finalised. VMOs now have an unfettered opportunity to set the agenda for their own industrial future. A standardised common law contract, a dedicated VMO Award, or individual arrangements are all possible options to be considered. AMA Queensland has established a VMO Committee to represent the interests of VMOs on this important issue, with Dr Sharon Kelly as interim Chair. The committee will hold its first meeting in the next few weeks and in the meantime, will email VMOs a survey to provide the committee with input into their preferred system of employment with Queensland Health. If you have an interest in being part of this new committee, please email Erica Judd on e.judd@amaq.com.au Q
ceo’S REPORT
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DoctorQ July / August 2015
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People & EVENTS
Dinner for the Profession incorporating the Presidential Inauguration
AMA Queensland’s first ever Dinner for the Profession was a raging success, with more than 180 guests enjoying a night of dinner, dancing and jazz at Cloudland last month. Dr Chris Zappala was installed as 2015-16 President on the night and Dr Shaun Rudd was congratulated for his hard work during his presidency in 2014-15. So many of our members and guests enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues in all their finery.
Cartoonist Wayne Flemming
Guests also enjoyed the chance to get their caricature done, and enjoyed performances from The Human Design Duo, a male duo who showed some impressive feats of strength and balance. When formalities reached a
close, jazz band Swing Central had guests out on the dance floor. Cloudland was a beautiful backdrop to the evening, with vertical gardens, chandeliers and a waterfall. The dinner was held in the Rainbow Room, inspired by the Rockfeller Centre’s iconic dining rooms in New York. The night was made possible by our generous sponsors at William Buck, Lexus and BOQ Specialist. The 2016 Dinner for the Profession will be held on Friday 10 June. If you wish to provide feedback, or grab a copy of a photo from the night, email registrations@amaq.com.au.
Lilian Cooper Prize James Peter Rowland John Bostock Prize in Psychiatry Yi Wei William Nathaniel Robertson Prize Samuel Moore AMA Memorial Prize James Peter Rowland AMA Queensland Medal of Achievement – JCU Adam Walsh AMA Queensland Child Health Prize – Bond Sai Navya Purchuri AMA Queensland Children’s Health Prize - Griffith Andrea Coleman Awards of Distinction Louise Morton Father James Smith Veronica McDonald Dr Shaun Rudd hands over the Presidential gown and medal to 2015-16 President Dr Chris Zappala
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Citation of the Branch Dr Ray Gwynne President’s Award Dr Steve Hambleton Q
People & EVENTS
Dr Sarah Coll and James Coll
Drs Mauritius du Toit, Melissa Naidoo, Alex Markwell and Ben Duke
Human Design Duo in action
Drs Graham and Cheryl McNally, Dr Bob Taylor, Carmel Brown, Dr Bob Brown and Colleen Sullivan
Professor Graeme Nimmo, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young and Drs Kirsten and Chris Price
James Rowland receives the Dr Lilian Cooper prize from Dr Shaun Rudd
Dr Jaimie Aslanidis, Dr Rhys Thomas, Dr Natasha Behrendorff, Ivana Stankov and Dr Bav Manoharan
Director General Dr Michael Cleary with Health Minister Cameron Dick and Dr Shaun Rudd DoctorQ July / August 2015
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People & EVENTS
Junior doctor conference Following an immensely successful 2014 conference, more than 250 doctors and students didn’t want to miss this year’s 2015 Junior Doctor Conference. Developed by the AMA Queensland Council of Doctors in Training, the comprehensive two-day program featured over 50 speakers focused on research, leadership and resilience, delivered by leaders in the medical profession, business and political arenas. Junior doctors and students had the opportunity to present their preferred research topic or best moment in medicine, with prizes awarded for the best presentations. Congratulations to Dr Hannah Bellwood, winner of the Best Moments in Medicine
– John Dorian Cup and Dr Miriam Cameron, who won the poster competition for her presentation on Remote supervision of medical training via videoconferencing in northern Australia: a qualitative study of the perspectives of supervisors and trainees. Dr Rajit Gilhotra won for his research presentation on Indigenous Australians on Renal Dialysis: The Townsville Hospital Experience. An un-named guest won a $5,000 diamond, thanks to William Buck. Don’t miss next year’s conference, planned for 25 and 25 June 2016. Don’t forget to get in early, just like Emma Szallasi – Emma won a $1,500 BOQ Specialist Early-Bird Travel Voucher for registering early this year. Q
Professor Ian Frazer AC spoke about the discovery of the cervical cancer vaccine and the latest steps towards a Herpes vaccine.
Guests enjoyed comedian Lawrence Mooney at the cocktail party
Stephanie French, Dana Phang, Justin Weller, Elizabeth Hamilton and Emily Hall
Dr Julia Wills, Michael Furler, Dr Marianne Seville, Dr Jacqui Seebold and Joe Roberts.
Drs Kimberley Golding, Roisin Bhamjee and Bernadette Wong 12
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
People & EVENTS
Dr Vinesh Appadurai
Drs Amy Van Dalen and Morvarid Ashtari
Drs Sam Lee, Jack Callum and Logan Gardner
College Training panel members: Drs Melanie Jackson, Alex Markwell and Vanessa Grayson
Rachel Preisenberger and Drs Semini Wickramatunga and Lauren Styan MBBS career options panel members: Drs Jennifer Schafer and Michael Bonning DoctorQ July / August 2015
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People & EVENTS
Starting and Working in Private Practice Members and guests flocked to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for this year’s Starting and Working in Private Practice Conference. Many existing practice owners and managers enjoyed the technology focus: cloud computing, social media, cyber security and digital marketing. They were also joined by an equal number of new practice owners and managers getting the low down on how to set up their practice right! Professor Kerryn Phelps AM and Dr Manu Nithianantha were very well received with their presentations and very honest insights on integrative and innovative business models. AMA Queensland Past Presidents Dr Steve Hambleton and Dr Richard Kidd gave insightful presentations on the current status of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records and Medicare systems, respectively. A good number of General Practitioners earned valuable CPD points as a result of their attendance, with some fantastic questions being presented by them and the general audience.
Drs Juan Rois Gnecco and Damien Daniel
Drs Tim Aung and Richard Kidd
Mina McPhee and Amanda Pinna
This event was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Attendees who visited the trade stands had the chance to win a bottle of MĂśet (Experien), a gourmet food and wine hamper (BOQ Specialist), a bottle of Veuve (AMA Queensland Insurance Solutions), a BMW for the weekend (Brisbane BMW), a $1,000 travel voucher (AMA Travel) and a T2 tea hamper (MDA National). Q
Drs Brit Lindgren and Brenda Graham
Donna Jesberg, Dr David Luckensmeyer, Yvonne Simmonds
Elisabeth Henry and Annie Sendall
Professor Kerryn Phelps AM Dr Manu Nithianantha
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Dr Richard Kidd
People & EVENTS
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CURRENT ISSUES
state and Federal Budgets
with both state and federal budgets now announced, Policy Advisor Leif Bremermann gives us a snapshot of the wins and losses.
FEDERAL The Budget was seen as an attempt by the Abbott Government to reverse some of the criticism it had received during the 2014-15 Budget, which had tried to implement a number of controversial policies, most notably the $7 co-payment. This year’s Budget reversed many of the last Budget’s decisions, some of which had already been dumped and many of which had not passed the Australian Senate. In relation to health, this Budget announced a number of measures, some of which we support, others we do not. Of the latter, the AMA remains concerned that the four year freeze on Medicare rebate indexation has not been reversed. Public hospital funding through to 2017-18 is also a concern, with $305 million over four years from 2014-15 to 2017-18 (including additional funding of $118 million in 2014-15), and $423 million over the three years 2015-16 to 2017-18, compared to the funding estimates published in the last Budget update. The Government also announced; A review and reform of the Medicare Benefits Schedule, allocating $34.3 million over two years from 2015-16 to
continue the Medical Services Advisory Committee’s activities and deliver an expanded process of MBS Review overseen by a clinician led Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce
who identify children beyond two months overdue for their vaccinations and catch them up. This will be paid on top of the existing $6 payment GPs receive to deliver the vaccination.
Despite having committed itself to review MBS items through its newly formed MBS Review Taskforce, the Government has decided to move early and abolish the Healthy Kids Check. This represents a funding cut of $144.6m. GPs will now be expected to utilise the standard GP consultation items when undertaking these health assessments
Away from the GP sector, the Budget also showed the Federal Government plans to reduce public hospital funding by $305 million over four years from 2014-15 to 2017-18 (including additional funding of $118 million in 2014-15), and $423 million over the three years 2015-16 to 2017-18, compared to the funding estimates published in the last Budget update (MYEFO, December 2014).
$962.8m in savings that will be achieved through the ‘rationalisation’ of health programs – including health portfolio flexible funds. There is little detail of what programs will be targeted although the 16 flexible funds that currently exist cross a range of areas including substance abuse, practice incentives for general practice, outreach funds for rural health, health workforce, and funds for tackling chronic disease among Indigenous patients
The reductions are variable over the forward estimates and across different states and territories, with the biggest reductions applying in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
An additional $6 incentive payment made to GPs and other immunisation providers
The AMA will ensure that the voice of our members is heard loud and clear by the Federal Government as we continue to advise and consult with the Federal Government on its budget initiatives, particularly on the MBS indexation freeze. AMA Queensland and Doctor Q will keep you informed of our progress.
STATE The 2015-15 Queensland Budget was handed down by Treasurer Curtis Pitt on 14 July 2015. The Budget allocated $14.2 billion toward the health portfolio, which includes $633 million for ambulance services. This is an increase of $558 million over last year’s health spending. The Queensland Budget factors in $11.8 billion in Federal Health Funding Cuts over the forward estimates period. Queensland will receive $3.229 billion in National Health Reform funding in 2015-16. This figure will increase by 7.1% in 2017-18 and by 4.4% in 2018-19. The Queensland Government says this budget was all about implementing their election commitments. During the 2015 election, the Labor Party in Opposition promised to deliver extra nurses, an action plan on diabetes and a promise to take action on alcohol fuelled violence, to name but a few. AMA Queensland’s analysis of the Budget indicates that they have met their health-related election commitments, and on this front they should be commended. In the first part of our AMA Queensland Health Vision, we advocated for a whole-of-government
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
public health plan as the first step towards addressing some of the health issues facing our state, such as obesity and chronic disease. The Budget allocates $7.5 million towards the establishment of a state-wide Health Promotion Commission which will “provide strategic leadership for whole-of-government initiatives aimed at maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders by preventing and slowing the increase of chronic illness.”
Health Vision throughout the remainder of 2015, we will continue to press our case to the Government and advocate on behalf of our members. While we may not always agree on the best way forward, we will aim to work in a collaborative manner with the Government to ensure that our health system delivers for our members and their patients. Q
During the election, AMA Queensland also advocated for Queensland Health to radically improve its ICT and to end alcohol fuelled violence. This Budget delivers $3 million over two years for an overall $32.1 million commitment to deliver an Alcohol Fuelled Violence Program. There is also an allocation of $179 million to improve Queensland Health ICT infrastructure.
The AMA will ensure that the voice of our members is heard loud and clear by government as we continue to advise and consult on budget initiatives
AMA Queensland is pleased to see the Queensland Government is listening to us when it comes to improving our health system. There is more to be done, and as AMA Queensland releases the final sections of the
CURRENT ISSUES
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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Feature story
Meet your new President:
Dr Chris Zappala
Inaugurated in early June, Dr Chris Zappala has taken over the reins from Dr Shaun Rudd as AMA Queensland President. We sat down with Dr Zappala to find out more about the man who will be representing you for 2015-16. Dr Chris Zappala is a thoracic and sleep physician who works as a senior staff specialist at Royal Brisbane Hospital and in private practice at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane and St Stephen’s Hospital, Hervey Bay. He graduated from the University of Queensland in 1997 and went to work at (the old) Royal Brisbane Hospital. Dr Zappala undertook training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians – finishing his training at the Interstitial Lung Diseases Unit at the Brompton Hospital, London UK. He remained there as a research fellow after finishing specialist training, returning to Brisbane to found the interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension clinics at the now combined Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). These clinical areas have become his passion both in research and everyday clinical practice. Dr Zappala currently works part-time at RBWH and is actively involved in post-graduate and medical school education. He does periodic clinics in Hervey Bay and at Cotton Tree in Maroochydore and is an active participant of the multidisciplinary lung cancer meeting at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane. Together with a group of fellow thoracic physicians he is a director of Queensland’s largest respiratory laboratory testing company. Dr Zappala is a founding member of the Lung Foundation Australia’s Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis national registry. Work-life balance is an elusive goal at times, but Dr Zappala is a committed Brisbane Roar member (in the good times and the bad) though his playing days are long behind him. He occasionally frustrates himself by resurrecting his piano playing when he has time – but usually finds it more rewarding to hear the true professionals play. Listening to famous orchestras and musicians in renowned venues throughout the world is a favoured pastime when conference or holiday schedules allow.
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Feature story
As AMA Queensland’s new President, Dr Chris Zappala is particularly passionate about the Health Vision. “The Health Vision has been a positive step towards a more proactive and carefully considered process for health care planning in Queensland. What I particularly like about it is it doesn’t only set an objective for the next few months or even a year; it actually transcends multiple boards and governments to foster long-term, sustainable strategies. That’s exactly how healthcare planning should be. “If we can show a consistent, evidence-based message to successive health ministers and successive governments - I think that’s really powerful,” Dr Zappala said. Dr Zappala has been a member of AMA since he was a medical student. He has served previously on State and Federal Council and been chair of the Federal Council of Doctors-in-Training in 2004-05. He has been AMA Queensland Treasurer for several years over two separate appointments and also the Honorary Secretary. Dr Zappala has remained on the finance, risk and audit committee of AMA Queensland. He believes strongly in transparent, robust governance to underpin an association of members that is uniquely placed to represents all doctors and advocate for improved healthcare outcomes. “AMA Queensland is uniquely positioned to gather together the different perspectives and views of what is quite a heterogeneous profession to create a unified sense of what’s important and also how we, as a profession, can most positively and ably influence healthcare delivery and policy,” he said. “I used to think that the divisions within medicine were a weakness. I don’t think that any more, I realise that’s a strength. It always amazes me how a considered discussion among council can end up with a really formidable policy, initiative or viewpoint that you wouldn’t have necessarily guessed with your own limited perspective beforehand. I think the differing views, perspectives, social context and values that make up the medical profession are some of our most powerful strengths,” he said. “AMA is really the only organisation that can cohesively pull that together so that as a profession we can have an image and a view and a contribution on matters of healthcare policy. We are the only medical organisation that can transcend differences of work requirements, experience and discipline to truly represent the profession as a whole. This enable the truly astute to realise that the freeze in Medicare rebates and introduction of managed care by stealth on the part of health insurance funds are linked issues that affect us all, and not just certain disciplines or specialties. “One of the big things I’d really like to begin to achieve, that will be ongoing, is to help the AMA be truly unifying in representing all – to cast off discipline or sectional interest. We need to accept
our differences, use our different perspectives to reach an agreed conglomerate position and argue for a better position for all. The looming battles in regard to private health insurance, the Medicare rebate freeze and industrial conditions for salaried doctors are all good examples of where a unified profession will be crucial. “Many of the issues we tackle as an association don’t just affect one group – we’ve seen time and time again how a policy has then rolled out to affect the whole profession. Task substitution is a great example of this. “As cost effective models of healthcare delivery gain ascendency within government and health policy, we have to make very sure that the medical profession preserves it responsibilities, integrity and its position. We absolutely need to be out in front on how to improve health insurance products, their delivery and our self-regulation of costs together with doctor-centred models of care – otherwise unpleasant reforms will be forced upon us. The medical profession needs to be clear about the health outcome benefit or cost benefit of proposed changes, and be prepared to really challenge policy that sounds like it might be good in principle, but either subjugates doctors or removes them from their critical, central role in healthcare delivery.” Dr Zappala’s objectives go further than unifying the profession in order to ensure good health policy. Dr Zappala would like to see a far greater focus on multi-disciplinary care on some of Queensland’s biggest health problems. He supports the Vision’s quest to fight obesity with a team of professionals that address the problem from all areas, including psychological concerns. “Often people will have already tried and failed many times and you have to deal with the perception and discouragement that they’ve got from prior failures. Multi-disciplinary care should take in the wide-ranging comorbidities that an obese person suffers and offer holistic care” he said. Dr Zappala believes there are huge gains to be made from greater bi-directional communication between doctors and public hospitals and community programs. “Better communication could genuinely make a big difference to the health care system with relatively small input,” he said. “A GP penetrating the system often finds it difficult to find out more about a patient and vice versa. It’s another example of acknowledging that it’s a whole team of people caring for a patient. “We need to appropriately fund and resource the administrative departments within hospitals and community care clinics so that there is the expertise and capacity to ensure that bi-directional communication links are open,” he said. Q
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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CURRENT ISSUES
A Day in the Life of a medical researcher
Dr Malcolm Forbes is the new Chair of our Council of Doctors in Training and a medical researcher at Rockhampton Base Hospital. Dr Forbes also is a driving force behind the Resilience on the Run pilot. We have a look at his schedule. Today, I started the day around 6.30am, listening to the news on the radio and checking what’s going on in the world on Twitter. I then headed out to my office at University around 8am and got started on my work for the day - which was to finish a book chapter I’m writing and a research paper that I’ve been working on over the past fortnight. At this stage of my life, I don’t have a family of my own, so I’m afforded the opportunity to dedicate a large amount of my time to work. In terms of work, I work part-time in medical research and part-time in clinical work. I currently sit on a few boards and committees, each which brings new responsibilities and takes time out of the day. However, working in medical research offers greater flexibility than full time clinical work, so I don’t have much trouble making various meetings. Being based in north Queensland, I find myself videoconferencing and teleconferencing quite a bit which is not always ideal. I use technology to keep me organised, with reminders and calendar alerts on my iPhone. Each week I write a list of tasks I need to complete by the end of the week. Over time, I’ve become more realistic about what can be achieved in a week. I have found that a large period of my time is wasted checking e-mails, so I now only check e-mails once per day and address them as quickly as possible. I attended a brief research meeting and left for home around 4.30pm. In the afternoon, I went to the gym, studied French (I’m heading over for a brief study trip at Sciences Po [a University in Paris] next month) and made dinner. I then attended a St John Ambulance training meeting, where I work as a volunteer medical officer, and then called in for a Doctors for the Environment Australia teleconference, an organisation that I sit on the National Management Committee for. I then watched Lateline while I played guitar. I called my girlfriend before reading the book I’m currently reading (Mount Misery by Samuel Shem) and heading to bed. No major challenges, no major triumphs - just getting on with things. I managed to finish everything I set out to do. On the days I don’t finish a task I’ve set out to do, I simply add it to the list of things I need to do the next day. That way I keep track of where my work is up to. I’d like to see more junior doctors engage seriously in medical research. We need more clinical academics - doctors who are involved in research. At present, a large portion of medical research is undertaken by scientists without medical degrees. It’s important we have doctors engaging in research as these doctors work on the front-line, they know what the clinically important questions are and they can appreciate whether solutions will work in real-world settings. Additionally, doctors engaged in research may be better equipped to appraise other medical research, which is obviously important to foster translation of research findings into clinical practice. I was able to get to the gym, play guitar and call my girlfriend. While I can’t speak for others working in medical research, I find it provides much more free time than full time clinical work. I have great admiration for my colleagues who work full time while undertaking research and advocacy work. Next year, I’m planning to transition back to full time work and training, while continuing with medical representation and working on research in a lesser capacity. Q
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
CURRENT ISSUES
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DoctorQ July / August 2015
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Feature story
AMA Queensland 2015-2016
councillors
RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING QUESTIONS AND MATTERS OF POLICY FOR THE ASSOCIATION, MAKING BY-LAWS ABOUT ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS (INCLUDING HANDLING COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE PROFESSION), AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ABOUT REPRESENTING THE ASSOCIATION ON ALL MATTERs OF POLICY WITH GOVERNMENT OR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, THE AMA QUEENSLAND COUNCILLORS FOR 2014 - 2015 ARE:
Councillor
board member
board member
Councillor
board chair
Dr Chris Zappala
Dr Bill Boyd
Dr Shaun Rudd
MD MHM MBBS(Hons) AMusA GCAE GAICD FRACP
MBChB (Dundee) FRACOG FRANZCOG GAICD
MBBCH BAO (Belfast)
President
Vice President
Immediate Past President
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Specialty: General Practice
Born in Scotland and with a medical degree from Dundee University, Dr Boyd came to Australia in 1982, before working in General Practice in Weipa. He completed obstetric training in Adelaide and moved to Mackay in 1986, initially to work at Mackay Base Hospital. In 1989, Dr Boyd entered private practice, based at the Mater Misericordiae hospital in Mackay and has provided outreach services to the Mackay hinterland for the past 30 years. Dr Boyd ceased delivering babies in 2004 and now offers a full-time Gynaecology service. He has just served a second year as AMA Queensland Chair and has recently completed a Company Directors course run by the Australian institute of Company Directors.
Dr Rudd has been practising as a GP for 28 years and is currently based in Hervey Bay. He enjoys all areas of General Practice and has been a representative on AMA Queensland Branch Council for the past nine years. He has also served as the AMA Queensland Honorary Secretary from 20072008; Chair of the AMA Queensland International Medical Graduates Committee and Chair of the General Practice Liaison Officer State Committee.
Specialty: Thoracic and Sleep Medicine Dr Chris Zappala achieved his MBBS at the University of Queensland and underwent his advanced training at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Dr Zappala worked for two years in London at the Royal Brompton Hospital where he began his interest and research in interstitial lung disease and secondary pulmonary hypertension. His research interests include examining how change in serial pulmonary function and chest imaging describe disease behaviour and predict survival in interstitial lung disease. Dr Zappala is a Physician Partner at Genesis Care and consults in both public and private practice in Brisbane, Maroochydore and Hervey Bay. “I’m interested in emphasising the central importance of members to our organisation and I want AMA Queensland to be a pro-active and positive participant in healthcare reform. The fundamental purpose of AMA is to restore faith whenever it is required, and through broad representation, be able to respond to industry and professional threats and opportunities in an intelligent and evolving manner to best meet our collective objectives. Key to this is a critical requirement to always find unity and strength from our diversity.”
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Councillor
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
“It is my intention as Vice President to assist our new President, Dr Chris Zappala, in the performance of his duties. I will support and uphold AMA Queensland, its standards and activities and will work on behalf of the Members towards achieving the goals of the Association.”
“To represent and serve the members of our association, to continue to build a strong membership and financial base that provides us with a powerful lobbying platform.”
Feature story
Councillor
Dr Tom Arthur
Dr Sarah Coll
BSc MBBS GradDipAppAnat
MBBS FRACS FAOA
Greater Brisbane Area Representative
Specialist Craft Group representative
Specialty: Surgery
Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery
“I’m a firm believer in the importance of the AMA to the medical profession, and to the health system as a whole. It is an organisation that can, and does, initiate change for the better. My role within the Council is to promote the interests of practitioners in my region, so that they can have a voice in the decisions that affect our profession and our patients. As a trainee, I have a particular interest in the education and training of doctors, and will advocate strongly to ensure doctors in training have adequate educational and employment opportunities.”
“I am keen to represent regional doctors, and those who work too hard to represent themselves. I would like to see doctors advocating for their own quality of life, and setting an example of healthy living. I am interested in the role doctors have to play in advocating for change in nutrition and activity practices across the community.” Councillor
Dr Dilip Dhupelia LRCPS (Ire) Dip Obst ACOG FRACGP FARGP AFRACMA FAICD
Dr Sharmila Biswas
Part Time Medical Practitioner Craft Group representative
MBChB DCH Far North Area Representative
Specialty: General Practice
Specialty: General Practice “My intention as a Branch Councillor is to support and maintain the integrity of the profession, maintain standards and advocate for the delivery of services to patients using best practice in all areas. My primary interest is to raise the profile of the regions.” Councillor
Councillor
board member
board member
“Having had extensive medical experience in both the public and private sectors, as well as within the Federal and State Government sectors, I feel I have a good grasp of health improvement strategies within the national health reform environment in areas such as integration of primary and secondary services and ensuring holistic care within a seamless patient journey. As an AMA Queensland Councillor and Board Director, I look forward to working within a wide ranging team and hope to add value to the fine work already being performed in representation, leadership and advocacy.”
Dr Kimberley Bondeson BSc (Hons) MBBS FRACGP DAME
Councillor
Greater Brisbane Area Representative
Dr Jim Finn
Specialty: General Practice, Aviation Medicine
DipT BEd MBBS FRACGP FACRRM Full Time Salaried Medical Practitioner Craft Group
“To represent the views and voices of the doctors in the Greater Brisbane Area. This includes both public and private doctors, specialist and general practitioners, and doctors in training. To ensure that concerns of our patients and the public are listened carefully to, and to advocate for those who do not have a voice. We are proud to have set up ongoing dialogue between politicians, AMA Queensland and our local doctors.”
Specialty: Addiction medicine
Councillor
Dr Lisa Byrom Bphty MBBS Greater Brisbane Area Representative Specialty: Dermatology Registrar “I understand the importance of advocacy for both patients and our profession. As the AMA Queensland Councillor for the Greater Brisbane Area, I will continue to advocate for doctors’ working conditions and rights, provide support for their professional development and career progression, and I continue to share my passion and enthusiasm for medicine.”
“Since its conjoint agreement with AMA Queensland, I have seen ASMOFQ grow in both membership numbers and efficacy and I believe the continued conjoint agreement between AMA Queensland and ASMOFQ is essential to support the profession in Queensland. In these times of fiscal austerity an AMA Queensland Council which continues its support for government funding of medical services at historical levels of service growth is vital. AMA Queensland’s continued excellent advocacy in the field of preventative health is even more essential in these financially restricted times. I am excited to be part of such a forward looking, innovative, evidence-based organisation and look forward to further initiatives which support cohesion in the profession.”
Councillor
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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Feature story
Councillor
Councillor
Dr Malcolm Forbes
Dr Wayne Herdy
MBBS
MBBS BA (Hons) LlB LlM FACLM
Doctors in Training Representative
North Coast Area Representative
Specialty: Internal Medicine
Specialty: General Practice
“The AMA is indefatigable in its advocacy for the health of the community. My role on the Council is to represent doctors in training. I am interested in ensuring Queensland provides the best training pathways in the world, promoting preventive public health measures in medical education and medical practice, and working on innovative solutions to address workforce shortages in Australia.”
“I aim to represent the views of my constituents to Council; to promote patient safety especially by diminishing role substitution and developing task delegation; and to assure the future of young graduates by promoting best education and best career prospects.” Councillor
Dr Sharon Kelly
Dr Brad Horsburgh
MBBS (Hons) FRACS
MBBS FRANZCO FRACS
Specialist Craft Group Representative
Greater Brisbane Area
Specialty: ENT Surgery
Specialty: Ophthalmology
“As a specialist practicing in both public and private sectors, I am well placed to advocate for a wide variety of specialists, particularly visiting medical officers, without whom public hospitals could not run. On behalf of AMA Queensland I will continue to advocate for these doctors and the vital services they provide for patients.
“As a VMO ophthalmologist at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, I have experienced firsthand, the fact that there has been no material increase in public ophthalmology services at the Royal Brisbane in 25 years. The same story is true along Queensland’s entire eastern seaboard. There are no public ophthalmology services between Townsville and Nambour. I want to see our Association encourage the Health and Hospital Services throughout the state to assist and support enthusiastic young consultants who wish to work in the public hospital system to do so.”
I am also acutely aware of the increasing difficulty experienced by our new graduates in securing training positions in their chosen fields. Training position numbers in all specialties, including general practice, have not kept pace with the upsurge in medical student numbers. AMA Queensland will continue to advocate for better matching of student and trainee numbers.”
Councillor
Professor Steve Kisely MD PhD FRANZCP FRCPsych FFPH FAFPHM FAChAM
Dr Richard Kidd
Greater Brisbane Area Representative
BHB MBChB Dip Obs
Specialty: Psychiatry, public health and addiction medicine
General Practitioner Craft Group Specialty: General Practice “I intend to work for doctors to be free and safe to practice and teach medicine to the highest standards and thereby promote patient and community good health.” Councillor
Councillor
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board member
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
“The AMA needs urgent reform to refocus on defending doctors, promoting health and fully reflecting the diversity of our profession. The priority should be advocacy and equity for all members irrespective of gender, age, career stage, practice location and country of graduation. Importantly, office-bearers must remain independent of party politics and pursue the interests of physicians and patients irrespective of the government in power.”
Feature story Dr Luke Lawton
Dr Kirsten Price
BAppSc MBBS (Hons) MPH FACEM
MBBS MBA FRACGP GAICD
North Queensland Area Representative
Greater Brisbane Area
Specialty: Emergency Medicine
Councillor
“With current external pressures on medical practice, I believe it is more important than ever to engage our profession in the formulation of healthcare policy, particularly for regional areas. I believe AMA Queensland needs to take a stronger lead in advocating for state based health issues, particularly those which affect our current and future work force in Queensland’s public hospitals. I also believe AMA Queensland needs to find new ways to reach out and engage with its membership base to ensure it formulates robust and contemporary policy in these areas. With this in mind I hope to be an active voice for all our colleagues in North Queensland, and encourage our members to contact me at any time with their concerns.”
Specialty: Breast Physician, General Practice “The AMA has a powerful voice, and we must ensure that we work constructively toward outcomes are real and useful. I am pleased to do my part to achieve the best possible healthcare for Queenslanders, including assuring sustainable high quality training for our junior colleagues.” Councillor
board member
Dr Anil Sharma MD MS (Ophthal) FRANZCO International Medical Graduate Representative Specialty: Ophthalmologist “l aim to undertake more educational activities and address health issues of the public in the Capricorn Region, thus promoting the AMA in Rockhampton and the Capricornia.”
Dr Bavahuna Manoharan MBBS BSc Gold Coast Area Representative Specialty: Surgical registrar
Councillor
board member
“As a training doctor and a representative for the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions, which represents a significant proportion of Doctors in Training in Queensland, I will focus on representing my colleagues at both the CDT and Branch Council level. We need to work to improve the quality of and fair access to training and education in both the prevocational and vocational arenas, including ensuring training is affordable to trainee doctors and working conditions and awards are protected and enforced. As an organisation, we need to prioritise our engagement with our membership and deliver value to them. I look forward to assisting all Executive, Branch Councillors and members of the profession who ask for my counsel.”
Dr Paul Neeskens
Councillor
Dr Josie Sundin MBBS FRANZCP FFFP Fellow Faculty of Forensic Psychiatrists Greater Brisbane Area Representative Specialty: Psychiatry “I have a long standing interest in medical ethics and the interface between medicine and the law. I have a keen interest in fostering good relationships and mutual knowledge between these two professions. I hope to help in the areas of natural justice, advocacy and education.” Councillor
MBBS MClinEpi GAICD General Practitioner Craft Group representative Specialty: General Practice
Councillor
“I hope to bring to Council insights from 28 years of General Practice in a regional community , my study of Epidemiology and 20 years of involvement with Divisions of GP/ Medicare Locals. It is a critical time for the AMA to bring together the wide array of medical practitioners: public, private, generalist, specialist, students, doctors in training, academics , full time, part time and retired. More specifically, I feel it imperative not to undervalue the doctor-patient relationship, and resist the increasing phenomenon of recipe based health care, focussed more on diseases and protocols rather than the patient.”
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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CURRENT ISSUES
Creating a healthy practice for staff
Following on from Four Corners’ report on sexual harassment and bullying earlier this year, many of our members had questions about how to create a workplace that has protocols and supports in place to ensure your staff feel safe, respected and comfortable to report any infringements.
Dear Ethical Agony Aunt, I’m a principal of a large medical practice, with 20 doctors and 15 support staff, in Brisbane’s north. Following the Four Corners program - At their mercy, on sexual harassment and bullying in the medical profession, I’m concerned about the issue within my practice as we have a significant range of staff at my clinic. What steps can I put in place to satisfy my legal and moral obligations to my staff members to ensure we have a healthy practice? Dr Boss-Good Dear Dr Boss-Good Thank you for your question Dr Boss-Good. We at AMA Queensland have also been concerned by the issues raised in the Four Corners report and have extensively surveyed our junior members to gauge the extent of the issue. We commend you for taking the time to look at your organisation to determine whether you have the appropriate supports in place. At the outset, you have a legal obligation to establish a workplace that is free of sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination. You can be held liable for a failure to do so unless you can establish that the practice has appropriate policies, procedures and supports in regards to that conduct. The first step is to ensure your practice has appropriate policies and procedures in relation to sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination. These policies should clearly set out what kind of behaviour constitutes these activities, what actions can be taken in the event they occur, and the procedures that should be undertaken in reporting such conduct. These policies should be easy to understand, accessible to staff at all times, and form part of the staff induction process. However, there’s a gap between having a policy and procedure sitting in a folder and it being part of your organisation’s culture. Think of it like driving. You can read the road rules but, by themselves, they won’t teach you how to be a safe driver. These rules need to be practiced regularly before you can be confident that you’re safe. Education can help you perform the same function with your policies and procedures
The first step is to ensure that your practice has appropriate policies and procedures in relation to sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination. by allowing your staff to test drive the policies and procedures in a safe and non-confrontational environment. It may be worth it to go beyond your legal obligations and make a genuine effort to provide a healthy practice for your staff. A PWC Report, Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Return on investment analysis, found every dollar invested in employee mental health, through initiatives such as worksite physical activity programs and resilience training, returned two and a half dollars in associated benefits. You could use this moment of reflection as an opportunity to strengthen your employee benefits and programs to attract, retain and ensure your staff are happy and healthy. AMA Queensland can help your practice with establishing robust policies and procedures, education sessions, and creating a better organisational culture. I hope this helps you and to ensure that your practice remains healthy into the future All the best, Agony Aunt Q
do you have an ethical issue? 26
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
The experts from our Ethics and Medico-Legal Committee answer your ethical dilemmas. Send your ethical dilemma to policy@amaq.com.au.
CURRENT ISSUES
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane at Kangaroo Point specialises in medical care for those with chronic, complex and multiple health needs. We offer services for adolescents to the elderly. General medical
Palliative care
• Acute and chronic disease management
• 24-hour Community Specialist Palliative Care Service
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• Neurosciences for adolescents and adults (epilepsy, post-stroke care, movement disorders, acquired brain injuries, sleep disorders)
• Adolescent palliative care
• New physiotherapy and occupational therapy complex At St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane we have modern, spacious and comfortable patient rooms – most are private rooms with adjoining ensuites. Radiology, pathology, pharmacy, EEG and sleep studies are also available onsite.
Spring Hill
iver ne R Brisba
Bradfield Hyw
Brisbane CBD
New Farm
c cifi Pa
Kangaroo Point
Av e
Shafsto n
Vulture St
Ipswich Rd
ay orw Mot
Highgate Hill
Main St
nk ba uth So
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane
Vulture St
N
Fortitude Valley
Story Bridge
Riv er T ce
• RECHARGE for life – adult pain management program (over 21 years)
• Multidisciplinary approach
Rd
• LEAP into life – adolescent pain management program (14 to 21 years)
• Full functional assessments and tailored programs for adolescents and adults
ley
• Brisbane Centre for Pain Management – specialist assessment and consultation, medication and prescription advice, surgical procedures
Rehabilitation
Ann er
Pain management
• Patient and Family Support Service
East Brisbane
Stanley St
Woolloongabba
To find out more about our services, please contact us: 411 Main Street, Kangaroo Point Qld 4169 Phone: 07 3240 1111 Email: info@stvincentsbrisbane.org.au
www.svphb.org.au DoctorQ July / August 2015
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CURRENT ISSUES
Doctors Health at the forefront
Being a doctor should be the best job in the world. However, as has been put into sharp focus recently, there are significant deficiencies in the health of the medical profession. Policy Officer James Hodge outlines some of the steps the medical profession has taken to address these deficiencies.
The landmark beyondblue report, the National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students, comprised 42,942 doctors and 6,658 medical students. Its findings were, at the very least, concerning, and should act as a clarion call to the entire profession. It found that doctors reported substantially higher rates of psychological distress and attempted suicide compared to both the Australian population and other Australian professionals. To its credit, the medical profession has responded to improve the health of the profession. The Australian Medical Students Association has been active in their advocacy, universities have started to meaningfully integrate resilience into their curriculums, and the Medical Defence Organisations have started to engage with their members on the importance of healthy practice. The Doctors’ Health Advisory Service (QLD) has been doing a phenomenal job in providing free, confidential counselling from fellow practitioners. The Medical Board of Australia, in responding to these challenges, has entered into partnership with the AMA to invest considerable funds in uniform, high quality,
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
doctors’ health services. These resources should assist the pre-existing doctors’ health services in delivering timely support to members of the profession. Part II of AMA Queensland’s Health Vision outlines our objective for the health of the profession in 2020. Our vision is that, at this point, the rate of psychological distress and specific mental health diagnoses reported by doctors should be at the rate of the general population. AMA Queensland has put the issue of doctors’ health front and centre in our advocacy as a moral imperative to the profession. We will seek to use our voice and energy to support policies that improve the health of doctors, and condemn those which worsen it. AMA Queensland, with the support of the AMA Queensland Foundation, is piloting the Resilience on the Run program for 2015 interns at Rockhampton Hospital. The program consists of four workshops on topics developed in consultation with members, such as managing difficult interpersonal relationships, managing difficult scenarios on the job, resilience and mindfulness, and practical steps in how to ask for help/seek
These resources should assist the pre-existing doctors’ health services in delivering timely support to members of the profession.
assistance. The objective of the pilot is to trial the impact of this intervention and whether it can make a meaningful difference in the health of some of our most vulnerable members. AMA Queensland has also been hard at work developing a doctors’ health clearinghouse, that will collate information about support services and practical resources for the profession. This portal will be launching shortly and we invite you to keep your eyes open for it. Q
CURRENT ISSUES
Phone 07 3834 4285
www.standrewspainservice.com.au
The St Andrew’s Multidisciplinary Pain Service (StAMPS) is an integrated multidisciplinary service designed to offer patients a “one stop shop” from diagnosis to comprehensive treatment and management of persistent pain. StAMPS brings together a team of experts in the field of pain medicine, dependency, psychology, rehabilitation medicine, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
Dr. Jason Ray
MBBS (Qld), FANZCA , FFPMANZCA
Dr. Richard Pendleton Dr. Wilbur K.M. Chan MBChB, FANZCA, FFPMANZCA
MBBS, FRACGP, FAFRM, FFPMANZCA
Dr. Jayne Berryman
BSc, MBBS (Qld), FANZCA, FFPMANZCA
Dr. Christian A.C. Rowan
MBBS (Qld), MDiplTrade (Mon), FRACGP, FARGP, FACRRM, FRACMA, FAChAM (RACP)
StAMPS provides:
How to refer to StAMPS
• Individual assessments by leading pain specialists
Medical Practitioners can refer to one of the individual StAMPS specialists or directly to StAMPS.
• Interventional pain treatments by StAMPS specialists
There are four options for referring:
• Individualised physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy assessment & treatment
1. Refer online at www.standrewspainservice.com.au
• Persistent Pain Program - an intensive 4 week program, 3 days a week on an outpatient basis
3. Refer by email to enquiries@standrewspainservice.com.au
• Specialised inpatient treatment at the St Andrew’s Pain & Dependency Unit
StAMPS Consulting Suites Level 4, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital Spring Hill Q 4001
2. Refer by fax to 07 3834 4291 4. Post referral to StAMPS St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital 457 Wickham Tce Spring Hill Q 4001
P 07 3834 4285 F 07 3834 4291 E enquiries@standrewspainservice.com.au W www.standrewspainservice.com.au
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CURRENT ISSUES
The Office of the Health Ombudsman first anniversary
This month the Office of the Health Ombudsman celebrates its first anniversary. Doctor Q will take the opportunity to look back at the year that has been and whether our fears and concerns were met by this fledgling statutory authority. The Queensland Government, on 20 August 2013, passed laws that replaced the Health Quality and Complaints Commission with the Office of the Health Ombudsman. The Health Ombudsman’s key functions were relatively straightforward, namely: Receive health service complaints and take action to deal with them under the Act; Investigate and report on systematic health service issues; and Provide information to the public and health service providers about minimising and resolving complaints. AMA Queensland had strong doubts that the Health Ombudsman Act, as passed, would deliver on the Government’s expectations. We also stridently opposed parts of the legislation from the onset. These criticisms were largely grouped around three areas: Clinical input: AMA Queensland felt that the provision that enabled, but not required, the Health Ombudsman to establish committees and panels to engage clinicians was inadequate to provide the expertise required in these investigations; Independence: AMA Queensland was concerned that, despite independence provisions within the legislation, that there would be an inherent conflict in the health ombudsman reporting to the Health Minister in investigations of public health facilities in this economic climate; and Transparency: AMA Queensland was concerned that the provisions that allowed the Health Minister to request information, and reports, from the Ombudsman were not suitably transparent. The government appointed Mr Leon Atkinson-MacEwen as the first Queensland Health Ombudsman, despite the announcement being pre-empted by the Tasmanian Premier. The Health Quality and Complaints Commission ceased operations on June 30 2014 when the Office of the Health Ombudsman bloomed to life on July 1 2014.
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Year in Review: The Good: While AMA Queensland has expressed concerns about the structure and design of the Health Ombudsman it does perform an important function. The public needs to be assured that health complaints will be dealt with appropriately and thoroughly. At the same time, medical practitioners are entitled to natural justice, both in the handling of the investigation, and timely investigations so that it does not hang over their head for an extended period of time. As a result, the provisions in the act that require timely investigations are good for both patients and doctors. 1 The Bad: The Health Ombudsman has received an incredible volume of complaints and inquiries from the public. In the 3rd Quarter of 2014-15 there were 1,126 complaints, 1,119 enquiries, and 26 contacts that were yet to be classified.2 Within the 3rd Quarter, 63.92% of complaint assessment, let alone investigations, took longer than 60 days to complete. In March, for example, the Ombudsman completed 158 assessments contrasted against 333 complaints (256 accepted). 3 AMA Queensland retains concerns that the Ombudsman is not appropriately resourced to handle this volume of work within the statutory timeframes and ensuring that natural justice is afforded to patient and doctor. The Ugly: The Queensland Supreme Court, in Moosawi v Massey, 4 recently handed down a decision that questioned and overturned the ability of the Ombudsman to compel practitioners to attend before investigators and answer questions. Justice Dalton, in a considered and scathing judgement, remarked, in relation to the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (Qld): “The Act is poorly drafted. It eschews the use of ordinary English words and instead defines terms which are so bland that they have no precise meaning. The cumulative effect is to render the provisions of the Act incomprehensible without the mental gymnastics required to look up, and
then remember, the various definitions so that, upon returning to the section of interest, one can translate it” 5 This judgement suggests that the Office of the Health Ombudsman has a long way to go before it provides the comprehensive legal framework for the management of health complaints that the Queensland Government had envisaged. Conclusion: AMA Queensland retains its concerns over the Office of the Health Ombudsman. Despite good intentions there remain considerable concerns that must be surmounted before its place in the regulatory landscape is certain. With the Council of Australian Governments Health Council currently discussing the results of the Snowball Review into the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme expect further changes in the space. AMA Queensland will continue to advocate on our members’ behalf so that the disciplinary regime for medical practitioners is fair and just. If you are contacted by the OHO, for any matter, we would advise that you immediately contact your MDO for advice. Q 1. Health Ombudsman Act 2013 (Qld) s 15 2. h t t p : / / w w w. o h o . q l d . g o v. a u / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2015/04/OHO-quarterly-performancereport-Q3-2014-15.pdf 3. h t t p : / / w w w. o h o . q l d . g o v. a u / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2015/04/OHO-quarterly-performancereport-Q3-2014-15.pdf 4. [2015] QSC 169 5. Moosawi v Massey [2015] QSC 169 at [26]
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DoctorQ July / August 2015
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health vision
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
health vision
AMA Queensland’s Health Vision: Workforce and Training
AMA Queensland is pleased to launch Part Two of its Health Vision, the second of five documents that will guide the organisation’s advocacy and policy efforts over the next five years.
This part of Health Vision examines the workforce and training challenges facing Queensland’s medical workforce as we head towards 2020. This is an area of vital importance to Queensland and AMA members. They know better than most that, without a well-trained and motivated health workforce, public hospitals will struggle to deliver the level of services that Queenslanders expect and deserve. Queenslanders want access to the health care they need, close to their homes, from highly skilled health practitioners. For this to happen, it is vital for Queensland to have a dynamic, efficient and sustainable health workforce. We want Queensland to be a leader in planning its workforce needs and utilising new ways of training doctors, building support networks and engaging clinician leadership. To achieve this vision, AMA Queensland wants to see action at every level of the training pathway, from internship through to retirement, to ensure that Queensland trains, recruits and retains the best doctors in Australia. AMA Queensland’s Health Vision advocates for a culture in Queensland which encourages robust debate, expert engagement, best-practice innovation and a culture of compassion towards fellow health professionals and patients. We believe this can be done by implementing the following initiatives:
Dr Chris Zappala AMA Queensland President AMA Queensland President Dr Chris Zappala had this to say about the launch of the Workforce and Training chapter of the Health Vision. We were all junior doctors once – some would say they were the best years of our lives! I’m sure we all have tales of long days with interminable on-call shifts, or of colleagues that inspired us with research or specialty pursuits that shaped our careers. We can all agree that these formative years are crucial in the development of our values and ethic as we each establish our credentials as doctors. Our duty, as members of this great profession and organisation, must be to ensure that the
Establish a new medical workforce training body. By 2020, Queensland will have devolved workforce development responsibilities away from its regional Hospital and Health Services (HHS) and established a leading statutory body named the Queensland Medical Education and Training Institute (QMETI) which will be responsible for the development and execution of innovative workforce strategies. The core functions of QMETI would include: Design, commission, conduct, coordinate and evaluate education and training for patient care Take the lead in Queensland Health for the design, commissioning, conduct, coordination and evaluation of leadership development among clinicians Support reforms to improve workforce capacity and the quality of clinical training Develop, coordinate, oversee and evaluate education and training programs to ensure they support service delivery needs and meet health sector requirements Take responsibility to develop, coordinate, oversee and evaluate programs that help improve the culture of Queensland Health.
Improving the health of doctors. AMA Queensland believes improving the health of doctors is of utmost importance if the state is to ensure it has a healthy, energised and engaged medical workforce. This can be done by: Ensuring doctors can safely seek medical treatment without fear of mandatory reporting Implementing a range of workbased programs that help improve the health of doctors Ensuring AMA members have appropriate support and representation if they experience harassment, bullying or sexual harassment Ensuring organisations uphold and execute robust policies and procedures in relation to harassment, bullying and sexual harassmenxt. AMA Queensland’s Health Vision draws upon the experience of its members and available best-practice research in developing its targets. You can access a copy of Part II of the AMA Queensland Health Vision at www.amaq.com.au.
next generation get the same opportunities and inspiration to enliven and augment our profession in future years, forever striving to offer superior and empathic patient care.
are problems, AMA Queensland is sanguine about the prospects of improving this situation through our concerted advocacy on behalf of our members.
Despite the best efforts of executives, clinicians and support staff, there is little doubt that pre-vocational medical education in Queensland was impacted in the move to hospital and health services. Instead of centralised and co-ordinated learning programs and pathways, each region now offers their own version of fragmented training mixed with eclipsing and sometimes enervating, demands of service provision. While there are enviable pockets of excellence, there are other areas where doctors are being diminished in relation to broader hospital and health service objectives that occasionally have spurious healthcare outcomes. While there
CDT Chair Dr Tom Arthur and I were pleased to launch Part II of the AMA Queensland Health Vision at our recent Junior Doctor Conference. We’ve consulted extensively with our members, both young and old, to determine a strategy we believe will substantially improve the quality of medical education in Queensland. The measures outlined below will put Queensland at the forefront of medical education and allow Queenslanders to have an empowered and eminent medical workforce they reasonably expect. I strongly commend Health Vision Part II to every member and urge you to read, digest and promulgate our vision for the medical workforce of tomorrow. Q
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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CURRENT ISSUES
Speaker update: Professor Ken O’Byrne
Doctor Q had the chance to catch up with Junior Doctor Conference speaker Professor Ken O’Byrne for an insight into his research career.
I would welcome young people wanting to find answers for the future health benefits of the world.
Professor Ken O’Byrne could be considered a rock star of medical research. The dynamic medical researcher just loves what he does and his enthusiasm for finding the next medical breakthrough is contagious. But he desperately wants young doctors to consider clinical research as a career. “Once you understand research you will become totally engrossed,” he promises. “Medicine is sometimes considered a profession, but researching is certainly a vocation – and one that is so rewarding. It is a logical progression to find the answers that make a difference to patient care.” The professor relishes his life as a research scientist based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. “It is a wonderful thing to work as a clinical scientist who not only asks the questions and pushes the boundaries but still remains intimately involved with patients and their families. Translating medicine from the bed to the bench for the better and then importantly taking what you learn back to the patient, improving their health, is the ultimate achievement of medical research.” As a newly qualified doctor in Ireland, O’Byrne didn’t really know what path he wanted to take. “I knew I wanted to work in general medicine as a physician, but I wasn’t really sure which area I wanted to be involved in for the rest of my career.” Then came the defining moment that forged his future in medical research. “My Professor in endocrinology was conducting research on diabetes and neuroendocrine tumours and asked me to do a literature review around a new radiolabelled imaging peptide called octreotide, a derivative of the hormone somatostatin. The outcome was that I had an epiphany. I found an article that showed that these peptides could slow lung cancer growth and realised that there were different ways to tackle cancer. I thought that was amazing and from then on I was hooked on translational research. This is for me, I decided, and I wanted to investigate and research for the rest of my life.” A quarter of a century later Professor O’Byrne moved to Brisbane and is now a senior clinician with Queensland Health and one of Australia’s leading clinical researchers. “In the past I did everything myself, from experiments, trials, seeking funding and networking. Today I am more likely to co-ordinate teams of
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researchers. But more than anything I would love to see more young doctors become involved.” O’Byrne says that the world’s most important advances have come through research, with the greatest single change being the knowledge that clean water increased the quality of public health whilst vaccinations could prevent diseases in individuals. Because people now live longer, new health challenges such as cancer have emerged over time. Professor O’Byrne realises that research is a calling and that young people must want to do it. He encourages those who may have an interest to find an enthusiastic mentor. It is surprising, if not a little disappointing, that young fledgling researchers aren’t knocking down his door. “I would welcome young people wanting to find answers for the future health benefits of the world.” He hopes the legacy of his own career as a medical researcher is that he can mentor others to be curious and explore medicine’s most challenging questions. He would like to think he has improved patient care and that he has made a difference. “But I would really love to be the designer of a drug that will shrink a tumour,” he says humbly, adding with a wry smile, “like Professor Ian Frazer whose Gardasil vaccine is considered one of the five most important cancer breakthroughs in the past 50 years.” Looking towards the research future, O’Byrne sees aging as the next big challenge for researchers – especially in mental health and in bone strength. “The great question is not whether we can reverse aging, but how we do it. That is the challenge for tomorrow’s generation of investigators.” Meanwhile Professor O’Byrne dashes back to his team of researchers, inspiring them to interrogate the big questions, test and tease them and find answers- whatever they are. As the research dynamo leaves, he throws out his final challenge: “Without research there will be no advances.” Q
CURRENT ISSUES
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DoctorQ July / August 2015
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MEMBER NEWS
Congratulations to the following doctors who are now elected members of AMA Queensland. April 2015
March 2015
doctors in training
doctors in training
Dr John Bilenki Dr Ben Chandler Dr Rebecca Fuller Dr Ashton Reeve Dr Joshua Stephenson Dr Shamila Palipana Dr Jannie Geertsema Dr Ryan O’Dempsey Dr Vidya Shirumalla Dr Jonathan Tey Dr Daniel Gaffney Dr Anuj Gupta Dr Dominic Krepski
Dr Nicole Lehmann Dr Gursimran Kaur Dr Veeranjit Singh Dr Chiedza Chimbare Dr Stuart Bailey Dr Maria Vartanyan Dr Stefanie Tran Dr Kendra Hopper Dr Mostafa Vahabi Dr Courtney Ashford Dr Sally Street Dr Kathleen Shaw Dr Yen-Yu Chen Dr Geeth Weerasooriya Dr Kiran Sheikh Dr Hatem Elfieshawy
General Practitioners Dr Simon Hong Dr Chandra Rayi Dr Bhaskar Siraparapu Dr Riaan Jeffery Dr Linda Williams Dr Indika Kaduruwane Dr Jeanne Carpenter Dr Harry Valdez
specialists Dr Sean Mulhearn Dr Rachel Thomson Dr Natalie Kiel Dr Tau Boga
part-time Practitioners Dr Loretta Deuble Dr Azmeeri Noor Dr Nabeel Sheikh
SALARIED A/Prof Satyajit Jayasinghe Dr Alice Chang Dr Jie Dong Jiang Dr Jason McDarra Dr Uzodinma Dibia Dr Jeffery Hunt
General Practitioners Dr Janaka Sudheera Edirisinghe Dr Sonya Stemper Dr Kannan Natarajan Dr Peter Hawes Dr Edi Sottile Dr Melita Cullen Dr Michael Chen Dr Eduardo Rodriguez Dr Mehdi Rafiei Samani Dr Takavada Mapfumo
specialists Dr Heydon Kufakwame Dr Vesna Markovic Dr John Meulet Dr Asha Sadasivan Dr Hanlon Sia Dr David Kitchen Dr Karyn Lun
Part-time Practitioners Dr Dinithi Samaratunga Dr Sonali De Sylva Dr Sepalika Jayamaha Dr Miriam Vassallo Dr Phoebe Donaldson Dr David Copeland Dr Alicia Kohn Dr Naomi Tracey Dr Matthew Hope Dr Elavarasi Ranjithan
Salaried Dr Bernard Carty
AMA Queensland Committees Did you know that AMA Queensland’s committees play an integral part in the development of our professional development programs? Our hardworking membership and events team work hard to turn these ideas into reality. This ensures that all our events are peer-developed and remain fresh and pertinent to your professional development needs. The AMA Queensland Council of Doctors in Training has been one of our most active in developing original and topical content for the profession. The committee, working in conjunction with the membership team, developed the inaugural Getting Involved in Research free member seminar and, based on member feedback, ensured that it was delivered via webinar to our regional members. They have also actively developed the 2016 Intern Readiness Workshops to ensure that the next generation are ready to start their careers on the best foot. The flagship event for this committee was the second annual Junior Doctor Conference. This conference, designed to inspire junior doctors, incorporated speeches from luminaries such as Professor Ian Frazer AC, Dr Kellee Slater, and Emeritus Professor John Murtagh AM. We also realise the importance of our members reaching their full potential. We were delighted to feature a dedicated career development stream that provided members with hints and tips on how to be the best doctor they can be. Every element of this conference, from the choice of speakers through to panel topics, was developed through the feedback of members. Our Council of General Practice, representing our members in general practice, provided valuable feedback in the development of our member GP rally against the GP co-payment. They have also been integral in the design and selection of speakers and topics for the Starting and Working in Private Practice Conference. Our Council of General Practice and the Ethics and Medico-Legal Committee have worked together to develop the program for the third annual Medico-Legal Conference. These committees have actively chosen the topics based on their own professional experiences and developmental needs. Our members will hear from experts on topics as diverse as how to protect your professional reputation online through to what you need to do if your practice is hit by a natural disaster. Every one of these sessions and speakers has been selected and developed in conjunction with our hardworking committee members to ensure that it matches members’ professional development needs. Do you have an idea for an event or topic you’d like to see included in our annual professional development program? Contact our General Manager of Member Relations Holly Bretherton to discuss on (07) 3872 2248. We heartily welcome any interested practitioners to join our committees and we invite you to contact us on policy@amaq.com.au for further information.
Medical Society Education Day
Medical Society Committee members from the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Bond University and James Cook University came along to the first Medical Education Society Day, designed to cover the essentials of running a medical society. The new event intends to support our student leaders by ensuring they have the best foundation to guide and advocate for their members. The program covered the essentials of legal structuring, risk, governance, accounting, disaster and media management, events management and marketing along with resilience and well-being, and was designed to support executive members in their important volunteer executive roles with the Medical Societies. Q 36
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
MEMBER NEWS
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DoctorQ July / August 2015
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THIRD ANNUAL events calendar
9 September
Women inSATURDAY Medicine 31 OCTOBER 2015 LAW SOCIETY HOUSE
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
include: This year’s topic, Keynotes The Art and Science of Happiness will explore the medical, The changing landscape of mental health reform in Queensland, The Honourable scientific and spiritual aspects to happiness. Dr KerrynJustice PhelpsBoddice, AM will President, Mental Health Court, Supreme Court of Queensland chair and commentate discussion Medico-legalon Case Digest, Jennifer Rosengren, Barrister, Bar Association of Queensland actively living a happier life in a timeThe prescription poor world of increasing pressures, opioid epidemic: a review of coronial findings and Magistrate James McDougall, Southern Coroner, Office of the personal and workrecommendations, demands and encroaching technologies. State Coroner
what’s on
20 – 26 SeptemberFull program available 31 October August – September at www.amaq.com.au in August Annual Conference
New York City
Law Society House
With the theme “A BIG Apple a Day keeps the doctor away – Strategies for a healthy and happy life,” this conference will focus on the importance of enjoying and maintaining good health, with discussions on mental health, obesity, doctors’ health and wellbeing, work/ life balance and preventative health.
AMA Queensland’s Medico-Legal Conference brings you the experts in the constantly changing and intersecting worlds of medicine and law. This conference will help you stay abreast of the issues that affect your work and your practice. The Honourable Justice Boddice, President, Mental Health Court, Supreme Court of Queensland will deliver the keynote address on the changing landscape of mental health reform in Queensland.
Save the date 12 November Bancroft Oration
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Medico Legal Conference
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
To view the full events calendar
Is your practice sustainable?
Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Ipswich, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and Mount Isa AMA Queensland’s new Workplace Relations Manager, Ken Lewis and William Buck Partner Paul Copeland will deliver workshops that focus on building a sustainable practice, looking at profits, people and professionalism. The workshops are designed to help you and your staff navigate the complicated field of business and workplace management.
Or to register for an event, visit amaq.com.au or contact the AMA Queensland Membership team on (07) 3872 2222 or email registrations@amaq.com.au
events calendar CONTINUING
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT POINTS *Subject to approval
THIRD ANNUAL
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2015 LAW SOCIETY HOUSE Keynotes include: The changing landscape of mental health reform in Queensland, The Honourable Justice Boddice, President, Mental Health Court, Supreme Court of Queensland Medico-legal Case Digest, Jennifer Rosengren, Barrister, Bar Association of Queensland The prescription opioid epidemic: a review of coronial findings and recommendations, Magistrate James McDougall, Southern Coroner, Office of the State Coroner
Full program available at www.amaq.com.au in August DoctorQ July / August 2015
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People & EVENTS
Speaker update: Dr Tim Sharp
Happiness expert Dr Timothy Sharp will bring the scientific edge to our trio of speakers at our upcoming Women in Medicine breakfast in September. We got the chance to fire a few questions at him about the lifelong pursuit of happiness. What do you think is the biggest barrier to the average person being happy?
What effect do you think happiness can have to a person’s health?
Based on more than 20 years experience working as a clinical and coaching psychologist, and having seen literally thousands of clients from all walks of life, I’ve learned that there are many reasons many people are not as happy as they’d like to be but two very common ones.
Contemporary research has increasingly supported the notion that physical and mental health are integrally linked. It’s hard to be happy if you are, quite literally, sick and tired all the time; and it’s much harder to do what you need to do for health and wellbeing if you’re depressed and experiencing low motivation. Happy people tend to be more likely to engage in other positive health behaviours such as eating well and exercising because real happiness is motivating and energising and inspiring, making it easier and more likely we’ll engage in appropriate and effective self-care.
Firstly, not enough people know what happiness really looks like…specifically for them! Although it’s something everyone wants, too few people have actually sat down and spent time seriously pondering what their best possible life would look like. And if we don’t know what it is we’re trying to achieve, we can’t ever effectively achieve it. Secondly, I’ve seen too many people fall into the trap I’ve come to call “the tyranny of when.” That is, they mistakenly believe that happiness will come “when”…when they have more money, more things, more status or when they’ve lost weight, dropped a dress size, or found a new job! But the reality is that although none of these goals are inherently bad, they won’t directly lead to real and meaningful happiness. Money and possessions might, in some cases, contribute to some degree of pleasure, but what we gain in these instances is typically short-lived and somewhat superficial. On the other hand, the feelings we get from working towards and achieving meaningful goals, from developing and maintaining good quality relationships, from practising and expressing gratitude (just to give a few examples) are far more enjoyable and beneficial over the longer term.
Too few people have actually sat down and spent time seriously pondering what their best possible life would look like 40
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Do you think it’s possible to be happy all the time? There’s a very simple answer to this question and it’s no! So called negative emotions such as anxiety and sadness, anger and frustration, stress and irritability are normal parts of being human; and in some instances they’re actually helpful. So it’s not just that we can’t be happy all the time, it’s also worth noting that we wouldn’t want to be! But there are many benefits to the appropriate experiencing of positive emotions so we do want to try to enjoy happiness as much as we can; and the research suggests the ideal ratio is about 3 : 1 (that is, three positive emotions for every negative one). What makes you happy? Not surprisingly, the things that make me happy are pretty much the same things that make everyone else happy. My wife and children are definitely at the top, closely followed by friends and family. The work I do is meaningful and largely involves helping others so I’m lucky enough to enjoy a double-hit in that area of my life. There are also many other things, like listening to live music but for me, there’s no doubt that exercising (which I do every day in some way or other) is the most effective anti-depressant and stress buster, as well as the most powerful mood enhancer! Q
People & EVENTS
TH E ART AND SC IENC E OF H A PPINESS WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER BRISBANE CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE GREY STREET, SOUTHBANK 7.30AM – 9.00AM
Dr Kerryn Phelps AM , General Practitioner, Integrative Medicine, Cooper Street Clinic
Dr Timothy Sharp , Psychologist, Happiness Institute
Venerable Robina Courtin, Teacher of Buddhist philosophy
The full program and registration form including discounted member rates are available on the AMA Queensland website | www.amaq.com.au
SUPPORTED BY Brisbane BMW DoctorQ July / August 2015
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People People&&EVENTS EVENTS
join your lma
Local Medical Association round up
Stay connected with colleagues and up to date with the latest health news and issues affecting your local area. Don’t stand on the sidelines —join your Local Medical Association today and make a difference.
Sunshine Coast Contact: Jo Bourke Phone: (07) 5479 3979 Cairns Contact: Dr Sharmila Biswas Phone: (07) 4036 4333 Townsville Contact: Dr Carl O’Kane Phone: (07) 4433 1111 Central Queensland Contact: Dr Harley Wilson Phone: 0419 277 611 Email: harleywilson00@gmail.com Toowoomba and Darling Downs Email: info@tddlma.org.au Web: www.tddlma.org.au
Bundaberg Contact: Dr Daud Yunus Phone: (07) 4152 2888 Email: daud.yunus@gmail.com
fraser Coast Contact: Drs Thomas Dunn and Paul Neeskens Email: tomdunn@bigpond.com.au
Brisbane Northside Contact: Dr Graham McNally Phone: (07) 3265 3111 Web: www.northsidelocalmedical. wordpress.com
ipswich and west moreton Contact: Dr Thomas McEniery Phone: (07) 3281 1177
Redcliffe and District Contact: Margaret McPherson Phone: (07) 3121 4043 Web: www.rdma.org.au Gold Coast Phone: 0419 780 505 Email: info@gcma.org.au Web: www.gcma.org.au
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
If your Local Medical Association does not appear or your details are incorrect, please email amaq@amaq.com.au.
can’t find your local area?
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MUSEUM OF MODERN ART QUEENS AMA Queensland AnnualConference 20-26 September 2015 REGISTER NOW AT: WWW.AMAQ.COM.AU
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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professional services
PROTECTION YOU SHOULD NOT BE WITHOUT
Fire, flooding or accidents are obviously devastating, but sadly, your practice can be just as effectively destroyed by the actions of your staff and/or fellow directors. AMA Queensland Insurance Solution’s Scott Stewart explains how you can protect your business’ good reputation.
Scott Stewart AMA Queensland Insurance Solutions 1300 883 059 scott.stewart@amaqis.com.au Scott Stewart is a medical indemnity specialist at AMA Queensland Insurance Solutions.
The loss of reputation and negative publicity brought about in litigation relating to employment practices, health and safety issues, human resources and client handling can take a much longer time to repair, if repairable.
stemmed from clinical activities. Today the trend in malpractice claims is towards proportionate liability, where courts allocate a relevant percentage of blame to all the parties involved, not just the medical practitioner themselves.
Actions as simple as misfiling a pathology report or accidently breaching privacy regulations can result in financial loss which can far exceed the value of a practice’s physical assets.
There is a current trend towards more non-clinical claims, like:
To protect yourself, it’s worth considering adding a Management Liability and Practice Indemnity policy to your insurance suite. Management Liability Insurance Private company directors, managers and even employees are increasingly faced with the very real risk of personal litigation from many sources including employees, shareholders, regulators, creditors, environmental groups, customers and suppliers. Although you may consider an allegation against the company or its directors by an employee or third party unjustified, you are unfortunately exposed without any recourse to an expensive and time consuming litigation to defend any allegation. Management Liability insurance is designed to protect business assets, directors and employees, via providing indemnity for any loss arising from a claim, as a result of a Wrongful Act committed while they are carrying out their duties and obligations. This policy will help protect against any personal legal liability that may arise from managing a business and help to cover the business itself for certain types of claims such as wrongful dismissal and sexual harassment, claims relating to staff superannuation, crisis management costs, etc. Due to the complex legislation surrounding employment related issues, holding cover to assist with legal action brought against you or your business by an employee(s) is very important. Companies can be vulnerable from the initial recruitment process right through to the exit interview. It is imperative to ensure that Employment Practices Liability is included in any Management Liability policy you hold. DISCLAIMER: AMA Queensland Insurance Solutions is a trading name of KSLR Pty Ltd, a Corporate Authorised Representative of Insurance Advisernet Australia Pty Limited, AFSL 240549. Corporate Authorised Representative No: 366807. The information provided in this article is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing any insurance product.
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Practice Indemnity Insurance In the past there has been an overwhelming amount of claims brought against medical practices and specialists for compensation primarily
Administrative errors; Medicare fraud by employees; Disclosure of patient records in breach of privacy legislation; Adverse publicity causing damage to your reputation; Molestation of patients; Inquiries into the conduct of the healthcare services. A practitioner’s claims history on their personal Medical Indemnity policy will remain with them throughout their career and they must seriously ask themselves if they wish to carry the responsibility for all employees with the potential and very real impact to their premiums in the event of a claim. In the event of a claim, would your Medical Indemnity policy even extend to cover the potential exposure? A good way to ensure your employees and the practice itself is well covered, whilst preserving your Medical Practitioner’s Indemnity coverage, is to obtain a Practice Indemnity policy. A Practice Indemnity policy provides cover to the insured practice and its employees, excluding Medical Practitioners (who hold their own personal cover). It will provide cover for civil liability claims and investigations brought against the practice or any employee directly in connection with the provision of healthcare services. The risks/errors of the practice will be covered by the Practice Indemnity policy while the risks/errors of Medical Practitioners are covered by their own individual policy. This has the following benefits for both the Practice and Medical Practitioners: A Medical Practitioner’s individual claims records are generally unaffected by claims made against the practice; A separate practice policy protects individual policy limits, the Medical Practitioner’s policy limit will not be eroded because of claims made against the practice; The Practice’s Indemnity Policy will not be affected by a claim made exclusively against a Medical Practitioner. Q
ONE LESS THING ON YOUR TO-DO LIST Have all your insurance needs covered through AMA Queensland Insurance Solutions
Free insurance health check
www.amaqis.com.au
We know doctors have a busy schedule, and while it may be easy to renew your insurance each year without proper revision, changes may have occurred for which you may not be fully covered and premiums need competitive comparison.
For peace of mind and an insurance healthy practice, contact AMA Queensland Insurance Solutions on 1300 883 059.
professional services
GROUP OWNERSHIP CONSIDERATIONS
Thinking about going into business with one of your best loved and trusted colleagues? Lynette Reynolds from TressCox Lawyers suggests you put some things down in writing before taking the next step.
Lynette Reynolds Partner (07) 3004 3555 Lynette_Reynolds@tresscox.com.au
It is relatively common for two or more medical practitioners to group together for business purposes. The benefits being risks and expenses are shared such as the costs of leased premises, equipment and staff. In addition to the practical considerations (such as setting up the appropriate accounting structure for the business entity), you also need to consider documenting the arrangements between the group owners. This is commonly known as a Shareholder, Partnership or Unitholder Agreement. What needs to be addressed when considering a Shareholder, Partnership or Unitholder Agreement? There are a number of significant business management issues which need to be addressed when thinking about group ownership. These include: 1. What are the roles and responsibilities of each group owner? Is a group owner allowed to remain an owner of the business if they are no longer conducting a consulting practice? 2. What happens if there is a deadlock or if one party becomes insolvent? 3. What decisions require unanimous approval and which decisions require only a majority approval? For instance is unanimous approval required for the admission of new group owners? What about the hiring of a new practice manager?
A welldocumented Shareholders Agreement is a valuable tool for providing a default for exit
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4. What happens if one party dies or becomes seriously ill so that they cannot continue in the practice? If there are to be options or obligations for the remaining owners to purchase the outgoing partners’ interest, how will this be funded? Will there be life and TPD insurance in place, and who will receive the proceeds? If there is insurance, will that insurance be sufficient to cover the value of the business? How will the business be valued? A well-documented Shareholders Agreement is a valuable tool both for agreeing on terms of business upfront and for providing a default mechanism for exit, if disputes or unforeseen circumstances arise in the future. And of course is preferable to a long dispute between the group owners if one party defaults or seeks to leave the group ownership structure in circumstances where there is no such agreement in place. Q
, Partner
Simon Harrison, Partner Phone 07 3004 3535 Mobile 0449 533 315 Simon_Harrison@tresscox.com.au
, Partner
, Partner
, Partner
, Partner
, Partner
, Partner
We can help you with: Purchase and sale of medical practices Medical indemnity claims IR & Workplace Safety Registration issues Business structuring and contracts Corporatisation
Employment Contracts General practice and specialist practice issues Dispute resolution and litigation Regulatory investigations and proceedings Medicare Australia investigations Estate Planning and Wills
professional services
Beware the part-time tax expert
When it comes to most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Paul Copeland from William Buck says to be weary of promising tax deductions – they might not be available to everyone.
Paul Copeland William Buck (07) 3229 5100 paul.copeland@williambuck.com
Paul Copeland is Business Advisory Director at William Buck Chartered Accountants and Advisors.
The recent small business incentives introduced by the Federal Government have created quite a buzz. But amidst all the fanfare, it is easy to be easily misled. As soon as the proposed changes were announced in the Federal Budget in May 2015, we have seen countless ‘tax experts’ emerge – from furniture and electrical retailers, to stationery suppliers and car dealers – the promise of tax deductions has been deafening, in particular during the lead up to the end of last financial year. Unfortunately, taking the advice of the part time ‘tax expert’ and not understanding the finer details will leave some people very disappointed. The small business incentives are a welcome addition for the medical industry, particularly the immediate tax deduction for assets costing less than $20,000. This incentive has now passed through parliament and is law, (along with the reduction in the company tax rate for small businesses from 30 per cent to 28.5 per cent.) But despite Treasurer Joe Hockey encouraging everyone to spend, spend, spend and ‘have a go’, it is important to remember that the incentives are not available to everyone. For example, Dr Bob is an intern working at a public hospital. After listening to a radio advertisement for a car dealership, Dr Bob purchases a second hand car to drive to work for $19,000. In accordance with the expert tax advice provided by the car dealership, Dr Bobexpects to claim a $19,000 tax deduction in his tax return, giving him a large tax refund. Unfortunately, Dr Bob cannot immediately claim
Unfortunately, taking the advice of the part time ‘tax expert’ and not understanding the finer details will leave some people very disappointed.
DISCLAIMER: This article has been prepared by Paul Copeland of William Buck. The article is intended to be general in nature and should not be relied upon by any person without seeking advice concerning their own circumstances.
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the deduction as he fails the first eligibility criteria – he does not run a business, he is an employee. Also, Dr Bob may not be able to claim a tax deduction for car expenses as his travel from home to work may be deemed to be private and not work related. Dr Jane, an obstetrician, bills $1.3m per year. She also owns a 50 per cent interest in a company that runs training courses which turns over $800,000 per year. The other 50 per cent is owned by her brother George, who essentially manages the business. In response to the small business incentive, Dr Jane purchases $35,000 in equipment (each item under $20,000) and George buys $15,000 in computers and $6,000 in printers for the training business. They expect to claim an immediate tax deduction for each purchase. However, Dr Jane and George fail the second eligibility criteria – to be a small business, aggregated turnover must be less than $2m. Despite both businesses having turnover of less than $2m, the turnover of both businesses must be combined due to Dr Jane having a controlling interest in George’s company. To avoid unexpected surprises, do not rely on part time ‘tax experts’– it is important to seek advice from a professional advisor. Getting it wrong can be costly and may not be able to be resolved in hindsight. Q
IS YOUR BUSINESS MODEL STRUCTURED
FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS? WITH A DEDICATED HEALTHCARE PRACTICE, WILLIAM BUCK CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE THE MOST APPROPRIATE STRUCTURE TO MINIMISE TAX AND PROTECT YOUR ASSETS. We understand that you want to get on with the business of treating your patients, knowing that your business model is achieving the best possible financial outcomes. William Buck is experienced at providing tailored and strategic business advice, and can assist with the following: — Comprehensive assistance with your personal and business taxation affairs — Explaining of how to structure your cash flow and maintenance of financial records — Practice structure advice, budgets and cash flow management — Insurances such as income protection and professional indemnity insurance — Asset protection - review current assets and compile a list of assets and liabilities CONTACT PAUL COPELAND FOR A CONFIDENTIAL & COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION Phone: + 61 (7) 3229 5100 Email: Paul.Copeland@williambuck.com
professional services
Ensure you get the most from your life and income protection insurance
Craig Wright, Insurance Adviser from Experien Insurance Services, gives us the top five tips for getting the most out of your life and income protection insurance. Craig Wright 1300 796 577 craig.wright@experien.com.au Craig Wright is a risk specialist for Experien Insurance Services, based in Brisbane. He has substantial knowledge of the medical industry and a comprehensive understanding of the insurance needs for specialists within this professional sector.
ONE: A claim should not be a fight, we will do the work for you
FOUR: Buying direct could cost you more and get you less!
The value of insurance is never felt more than at claim time. This is when dealing with an insurance adviser (as opposed to dealing direct with an insurer) is so valuable. Advisers help with such things as: arranging a client’s claim forms and delivering it to their house, arranging a death benefit payment for the grieving family or assisting with many other complex aspects such as arranging probate. It is essential the manager of your insurance has strong relationships with insurers and their claim managers and are able to ensure your claim is managed in an efficient manner.
Getting your insurance over the counter or direct can sometimes appear to be a quicker solution. However, you may not be aware of all the product details, know what’s best for your needs/ circumstances or have missed a fundamental inclusion/exclusion of the policy. Direct life insurance may be very restrictive and more expensive than products that are tailored for your unique needs.
TWO: Some clients can save $400K in premiums by choosing the right structure. You have a choice of how to structure your premiums for life insurance, income protection, Total and Permanent disability (TPD), business expenses or trauma – by choosing between what is known as ‘stepped’ or ‘level’ premiums. This decision can impact on your overall premium cost savings. The stepped premium option can often seem superior in the short term. However, stepped premiums increase each year, as you get older, and the actual increase amount will depend on your age each year. Level premiums generally remain little affected as you get older, you pay more upfront but end up paying a significantly lower amount over the long term. In fact, over the long term, a level premium structure can sometimes cost four times less over the life of a policy. THREE: Your needs change all the time and your policy may no longer be optimal. When did you last review?
Disclaimer: This information is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, it is not guaranteed. You should obtain a copy of the product disclosure statement and also obtain independent professional advice before acting on the information contained in this publication. Life Insurance services are provided by Experien Insurance Services Pty Ltd (ABN 99 128678 937). Experien Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 99 128 678 937 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 320626) of ClearView Financial Advice Pty Limited ABN 89 133 593 012 AFS Licence No. 331367.
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As you get older and your life changes, so do your insurance needs. It’s important to regularly assess your level of coverage and make sure it’s still adequate. Being underinsured could leave your family vulnerable should anything happen to you. If you’re getting married, divorced, starting a practice or increasing your debt levels, it may be time to review your coverage levels and your beneficiaries. And insurance products change regularly; make sure you don’t get stuck on an old policy that becomes out of date.
FIVE: Insurance from super funds is often not enough Insurance cover offered through super funds can be a good starting point, but they are often just that. Many are set at a low and basic default level with all members in mind, so does not take your personal circumstances and profession into consideration. That’s why you should always assess whether the level of cover is enough to support all your financial commitments. Relying on default cover from your super fund may make a significant difference to the amount you receive at claim time. Some people are shocked to find their cover in such funds reduce when they get older rather than increase. Q
Did you know 83% of Australian’s say they have insurance for their car?
Yet only 31% have income protection. For the equivalent of an average annual car insurance premium you can insure your cumulative loss of income to age 70 (in excess of $2,000,000).* Experien is the preferred life insurance provider to the AMA Queensland and one of the few national brokers that specialise in the medical sector. Speak to Craig or Justin for a complimentary consultation or review. P 1300 796 577
Life Insurance services are provided by Experien Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 99 128 678 937. Experien Insurance Services Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 320626) of ClearView Financial Advice Pty Limited ABN 89 133 593 012 AFS Licence No. 331367. General Insurance services are provided by Experien General Insurance Services Pty Ltd trading as Experien Insurance Services ABN 77 151 269 279 AFS Licence No. 430190. This information is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, it is not guaranteed. You should obtain a copy of the product disclosure statement and obtain independent professional advice before acting on the information contained in this publication. *Based on an average annual car premium of $900.00. Comparison based exclusively on Male, non smoker, age 28, $5,500 monthly benefit and accurate as of 02/02/2015. Statistical source: lifewise.org.au
E info@experien.com.au
professional services
Google’s mobile revolution to impact private practice Jason Borody
With Internet searches on mobile devices increasing rapidly, Google has announced changes that affect how websites rank on search engines. Jason Borody, Director of healthcare marketing specialists Vividus, explains how your practice can stay ahead of the competition.
Director (07) 3283 2233 Jason@vividus.com.au
Vividus specialises in healthcare marketing for hospitals, medical centres, GP and specialist practices, and healthcare businesses.
The world is becoming increasingly mobile with over 50 per cent of Internet searches now being conducted on mobile devices. We want information quickly and conveniently at our fingertips – becoming accustomed to reaching for our phones or tablets for the answers whether we are on the go or at home. Your patients are no different, regularly seeking practice, service, and provider information from your website to direct their decisions regarding which provider to trust with their health and wellbeing. To thriving in this mobile revolution requires up to date knowledge, a willingness to adapt and improve, and the effective implementation of critical changes within your online landscape. One such change is the latest Google update announcing that the search engine giant would start favouring websites optimised for mobile devices. However in true Google style, they haven’t given much detail regarding the details of what this change means. Here’s what we do know. Having a website that is mobile friendly will be key to the new mobile-focused algorithm. This means that practices without a good mobile website will lose potential patients to their competitors who have mobile friendly sites.
Thriving in this mobile revolution requires up to date knowledge, a willingness to adapt and improve, and the effective implementation of critical changes within your online landscape. 52
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Google’s last update Panda affected 11 per cent of search results. After the 21 April 2015 change, mobile friendly sites were bumped up the rankings by up to 72 per cent the very next day. Google has always focused on serving the most relevant search results to its users. When it comes to mobile search queries, Google wants
to not only provide users with accurate search results, but also direct them to sites that provide the best possible mobile experience. We have all experienced the frustration of panning across difficult to read websites that don’t resize properly onto a mobile screen. But Google’s recent mobile update goes beyond just the sizing options of your website. Google has recommended a number of additional areas to concentrate including: 1. Making it easy for customers. The easier it is for patients and referrers to find contact, service, and treatment information on your website, the greater their engagement will be within your site, and the more Google will reward you through search results. 2. Measuring the effectiveness of your efforts. Decide what the most important components of your website are and then make them easily accessible throughout your site. Make sure the components you’re prioritising are equally accessible on any mobile device. For example, booking an online appointment, filling out previsit forms, or making enquiries. 3. Google favours responsive design for websites. Responsive design allows your website to determine the screen size of the viewing device and optimise not just the size, but the entire layout and styling of your website to maximise legibility and user experience. The good news is responsive design is also the most cost effective solution when converting your website to become mobile friendly. Q
professional services
International investment: still time to re-position your portfolio
Macquarie’s Ross Noye explains how international investing can expand the opportunities available to investors who wish to build a diversified portfolio across industries, sectors and companies that are not available in Australia. Ross Noye Macquarie Private Wealth (07) 3233 5805 0438 779 955 ross.noye@macquarie.com Ross Noye is a stockbroker and financial advisor at Macquarie who specialises in investment and retirement planning.
The US economic recovery is well underway with the US S&P 500 up more than 207 per cent since the 6 March 2009 low, while the Australian market is up almost 75 per cent and more than 133 per cent including dividends over the same six year period (Source: Iress June 2015). With the high employment coupled with a strong share market and strengthening property markets, the US Federal Reserve has indicated it will be looking to move interest to a more normal setting in the year ahead while the faltering Australian economy is making more likely the RBA will cut rates again with the aim to lower the Australian dollar. A lower dollar benefits businesses with overseas earnings because they translate into higher earnings when they are reported in Australian dollar terms. As a result, some investors may like to review their portfolios and re-position them to potentially benefit from any further fall in the Australian dollar. Importantly, many of these same companies will have high operational leverage after spending recent years with the high Australian dollar reducing costs and increasing productivity in order to stay competitive. A lower dollar will help them reap further rewards for this hard work. Australian and international investors have benefitted from the surge in the share prices of those companies paying high dividend yields, share buy-backs and an increase in dividend payout ratios, but offshore earnings look set to continue to be the catalyst for share price growth. However, most Australian investors tend to focus their investment portfolios on domestic securities and miss the benefits of this diversification. With the falling Australian dollar, these benefits become more pronounced.
Diversification across asset classes, industries and economies has proven even more important in the post-GFC years. Investors who diversified into the US market have outperformed those only invested in Australia. There are more than 2,000 entities listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), but overall, the Australian sharemarket is highly concentrated with a large representation in the financial services and resources sectors. Surprisingly, one stock alone accounts for approximately 10 per cent of the entire Australian share market. In fact, the financial services sector accounts for 32 per cent of the market, while the resources sector represents 31 per cent (Source:Iress) International investment provides an avenue to enable better management of the level of risk in a portfolio by spreading exposure across different asset types and economies. International investing can expand the opportunities available to investors who wish to build a diversified portfolio across industries, sectors, companies and property not available in Australia. Certain sectors, such as healthcare and information technology, are under-represented in the Australian market and provide very limited choice for investors. Other sectors, such as aerospace, automobiles, and microchip technology, may not even be available domestically. While the current environment may bring opportunities, investors should be aware there can be a number of risks involved in investing internationally besides the usual market risks, including currency risk and sovereign risk. Investors should consider the impact of currency changes on international assets and should consider seeking advice before making investment decisions. Q
important information: This information has been prepared by Macquarie Equities Limited ABN 41 002 574 923 (“MEL”) participant of Australian Securities Exchange Group, Australian financial services licence No. 237504, No 1, Shelley St, Sydney NSW 2000, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should consider whether it is appropriate to your situation. We recommend that you obtain financial, legal and taxation advice before making any financial investment decision. Members of the Macquarie Group or their associates, officers or employees (“Macquarie”) may have interests in the financial products referred to in this advice by acting in various roles including as investment banker, underwriter or dealer, holder of principal positions, broker, lender or adviser.
DoctorQ July / August 2015
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07 3833 2500 07 3833 2511 www.brizbrain.com.au
Queensland’s first choice for neurosurgery and spinal surgery Proudly celebrating ten years of excellence in patient care Partners
Surgeons Dr Francis Tomlinson
BrizBrain & Spine’s partner clinic on the Sunshine Coast, and our first stand alone regional clinic. scbrainandspine.com.au
Health Group The Fortus Health Group provide executive management, business advice, accounting, marketing and IT services to the health industry. fortushealth.com.au
Newro FOUNDATION New Ideas New Research New Hope
BrizBrain & Spine is committed to undertaking and supporting research to better treatment and post-operative care to patients with brain and spine conditions. We are proud supporters of the Newro Foundation. newrofoundation.com.au
Locations
NEUROSURGEON & SPINAL SURGEON
OPERATING HOSPITALS
Dr Terry Coyne
The Wesley Hospital Auchenflower
NEUROSURGEON & SPINAL SURGEON
Holy Spirit Northside Chermside
Dr Geoff Askin PAEDIATRIC & ADULT SPINAL SURGEON
St Andrew’s Hospital Spring Hill
Dr Richard Kahler
Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane
NEUROSURGEON & SPINAL SURGEON
Dr David Walker NEUROSURGEON & SPINAL SURGEON
Dr Michael Bryant NEUROSURGEON & SPINAL SURGEON
Mater Children’s Private Hospital South Brisbane Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital South Brisbane
CLINIC LOCATIONS Auchenflower
Rockhampton
Dr Steven Yang
Spring Hill
Ipswich
PAEDIATRIC & ADULT SPINAL & HAND SURGEON
Chermside
Toowoomba
North Lakes
Lismore
South Brisbane
Mackay
Dr Lindy Jeffree NEUROSURGEON & SPINAL SURGEON
Sunshine Coast
professional services
Should I buy or lease my commercial space? It is one of the most important business decisions a doctor must make: should I buy my commercial space or lease it? BOQ Specialist’s Jeff Miller helps you weigh up the options.
Sometimes, the benefits of buying a commercial practice outweigh the advantage of leasing. In a low interest rate environment, real estate is often a good investment - mortgage repayments may be no higher than rent payments for a lease and, if property prices are on the up, real estate ownership offers valuable potential for capital growth. Owning your own practice also provides security and freedom with the potential for significant appreciation. On the other hand, buying a commercial space can tie up money which may be needed elsewhere in the business - particularly for newer practices. It comes with a long term financial commitment and incurs ongoing taxes, building insurance, maintenance and repairs. A short term lease might make more sense for an early stage business. It is often difficult to accurately forecast earnings when you are starting out and you can never predict how successful you will be. Leasing gives you flexibility – the ability to relocate, upsize or downsize depending on the success of the business. Should the market turn, financial losses can be minimised by subletting if the business comes under pressure or you could adopt an ‘online only’ business model. Consider all the issues When making the decision of which one is right for you it is important to consider a number of key questions. These could be: What’s the right location for my practice? How many rooms do I need? Is there room for growth? Do I need parking
for patients? Are there common areas with other businesses? Can I display signage? Do I want furnished or unfurnished premises? Do I need a receptionist to welcome patients? Do I need access to premises after hours? What would happen if I wanted to get out of the lease agreement?
Jeff Miller BOQ Specialist 1300 131 141 jeff.miller@boqspecialist.com.au
Often, the biggest impediment to buying your own premises is a perception that you need to contribute a significant deposit, usually 30-40 per cent. It is worth knowing that lenders such as BOQ Specialist are willing to offer professionals such as doctors significantly higher loan to value ratios (LVRs) – sometimes up to 100 per cent and up to 90 per cent for Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) borrowing for owner occupied practice premises. Whether you make the decision to buy or lease, ensure you receive adequate property, financial, legal, and business advice before entering into any financial commitment. It’s one of the most important decisions you will have to make as a practice owner so it’s important to do your research. It’s worth investing time in making the decision now to ensure the success of your business in the future. Q
A short term lease might make more sense for an early stage business Disclaimer: The issuer and credit provider of these products and services is BOQ Specialist - a division of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740 AFSL and Australian credit licence no. 244616 (“BOQ Specialist”). Terms and conditions, fees and charges and lending and eligibility criteria apply. Any information is of a general nature only. We have not taken into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs when preparing it. Before acting on this information you should consider if it is appropriate for your situation. You should obtain and consider the terms and conditions and if relevant, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) from www.boqspecialist.com.au before making any decision about whether to acquire the deposit products. We reserve the right to cease offering these products at any time without notice. The information contained in this article (Information) is general in nature and has been provided in good faith, without taking into account your personal circumstances. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information is accurate and opinions fair and reasonable, no warranties in this regard are provided. We recommend that you obtain independent financial and tax advice before making any decisions.
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Expedition Travel
lifestyle
A Lindblad-National Geographic expedition is arguably the most exhilarating and all-encompassing sensory travel experience a person can have. You’ll benefit from a long heritage of exploration stretching back to the father of eco-tourism, Lars-Eric Lindblad. A pioneer of expedition travel, he was the first person to take citizen explorers to places where only scientists had gone, including Antarctica and Galapagos.
Credit: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Lindblad Expeditions’ fleet of 10 expedition ships visit the world’s most extraordinary places and, in partnership with National Geographic, offer the chance to explore in the company of world-renowned scientists, naturalists, and researchers. Lindblad Expeditions provide an unparalleled photography initiative, offering photography tuition with a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor on every expedition, and a National Geographic photographer aboard every departure of National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion. The destinations which Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic explore are remarkable, and the fleet of nimble expedition ships guarantees you upclose experiences in remote places. Antarctica A visit to the Antarctic is like no other. Learn about the dashing history of the Heroic Age of Exploration, view vast colonies of penguins and be astounded by majestic icebergs and glaciers. The profound absence of anything man-made makes Antarctica a unique destination, which few have the opportunity to see.
Credit: Michael S. Nolan Credit: Greg Parsons
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic have been traversing the polar waters for more than 45 years, which has led them to create the best suite of exploration tools to enhance your experience. Including Zodiacs and a Zodiac deployment system, there is virtually no wait time to board secure sight-seeing vessels, designed to place you even closer to the ice formations and wildlife. Every experience level is catered for; actively explore every day, including kayaking and hiking. Galapagos
ail Ros at
ll or em formation ca For more in Queensland. el av Tr AMA
00 262 885 PHONE: 18 56 7200 55 7) (0 FAX: EMAIL: aq.com.au travel@am WEB: l.com.au .worldtrave www.amaq
It’s different in Galápagos, “a little world within itself,” as Charles Darwin described it, where magical encounters with animals happen like nowhere else on earth. Each volcanic island is different, and the undersea offers you a remarkable experience. You’ll have the chance to snorkel every day upwelling currents in the archipelago bathe the region in nutrient-rich waters, making it incredibly rich in marine life.
Kayak alongside the shorelines of islands, or keep your eyes sharp for spotting rare bird species, including the Floreana mockingbird. National Geographic Endeavour features a glass bottom boat, for those wanting to experience the undersea in a relaxed way. New Destinations: Europe Commencing in 2016, the National Geographic Orion will traverse new waters as she spends the European spring, summer and autumn on a highly curated series of 22 one-week voyages. This state-of-the-art expedition ship is intimate, with 102 guests on board. Equipped for expedition travel with a full complement of exploratory tools, including kayaks, Zodiacs, and an ROV, she is also engineered for maximum comfort. Her public rooms include a dramatic windowlined main lounge and a library, perched at the very top of the ship. The European itineraries are innovative, and will explore Portugal, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, the Baltic Republics and Scandinavia. Led by an extraordinary team with a diverse scope of expertise, covering history, art, viniculture and music, there will be the opportunity to actively sight-see via bicycles and kayaks. There is the opportunity to take voyages consecutively, or to meet up with the ship in between your other travel plans. Highlights include birdwatching on Ile de Ré, observing Puffin colonies on the Skellig Islands and cruising through canals in Harlingen by Zodiac. Our team has just returned from the field, where they were developing exclusive opportunities and insider access: arranging dining experiences at eateries only locals know, private dinners in gorgeous locations you would otherwise never experience; and musical performances arranged exclusively by Lindblad’s very own journey ethnomusicologist. With voyages to some of the most unique and extraordinary corners of the world, a Lindblad-National Geographic expedition will offer what many yearn for, yet few ever find. Q
Vintage
lifestyle
of the Year in South Australia
Phil Manser from Wine Direct explains why some unseasonal weather in Adelaide has produced some spectacular wines for the 2015 season. I’ve found myself much closer to vintage conditions than I imagined only a year ago. My brother and I recently acquired land and vineyard in the southern Adelaide Hills and from up close I can say with confidence that 2015 will go down as one of the best quality vintages in the last decade in SA.
2015 Hamilton Adelaide Sauvignon Blanc
full of class, ripe fruit tempered with earlier picked green pea and grassy character
In terms of total crush, this vintage continues the trend of falling yields but nothing has been spared regarding quality. Many vignerons and winemakers have noted this vintage was ‘early and quick’, early flowering, early ripening and earlier to work. Unseasonal but welcome rain in January raised concerns of disease but those Freo Doctor like medicinal summer breezes allayed any of these concerns, especially up our way in the hills. When covering vintage, it’s easy to fall into the trap of vague generalisations so here’s a few tid bits from some of the premium areas… After speaking to Tim Adams of 2015, I came away very excited about what’s coming. Tim is a Clare stalwart but has always managed to remain measured, even restrained even in years like 1990, ’97 or ’05. “Sensational” was his summation of Clare whites this year, particularly Riesling and Pinot Gris. In the Barossa, Peter Scholz of Willows fame (also a wine maker for many years at Peter Lehmann) was also glowing of 2015. I found him astride an open fermenter plunging the cap of his flagship shiraz, hard work but you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Some amazing Grenache is on its way too.
In McLaren Vale a brief burst of heat sent beaumes spiralling upwards but much of this fruit was picked in time and will produce reds of intensity, richness and depth of flavour. A similar story is also told in the Adelaide Hills with whites again showing the way and already I have the first of the 2015s to recommend… 2015 Hamilton Adelaide Sauvignon Blanc – full of class, ripe fruit tempered with earlier picked green pea and grassy character. The palate is crisp and fresh and worthy of Coffin Bay Oysters or freshly boiled crab from the pot. This was selected over Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc at two gala dinners I supplied last year for The Law Society and Real Estate Institute. In both instances the two were tried side by side and this triumphed at half the price. I believe this vintage is again up to the challenge. Call me for special AMA pricing of this wine. Q
Phil Manser Wine Direct 1800 649 463 phil.manser@winedirect.com.au DoctorQ July / August 2015
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Marina Spectacular | Omeros Bros
If you’re looking for truly great seafood and great service, Omeros Bros is about to become your new favourite place. One word sums up Omeros Bros and that is: old-school. It’s not the place for small, fancy meals created in a lab, it’s a place with fresh, high quality seafood served rather simply. The Omeros family have a 40-year history of seafood restaurants in Sydney and the Gold Coast. My husband and I escaped the children for the night and took the drive to the Gold Coast for a quiet, grown-ups dinner. Omeros Bros is the perfect place for a date night, where you feel comfortable enough to talk but not afraid of chewing too loudly. The huge glass walls overlook the millions of dollars worth of yachts in Marina Mirage and the Gold Coast lights on the water make a beautiful backdrop. We’ve been here before for lunch and sat down on the deck where the fish are practically nibbling at your toes. We’re seated by the Manager, Robert Rank, who knows each regular visitor by name. The service is always prompt and friendly. Apparently the wine is good here – French, Italian, Australian and New Zealand wines, but we just don’t really do wine. They have a nice range of imported beers if you’re more inclined to add some carbs to your carbs. Glen gets a large serve of crumbed calamari, the way it was meant to be, not how it’s served deep-fried-from-frozen in a cafe. It’s marinated, soft, buttery and crispy and it will ruin you for cheap calamari for life. They serve it with sensational homemade tartare sauce and I’m glad my husband is one to share food.
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My entree is some lightly beer battered Hervey Bay scallops and they’re fantastic. They’re soft and sweet and creamy and the crisp batter is a great casing. For our main, I was a little horrified that my husband would go to a great seafood place and order steak, but what are you going to do? He stopped short of licking the plate, so I can only assume it was good. I ordered the Moreton Bay bugs, as always, and they arrive grilled in a brandy butter sauce. The tourists at the table beside us are enjoying the novelty of ordering bugs and photographing them whole to freak out their friends back home, no doubt. Aussies probably should have given them a more appetising name if they planned to turn them into an international delicacy. I have been told they are a great rival to lobster, at a fairly significant difference in price. The lobsters in the tank by the door told me they don’t agree. I’m sure the dessert menu is great, but I’m not sure we’ve ever gotten that far. A walk around the marina and some window-shopping gives us another excuse to wait a bit longer before returning home. Michelle Ford Russ Q
Omeros Bros would like to offer AMA Queensland members a 10% discount on their total bill. Show the front desk your membership card. Until 1 November 2015. Got a favourite restaurant you’d like to review? Email it to editor@amaq.com.au.
lifestyle
AUTUMN WINTER COLLECTION 2015
OSKA Concept Shop 55 Gallery Level To o w o n g V i l l a g e Brisbane We’re open Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm (Thursday to 9pm) Saturday 9am to 4pm Call us on 07 3172 2410 Email us at shop@oskaconcept.com.au oskaconcept.com.au
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Club Dendy Preview 22 July, 10.30am and 6.30pm. Michael Caton, Jacki Weaver and an amazing Australian support cast star in Last Cab to Darwin. Caton is Rex, a Broken Hill cab driver who, when told he doesn’t have long to live, sets out on an epic journey to Darwin in a bid to die on his own terms. Along the way he actually discovers instead that it’s never too late to start living. Filled with hope, humour and heart, Last Cab to Darwin is set against the stunning Australian outback.
COMING FILMS 16 July
Paper Towns
Ant Man
23 July
Mr Holmes
30 July
Fantastic Four
6 August Mission Impossible
The Audience
Everyman
National Theatre Live
National Theatre Live
18 and 19 July at 1pm, 22 July at 10am, 23 July at 6pm.
8 and 9 August at 1pm, 10 and 12 August at 6pm.
For sixty years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a private weekly meeting. The meeting is known as The Audience. No one knows what they discuss, not even their spouses. From the old warrior Winston Churchill to the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher, Blair right up to today’s meetings with the current incumbent David Cameron, the Queen advises her Prime Ministers on all matters both public and personal. Through these private audiences, we see glimpses of the woman behind the crown and witness the moments that shaped the monarch. Do not miss Helen Mirren’s stunning performance as Queen Elizabeth II.
Coming to your screen in August, BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor in the dynamic reimagining of one of English drama’s oldest plays. Everyman is successful, popular and riding high when death comes calling. He is forced to abandon the life he has built and embark on a last, frantic search to recruit a friend, anyone, to speak in his defence. But death is close behind, and time is running out. One of the great primal, spiritual myths, Everyman asks whether it is only in death that we can understand our lives. A cornerstone of English drama since the fifteenth century, it now explodes onto the stage in a startling production.
Last Cab to Darwin
13 August Irrational Man *films releasing at Dendy Portside are subject to change – check the website for up to date releases
Events at Dendy Dendy Portside is the perfect location for your next corporate, social or fundraising event. With function and cinema hire packages to suit all needs, there’s no need to look anywhere else. Contact portsideevents@dendy.com. au for more information.
WIN MOVIE TICKETS FOR TWO Name:
Member No:
Postal address: Portside Wharf, Remora Road, Hamilton Ph: (07) 3137 6000 www.dendy.com.au 60
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Phone:
FAX BACK TO (07) 3856 4727 or email competitions@amaq.com.au by 31 July
lifestyle Expressions Dance Company Playhouse | 21- 29 August Plunge into a wicked tale of ancient sin unleashed on the modern world. Internationally acclaimed choreographer, Natalie Weir, and the Expressions Dance Company ensemble of award-winning dancers take you on a journey through the seven deadly sins in this edgy, worldpremiere production, spiced with villainous wit. Spotlighting the inherent frailty and imperfections that exist in us all, 7 Deadly Sins explores the age-old sinful nature of mankind retold through electrifying contemporary dance characterised by Natalie Weir’s unique insights into the human condition. Rich imagery, extravagant costumes and breathtaking movement will pack an emotional punch in this devilishly delicious adventure.
Gurrumul – The Gospel Songs Tour Concert Hall | 2 August
Aboriginal singer Gurrumul is a stunningly beautiful voice in the contemporary global landscape. In this world premiere national tour, he pays tribute to the spiritual richness of north east Arnhem Land and the gospel songs of his youth. In this concert, Gurrumul is joined by a choir to expand the sounds he heard as a boy to create a deeply human encounter between cultures and across time.
Strictly Ballroom Lyric Theatre | From 9 September
Concert Hall | 7 September One of the world’s most sought after opera singers, Renée Fleming, takes to the Concert Hall stage for a special one-off recital – her first Brisbane performance in over a decade. Fleming will enchant Brisbane audiences with this rare Australian appearance to perform several of her signature works including Ravel’s Shéhérazade and selections from Canteloube’s Songs of the Auvergne, accompanied by pianist Richard Bado.
Queensland Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty Lyric Theatre | 23 – 31 October
Coming to QPAC from September, Strictly Ballroom The Musical is a joyous production that has audiences dancing in the aisles in a kaleidoscope of colour and fun.
At her 16th birthday party, Princess Aurora pricks her finger on a rose thorn and succumbs to a spell cast upon her at her christening by the wicked fairy Carabosse.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Strictly Ballroom The Musical features classic songs from the film including Love is in the Air and Time after Time, as well as some wonderful new songs by artists such as Eddie Perfect and Sia.
Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous music, The Sleeping Beauty is a classical masterpiece. With majestic sets and Renaissance-inspired costumes, Greg Horsman’s production sparkles with spectacular choreography and a cast of fanciful characters.
Name: Win a double pass to 7 deadly sins
Renée Fleming
Member No:
Postal address:
Phone:
FAX BACK TO (07) 3856 4727 or email competitions@amaq.com.au by 31 July DoctorQ July / August 2015
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Ocker doctor
Forgive me, I’m having a whinge
While the co-payment is gone for now, it’s still left a sour taste in many of our members’ mouths. Our Ocker Doctor reflects on some of the things to keep in mind when you have your inevitable ‘what’s the point of it all’ kind of moments.
Dr Matt Young General Practitioner
Like most people I like to play the role of the unappreciated martyr now and again. I don’t expect my life as a GP to be all beer and skittles. I don’t expect the red carpet to be rolled out when I head to the flicks or palm fronds and Hosanna every time I arrive home. I appreciate that for some reason several agencies look to take my profession down such as Medicare and assorted red tape manufacturers. Sometimes the chip on my shoulder about being “just a GP” flares up. Sometimes I am disappointed that members of our profession are sometimes portrayed as being nothing more than antibiotic prescribing, referral agents practicing six minute ‘sausage factory’ medicine. I think about the amount of emotional energy that goes into psyching myself up to tell any of favourite patients that they have a life ending disease. That the cancer they have been valiantly fighting has reared its head again in triumph. Sometimes I think about the stress of dealing with drug seeking patients who threaten and even try to physically assault me. Sometimes I lament the evenings that I get home after my two kids have gone to bed and sometimes I feel guilty about the crankiness that I project onto my love ones because I am feeling a bit drained by my day’s work. The time pressure really hits me hard, too. Booking patients every ten (not six) minutes seldom means that I can get patients in and out the door in ten minutes. The human species’ array of diseases doesn’t really fit into ten minute aliquots. Spending half an hour consoling someone who is facing their mortality means that the next few patients are going to be coming through my door, cranky. It can be a tough gig. The Medicare rebate saga certainly severely undermined the morale of lots of GPs. It really made me question the worth of my career. At least General Practice always paid my family’s bills pretty sweetly but now even that financial compensation for the stress on my family and me was under threat. So long story short I have spent a couple of weeks questioning what else I could do at the age of 48 and untrained in anything else and without any other qualifications besides an archaeology degree. And as far as archaeology 62
July / August 2015 DoctorQ
Sometimes I am disappointed that members of our profession are sometimes portrayed as being nothing more than antibiotic prescribing, referral agents practicing six minute ‘sausage factory’ medicine. goes, all of the pyramids and lost Inca ruins seem to have been already discovered. And the Roman Empire has been a bit quiet for the last 1,500 years. So I felt a bit trapped and resigned to my fate. Just as I was blissfully wallowing in self pity, a few things woke me up. A mate of mine had just scored the diagnosis of cancer and was mentally preparing for surgery the following week. He was devastated about
the future plight of his family and how they would cope if he didn’t pull through. It put all of my woes into context. After he had pretty much his whole body CT scanned, it fell to me announce the awesome news to his family and him that his cancer was confined to one organ and that surgery was extremely likely to be entirely curable. The raw emotion that we shared was something I will never forget. It was about then that I realised that for all the setbacks I might endure in my day of work, sometimes GP life really takes me to some incredible emotional highs. I just couldn’t get that in any other profession. We really are lucky to be able to share such emotional intensity with our patients. It stopped my whinging abruptly. Besides, my wife and kids still loved me and they are all healthy. My cricket club is back winning again. I still live in God’s own country, Queensland and I still have a job. My life is pretty good really. And as far as being a GP is concerned, it only takes a few sincere handshakes or smiles through a face full of tears to make me feel valued again. The odd box of chocolates and the occasional bottle of scotch help too. But even without those things, the vast emotional spectrum that I manage to live vicariously through my patients is really the greatest selling point of GP life. I really do love it and I am sorry that I ever doubted it. Perhaps it isn’t such a bad career after all. Q
lifestyle
W hat
does your medical suite say to your patients? exxpectations obstetrics & gynaecology - The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane
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For Sale Suzanne Leacy 0412 512 846 Call 3088 1515
mcgrath.com.au/258699
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All about you
Orphan Black
An orphaned hustler witnesses a woman jump in front of a train – a woman identical to her. She stumbles from one bizarre situation to another and manages to dive headlong into another woman’s nightmare far worse than her own. One of the reasons this show is so great is that every character has the potential to be both good and bad and it doesn’t explain itself at all, except to say people do terrible things for the people they love. Orphan Black has some awesome comic book-like qualities and there’s never a dull moment. Check it out on Netflix or buy the series online.
One Foot Wrong Sofie Laguna
Get your running shoes on! There’s still plenty of time to register for the Bridge to Brisbane on 30 August. You can run 10km or walk/run 5km in Queensland’s biggest community fun run. The 10km begins at the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge – South (formerly Gateway Bridge) and ends at the Brisbane Showgrounds. The 5km course starts from Hamilton Recreational Reserve. Visit www. bridgetobrisbane.com.au to register now.
Meet Jimmy Flick. He’s not like other kids - he’s both too fast and too slow. He sees too much, and too little. Jimmy’s mother Paula is the only one who can manage him. She teaches him how to count sheep so that he can fall asleep. She holds him tight enough to stop his cells spinning. It is only Paula who can keep Jimmy out of his father’s way. But when Jimmy’s world falls apart, he has to navigate the unfathomable world on his own, and make things right. Sofie Laguna’s first novel One Foot Wrong received rave reviews, sold all over the world and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award and shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. In The Eye of the Sheep, her great originality and talent will again amaze and move readers. In the tradition of Room and The Lovely Bones, here is a surprising and brilliant novel from one of our finest writers.
APP SNAP GymBetter If crazy hours means a gym membership is out of the question for you, MediBank Private’s gym app GymBetter might be the go. GymBetter allows you to visit 600 gyms around Australia contract free as a casual gym goer. Download the app, purchase a pass through the app and visit the gym during staffed hours. GymBetter’s network includes Goodlife, Anytime Fitness, YMCA and Fernwood gyms. While MediBank Private members with hospital and extras cover pay $8.50, it’s only a slightly higher cost at $11.95 for a non-member. If you visit a gym eight times that month, the rest of your visits are free.
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24/7 Palliative care support and advice
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Living with a life limiting illness can be an overwhelming and challenging experience for all involved. PalAssist is a 24 hour, no-cost, telephone and online service connecting patients and carers with experienced palliative care professionals. PalAssist offers both practical and emotional support for your patients and their carers, whether it’s a referral to local services or just to talk.
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In Print
John Murtagh’s General Practice: Sixth Edition The reference GPs rely on when practical experience counts. Emeritus Professor John Murtagh’s General Practice is widely recognised as the most influential publication for general practice and primary health care. Now in its sixth edition, this gold standard reference comprehensively covers the entire spectrum of general practice. Murtaghs textbooks and his teaching are equally legendary. General Practice, Patient Education and Practice Tips have sold more than 50,000 copies excluding nine language translations and several English reprints in India. John Murtagh was in the top 10 of Australian Doctors 50 most influential people in general practice 2005.
Doctor Q has a copy of John Murtagh’s General Practice to give away. Simply fill out your details in block letters on the form and fax it to (07) 3856 4727 or email editor@amaq.com.au.
Entries close 16 August
General Practice was described as the authoritative source for both established GPs and those starting out; the book has a place in just about every GP surgery in the country. Q
win this book! Name: Postal Address:
check for your name!
competition winners
Telephone: Member No:
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July / August 2015 DoctorQ
DENDY WINNERS
Book WINNER
Double pass winners
Joanna Ng won a copy of General Practice Psychiatry, thanks to McGraw-Hill Publishing.
1. Christopher Liessmann 2. Chanelle Simpson 3. Lesley Manski 4. Paul de Jong 5. Rod Hall
6. Say Eng 7. Alison McColl 8. Julia McLeod 9. Brian Wilson-Boyd 10. Alison Green
CLASSIFIEDS Specialists rooms available - Prime location Specialists rooms available - Prime location Modern, fully fitted roomsavailable available tenth Modern, fully fittedsessional sessional rooms on on the the tenth floorfloor of theofEvan Thomson Building at the the Wesley Evan Thomson Hospital. Building at the Wesley Hospital. Features: Features: Great sessional rates • Great sessional rates Internet access • Internet access Kitchen facilities • Kitchen facilities Ample sized waiting room • Ample sized waiting room Secretarial services available • Secretarial services available
For more information please contact Mark Higginbotham on 0488 558 862 or email
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SPECIALIST ROOMS FOR LEASE
Sunshine Coast General Surgeons have modern specialist rooms available for lease on the ground floor of the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital. They are available on a full-time basis or for sessional times. Included in the lease are electricity and cleaning. We are able to offer full secretarial services if required.
Please contact our practice manager, Robyn Blackmore, for further information on 07 5493 7018, or reception@scgensurg.com.au
P: 07 5437 9788 F: 07 5345 5276 Suite 20, Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, 3 Doherty St, Birtinya www.sunshinecoastgeneralsurgeons.com.au
Workplace Relations
Manuals
Work Health & Safety Manual Employer Manual Employee Policy & Procedure Manual Starting & Working in Private Practice
Further 10% off on purchasing all 4 manuals
To find out more contact the department either by phone on (07) 3872 2200 or by emailing workplacerelations@amaq.com.au.
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Visit us at boqspecialist.com.au/medical or speak to our local financial specialists on 07 3018 8100.
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Financial products and services described in this document are provided by BOQ Specialist Bank Limited ABN 55 071 292 594 (BOQ Specialist). BOQ Specialist is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740 (BOQ). BOQ and BOQ Specialist are both authorised deposit taking institutions in their own right. Neither BOQ nor BOQ Specialist guarantees or otherwise supports the obligations or performance of each other or of each other’s products. The issuer of these products is BOQ Specialist AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234975. All finance is subject to our credit assessment criteria. Terms and conditions, fees and charges and eligibility criteria apply. July / August 2015 DoctorQ BOQS000004 09/14