Practice group updates
General Practice
Chair: Dr Mary-Therese Wyatt | Meeting 14 May 2025
Medicare & bulk billing
Concerns about new bulk-billing incentives to take effect November; growing pressure towards shorter consultations, underfunding procedural and antenatal care, and worsening inequities, particularly for female GPs. Agreement that the model could push general practice towards a two-tiered system like the UK NHS. Revised member poll distributed to capture views, with questions about billing models, regional differences, and early retirement intentions.
Firearm health assessments
Operational and ethical concerns with the WA Firearm Authority’s new assessment process, especially for rural doctors who serve nearly half the State’s firearm owners. Online platform’s security and identification requirements flagged as problematic, potentially deterring patients from seeking care. The AMA (WA) will advocate for practical solutions, including postal submissions and use of provider numbers instead of Ahpra details.
Continuity of care from EDs
Concerns about limited access to ED telehealth via HealthDirect and lack of structured follow-up to GPs. Members called for automatic uploads of discharge summaries to My Health Record to improve continuity of care and reduce duplication.
Doctors’ Health Advisory Service WA (DHASWA)
DHASWA is actively recruiting GPs, with new state funding to expand the GP network under the Doctors Access Project. Participating doctors receive CPD training and access to 24/7 clinical support. Members encouraged to join the initiative.
State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) report payments
The AMA (WA) is continuing its advocacy to resolve the issue of unpaid SAT reports, including through recent engagement with the new Attorney General.
Care plan regulations
Recent reforms have reduced administrative burdens, but concerns remain over whether the proposed $150 rebate adequately reflects the work involved. The AMA (WA) will continue to monitor the rollout and advocate for sustainable funding to support comprehensive patient care.
Public Hospital Doctors
Chair: Dr Tony Ryan | Meeting 16 June 2025
Hospital Health Check (HHC)
HHC meetings underway across all HSPs. Key issues include persistent payslip problems, training access, bullying, and DiTs’ ability to access leave entitlements.
Pathology contract negotiations
Most negotiations with PathWest now complete. Agreement confirmed on grandfathering pay for three years. Twelve individuals removed from the claim with status quo exercised, and will likely proceed to the Commission.
Clinical Academics (CLAD) Agreement complexities
Negotiations concluded January 2024, permanency being the core issue. Dual employment model (UWA and HSP) has created contractual difficulties. Decision on permanency had to be made by September 2024 under Commissioner’s directive. Similar models being explored for pathologists and dual-trained physicians.
Hospital system updates
South Metro: Acute surgical unit at double capacity; 80 patients in a 40-bed ward. Peel’s nursing issues reached the Federal Health Minister. Armadale has 60 geriatric patients awaiting placement occupying two wards. Ahpra’s new IT system delaying IMG registrations. Locum use surged due to DiT shortages, but many now exiting for better offers. Maternity units, including FSH, have recently gone on bypass.
North Metro: Winter bed plans in place. Digital Medical Record (DMR) starts in August. Hospital in the Home scaling from 15 to 50 beds. Joondalup may move transitional care to Glengarry to free acute beds.
WA Country Health Service: All eligible doctors should have received specialist recognition by 30 June 2024, with any pay increases backdated to 3 September.
DiT Committee update
Ongoing workforce shortages heavily impacting DiTs, particularly at Armadale and Peel. WACHS overtime claiming policy continues to be problematic. AMC review of college standards submission deadline was extended, seeking input from all levels of medical staff.
Doctors in Training
Chairs: Dr Owen Taylor-Williams & Dr Natalie Ferrington | Meeting 9 June 2025
Hospital Health Check & system engagement
Meetings with East Metro, North Metro and WACHS to address site-specific concerns. Meetings organised with remaining HSPs and the CMO for training-related concerns.
Industrial outcomes & rostering compliance
Extended shift rate disputes resolved. PDL accrual updates delayed to August; roster audits to commence July onwards. HSPs expected to submit Alternative Roster Arrangements requests to AMA (WA) for review if not fully compliant with IA.
WACHS & rural issues
Meetings with WACHS Executive and Minister for Health’s office on DiT concerns, including overtime claim process issues. Further meetings will also address permanency and Rural Generalist classification implementation.
Telehealth & workflow reform
Progress in AMA (WA)’s engagement on telehealth review; JMO Workflow Review discussions underway with CMO and SWIR. Member committee representation established.
Joint consultative committees (JCCs)
JCC implementation across hospitals. Formal structure of employer reps and AMA (WA)-nominated member representatives, paid time for attendance, and admin support.
Site-specific concerns
DMR rollout causing issues across sites. East and North Metro report poor training uptake and increased burden. Medi-Hotel safety still a concern at SMHS. KEMH wellbeing issues improved. Doctors’ common room space issues noted at CAHS.
GP registrars
Support gaps for GP registrars, particularly around contracts, billing, and leave entitlements. Information sought on Single Employer Model implementation in WA. New survey being developed to understand demographics and billing.
Medical students & intern allocations
Student reps welcomed HHC results, but highlighted ongoing limited regional internship places. WAMSS in conjunction with MSCWA continues a federal cost-of-living campaign.
Leadership & representation
Dr Natalie Ferrington commenced as AMA (WA) Vice President on 25 June. Expressions of interest being taken for new DiT Co-Chair to commence in October.
Rural Doctors
Chair: Dr Paddy Glackin | Meeting 16 April 2025
Rural Workforce Initiatives Position Statement
Confirmed updates to the Rural Workforce Initiatives Position Statement, with focus on growing rural training pathways, supporting general practice, improving after-hours care, and removing barriers for IMGs.
Engaging with the government
With new regional ministers in place, the AMA (WA) is strengthening its rural political strategy and will reach out across regions (including unrepresented areas like the Goldfields) to recruit committee members from each region.
Federal government
The AMA (WA) is monitoring how the $8.5 billion health funding package will be distributed, particularly to rural communities.
Urgent Care Clinics (UCCs)
Concerns raised about the UCC rollout and the effect on established GP practices. The AMA (WA) to monitor this closely and advocate for sustainable models.
EBA implementation issues
The AMA (WA) has challenged WACHS over delays and inconsistencies in recognising Rural Generalists, and ready to pursue formal dispute resolution if needed.
Locum use
Recent Federal report on locum costs was criticised, emphasising that locums are an essential part of the rural healthcare ecosystem and reinforcing the need for smarter, long-term rural workforce planning.
Private Specialists
Chair: Dr Brigid Corrigan
An activity update will be included in the next edition of Medicus. The Private Specialist Practice Group aims to recognise and respond to the key challenges facing private practitioners within the WA health system. They identify issues relating to private specialist medical practice and make recommendations to the AMA (WA) Council, as well as develop and draft policy or position papers on key topics.