Member representation – December summary
In the September edition of DiT Update we published our activities in that month to demonstrate the breadth of our representation and advocacy on behalf of our DiT (Doctors-in-Training) members. Our work momentum has continued until this month, as you can see by this list of highlights from representation and meetings in November;
- Requiring Southern Health to pay the 1 October AMA DIT Agreement salary increase
- Requiring Bendigo Health’s to improve the restructure of its Medical Workforce Unit
- Advising on Learned College Appeals (3 separate occasions)
- Managing Southern Health attempt to recover alleged overpayments to its 2011 Registrar year 1 (HM25) employees
- Tribunal appearances (classifications, overtime, training time compliance) (3 separate occasions)
- Performance management representation (2 separate occasions)
- Enforcing of Parental Leave entitlements
- Enforcement of Registrar free from service Training Time (2 separate occasions)
- Enforcing clinically safe rostering practice
- Meeting with AHPRA on DiT and IMG registration issues
DiT on site member meetings
AMA Victoria’s Senior Industrial Adviser, Andrew Lewis, visited 68 hospitals to meet with DiTs throughout 2011. AMA Victoria is dedicated to keeping members informed. We also want to provide DiTs with multiple opportunities to be heard. Read more about AMA Victoria’s DiT hospital meetings and topics for 2011 on the website.
Alfred Health – Federal Tribunal Dispute
What the dispute is about?
We argue that under the AMA DIT Agreement 2008 - 2012 Alfred Health cannot stop rotation DiTs from salary packaging when rotated to Mildura and cannot undermine rotation DiTs access to their rotation entitlements (i.e. subsidised board & lodging, travel allowances and secondment allowance).
What happened at the Tribunal hearing?
On 17 October, Justice Kaufman of the Federal Workplace Tribunal held a full day hearing. We had previously filed a 17,000 word written submission and called five witnesses on the day.
We were incensed by Alfred Health’s tactics. Rather than countering the facts and merits of AMA’s submission, Alfred instead used a Barrister to raise multiple technical legal arguments purely in an attempt to stop the proceedings. This included the argument that the DiT applicants had no right to go to the Tribunal. Never before has a Victorian public hospital sought to prevent our DiT members from having their case heard. His Honour said, in response to Alfred’s tactics, “is there any merit in this case from (Alfred Health’s) point of view?. I fail to see it” (PN1217 – PN1219 Transcript of proceedings).
Recently, His Honour has asked the parties to lodge further written submission on a technical matter he has raised. We now expect decision to be handed down early 2012. Members will be advised of the outcome.
DiT Classifications - Federal Tribunal Dispute
We have now called through Concilliation hearings before Gooley C. of the Federal Workplace Tribunal. We allege hospitals are incorrectly interpreting several aspects of the AMA DIT Agreement 2008 - 2012 classification structure.
While the issue of PGY-4s being classified as HMO-3 remains the issue where AMA and hospitals are most divided, there are several other issues that we are confident can be fixed. These include:
- A Registrar’s CV, not the Registrar’s classification, determines the years of experience that must be formerly recognised.
- A Medical Officer (MO) with four years of experience can not be classified HMO (either the next MO experience increment or Registrar classifications apply).
- A “new entry” into the HMO or Registrar stream is not held to “translation”. A new entry means:
- Recruited from interstate or overseas after 1 February 2011; OR employed in Victoria then resigned to work Interstate, then, after 1 February 2011 returned to Victoria.
For advice on your 2011 or 2012 contract classification call the Workplace & Advocacy Unit on (03) 9280 8722.
Correction - Public Holidays for Monday to Friday rostered DiTs
In the December edition of VicDoc our article on Planning leave over the Christmas break states that DiTs rostered from Monday to Friday are allowed Wednesday 28 of December as a deemed public holiday in lieu of Boxing Day. This is incorrect. December 28 2011 is not a public holiday.
We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. |
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Only two weeks left to renew your membership and go into the prize draw.
Don’t leave your 2012 membership renewal too late, you could miss out the chance to win some great prizes.
Renew your membership before 5pm, Wednesday 21 December and go into the draw to win a $2000 travel voucher, 3G iPad2 & 64GB Wi-Fi or one of ten $100 David Jones gift vouchers.
Renew online and get another chance to win, with all members who have renewed online going into the bonus prize draw to win a $300 Red Balloon experience.
There are only two weeks left before the draw closes. Renew your membership before Christmas and continue to receive full access to membership benefits and services in 2012.
Superman goes to the aid of injured pedestrian
Member, Dr Heng K Cheok, made the papers this week after he went to the aid of a pedestrian after being hit by a a car last weekend. This evening also happened to be the night he was celebrating his buck’s party, dressed quite appropriately in Superman costume! Read the full article in the Herald Sun.
We are currently negotiating overtime payment for Dr Cheok’s “alter ego”. We applaud you Dr Cheok; no doubt your quick actions saved this patient’s life.
AHPRA launches online applications for provisional registrants
Medical interns with provisional registration can apply online now for general registration, with confirmation later provided by employers that the internship has been successfully completed.
The National Boards that regulate medical practitioners have also changed the documentation requirements for this group of applicants, to streamline the transition from provisional to general registration. Provisional registrants do not need to resupply documentation already provided to AHPRA when they apply for general registration. Details about the documentation requirements are published at www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Provisional-to-General-Registration.aspx.
Anyone with provisional registration who needs to make a declaration about criminal history or impairment should apply for general registration early, as their application will take longer to process. For more information visit the AHPRA website.
Participate in a research study to help better educate novice doctors about CPR practice
International studies have shown that participating in CPR is one of the activities that cause most concern to graduating doctors.
Dr Peter Barton, Senior Lecturer in the Department of General Practice at Monash University, is about to embark on a research study to explore these issues in an effort to understand how medical students can be better prepared for CPR beyond graduation. This study has Monash University ethics consent.
Dr Barton would like to hear from junior doctors within two years of graduating from medical school who have recently participated in CPR. An interview will be conducted at time and location of your choice. You voluntary contribution of valuable experience could make a big difference to future trainees.
For more information and to assist please contact Dr Barton at peter.barton@monash.edu or 0430 375 752.
2012 EBA negotiations - Have your say
In the new year AMA Victoria will be entering into negotiations for the new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) on our behalf. The DiT subdivision has already had significant input into the EBA strategic planning, and our Senior IR advisor, Mr Andrew Lewis, has been visiting resident's quarters across the state to get your opinions. If you want to have further input, talk to your local AMA DiT representative, call AMA Victoria at (03) 9280 8722 or email Andrew Lewis at andrewl@amavic.com.au.
Refugee Health Program
DiT Education and Professional Development Officer, Dr Linny Kimly Phuong, has established the Refugee Health Program in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Foundation House and Spectrum.
The aims of the program are to link volunteer junior doctors with refugee and migrant groups to provide health education talks. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Dr Phuong at linny.kimly@gmail.com.
Refer a Colleague
Why not mention your AMA Victoria membership to your friends and colleagues and prompt them to join. Sometimes all we need is a trusted friend or colleague to encourage us to make the next move.
Refer your colleague for AMA Victoria membership and if they join you go into the draw to win a $500 David Jones voucher. That’s all your Christmas shopping sorted! Don’t miss out; this promotion ends on the 21 December.
2012 DiT Guide
The 2012 DiT Guide has now been released. Find out how you can save on products and services provided by AMA Victoria’s preferred providers. The guide is also a way of informing you about how AMA Victoria will be support you and DiT members through advocacy and lobbying.
The guide is available for all members to download here.
Auscellar Door
Auscellar Door has released some great offers for the DiT Wine Club just in time for the holiday season. Take advantage of these great offers today.
Exam Fellowship Discount - Are you eligible?
We undertstand the high costs associated with the Fellowship process for Regisrations. AMA Victoria can help eligible members by offering 25% off the Registrar subscription.
This one off discount is available to Fellowship Exam Candidates with a minimum of 4 full consecutive years of AMA Victoria membership
Conditions apply. For more information and to check your eligibility please contact member services on (03) 9280 8722.
The AMA Federal newsletter for DiTs: e-dit
This month’s e-dit has information about the new AMACDT (AMA Council of Doctors-in-Training) Chair, Dr Rob Mitchell. This e-newsletter also has some handy information about current issues and seminars for DiTs. .
Women in Medicine: Raising funds for ovarian cancer research.
New date: Monday 27 February, 2012
To all inspiring women working in medicine, you are invited to attend the next Women in Medicine event. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). Be inspired by representatives from the OCRF, doctors who work with ovarian cancer patients, as well as an ovarian cancer survivor who is brave enough to share her story. Your emcee for the evening will be Channel Ten personality, Helen Kapalos.
There will be a raffle draw with some great prizes up for grabs. All proceeds from raffle ticket sales will also go to the OCRF. Plus, all attendees receive a complimentary gift bag filled with lovely items donated by our generous supporters.
Purchase your tickets here and enjoy a lovely evening whilst helping us raise funds for a worthy cause. Hurry, places are limited.
Leading in Medical Care: AMA National Conference 2012
We are pleased to confirm the 2012 National Conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne on the 25 - 27 May 2012. Registrations open on Friday 16 December. Visit the AMA Federal webpage for more information.
Upcoming events
Friday 13 January: 2012 Intern Reception
Monday 27 February: Women in Medcine |
