Western Australia - May 2022
Dear Colleagues,
In the final newsletter before the end of the current term of the 2020 to 2022 Western Australian Regional Committee, I would like to thank my fellow Committee members and briefly summarise some activities of the Committee during this term.
The Committee has had a focus on policy development and advocacy, supporting the campaigns for setting a minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Australia, and the integration of care with a focus on the aged care sector. The Committee contributed to the College’s response to the Climate Health WA Inquiry, and have made a commitment to raising the priority of sustainability in the upcoming term.
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to deliver numerous events for members in WA, including the Annual Trainees Day, Rural Physicians Weekend, and the New Fellows Forum. Online events have been delivered in cooperation with partners including the Australian Digital Health Authority whose series on the use of My Health Record, online reporting and electronic prescribing have attracted hundreds of viewers nationally.
Several committee members, including myself, will be stepping down at the end of this term. I wish you all well and thank you for your time and commitment in support of the College and your colleagues. I welcome the new committee members joining for the 2022 to 2024 term, and hope you all have an enjoyable and productive time.
Dr Helen Rhodes
Chair Western Australian Regional Committee
The RACP Western Australian Regional Office has relocated to 216 Stirling Highway in Nedlands, and will operate in accordance with the COVID-19 restrictions in place. The current office occupancy is limited to 20 people. All visitors are required to wear a facemask at all times, and to show proof of being double vaccinated against COVID-19.
In the coming months, many regularly scheduled fora have transitioned to virtual meetings, including AFOEM trainee presentations, CPD sessions and specialty education meetings. Many members are finding this format more convenient and conducive to a better work-life balance.
Should members wish to set up virtual meetings with colleagues, we will happily facilitate these. Please contact us to do so.
The Western Australia Regional Committee Members for 2022 to 2024 are as follows:
- Dr PK Loh, AMD
- Dr Kevin Tan, AFOEM
- Dr Emma-Leigh Synnott, AFRM
- Dr Phillipa Edmiston, trainee representative, PCHD
- Dr Sophie Alcock, trainee representative, AMD
- Dr Tony Mylius, elected member, AMD
There are several vacancies for elected positions, which will be filled via the casual vacancy process. If you are interested in the activities of the Regional Committee and the various opportunities to participate in local and national initiatives, please contact the Western Australian Regional Office.
The co-Chairs of the Western Australian Trainees Committee are Dr Sophie Alcock (Adult Medicine) and Dr Phillipa Edmiston (Paediatrics & Child Health).
The Western Australian Trainees' Committee’s portfolio includes the provision of a forum for WA trainee members to contribute to the functioning of the College. Trainee members on the committee are tasked with organising the annual Basic Training Orientation and the Advanced Trainees' Forum. Additionally, they are the principal advocates for trainees in Western Australia, and can be contacted with any queries or concerns.
Trainees who have queries about training progress can contact the WA Regional office for information and support.
Congratulations to the following RACP members from Western Australian featured in the recent Australia Day 2022 Honours List:
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Professor Bronwyn Gwenneth Stuckey AM FRACP
For significant service to medical research, to endocrinology, and to women's health.
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Professor Sandra Claire Thompson AM FAFPHM
For significant service to tertiary education, to rural and regional health, and to Indigenous health.
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RACP Online Community (ROC) and Mentor Match
Welcome to the RACP Online Community (ROC)!
You will have seen correspondence from the College around the launch of our online community; the ROC. The ROC which provides RACP members with the opportunity to discuss topical industry news, to catch up with colleagues, and to keep abreast of College news and events. It can also be used to post questions, share comments, and start debates and discussions with members in Western Australia, as well as with other members from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
We would encourage you to log into the ROC and take part in our online community.
Log into the ROC
Mentor Match at the ROC
Mentor Match is open to all members who would like to share their knowledge, expertise and advice with junior colleagues. You are invited to register as a mentor, and to watch this short video to see how easy it is to participate.
We will soon be inviting members to apply to be mentees. Please keep a look out for further information, and contact us if you have any questions.
Supervisor Professional Development Program Workshops
Supervisor Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshops provide supervisors with an opportunity to share their expertise with other supervisors and enhance and strengthen their supervisor skills.
Register for a virtual, face-to-face, or online Supervisor Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshop.
RACP Online Learning
The RACP offers an extensive collection of online learning resources designed to support members with their professional development and lifelong learning needs. Resources cover a range of clinical and professional topics, including:
And more! Don’t forget to claim CPD credits for time spent on RACP Online Learning.
Find online resources
RACP Support Program
The RACP Support Program is a fully confidential and independent helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is free for Fellows and trainees.
The RACP places the utmost importance on the wellbeing of its members. It can be difficult to balance the pressures of the workplace, interactions with colleagues and personal relationships. If you are having a hard time, we encourage you to contact Converge to organise a free session.
Get support
Events
Upcoming events
Australian Digital Health Authority
The RACP are collaborating with the Australian Digital Health Authority to deliver a series of webinars for members detailing the functions of My Health Record. Please keep an eye on your email inbox for future events.
Supervisor Professional Development Workshops
The SPDP workshop 3: Teaching and Facilitating Learning for Safe Practice is available on the following dates:
- 18 May 2022
- 31 May 2022
- 9 June 2022
- 10 June 2022 - open to Geriatric Medicine Supervisors only as part of ANZSGM Annual Scientific Meeting.
For information please contact: RACPWA@racp.edu.au
MEDCON22
Australia's largest inter-college medical conference is back on 22 to 23 July 2022, bringing together doctors from all specialties and stages of their medical career. Visit the Medcon website for further information.
My Health Record: On-demand training classes
You are invited to attend a weekly one-hour sessions to learn more about My Health Record and how to effectively use it in routine practice. These virtual sessions offer participants the opportunity to ask questions to the instructor and to discuss any issues encountered when using My Health Record.
Using a software simulation platform, the instructor will demonstrate how to:
- access a patient’s My Health Record via conformant software.
- use filters to find documents.
- view documents and overviews.
- enter access codes for patients with protected documents/records.
- upload documents to My Health Record.
- ensure appropriate security and access governance mechanisms are in place.
Everything you want to know about My Health Record: Q+A with subject matter experts
The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) is offering ongoing informal Q&A sessions on My Health Record. The sessions are held every Thursday, from 10am to 10.30am AWST, and are open to healthcare providers and non-clinical staff working within primary care, hospitals and other health settings. You are invited to ask questions in the session or submit them in advance via education@digitalhealth.gov.au.
Register your attendance, or email the ADHA team with any questions.
Recent Events
All webinar recordings are available on the RACP website.
- Digital health tools: My Health Record and electronic prescribing update – 27 January 2022
- My Health Record in the Time of Covid-19 – 24 February 2022
- Introducing Electronic Prescribing to Specialists – 6 April 2022
- Advance Care Planning in Australia – 28 April 2022
New member benefit: discounted Microsoft Surface devices and accessories
ASI Solutions has created an exclusive portal for our Australian members to purchase Microsoft Surface devices and accessories at group discount pricing. Log in to MyRACP and click through to the ASI portal. You will need to set up an account with ASI Solutions to access the offer. If you have any questions, please contact ASI Solutions.
Why Surface?
The business range of Surface devices is uniquely placed to support you in your everyday work and professional learning. Coupled with your choice of the right software and cloud services to meet your unique needs, the beautifully-engineered Surface devices deliver secure access to information and allow deep communication and collaboration wherever you are.
Please note the RACP is publishing this offer as a service to members. Such publication does not constitute endorsement.
*Offers only available to current RACP members that are Australian residents. ASI Solutions respects your privacy. Please read their online Privacy Statement
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