Welcome back and a happy new year to all!

Over the break, we've made a few changes to our website. Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the following updated webpages:

• 2009 Faculty Calendar
• Trainee notices
• Fees
• News & Announcements

These ebulletins are best viewed in html. Simply click on the item of interest (left) and you will be taken straight to that item. Please note that the previous editions of the eNewsletter are also available on the Faculty website: Media & News > eNewsletters.

As always, if you would like to contribute an item to the next eNewsletter please email a paragraph to afoem@racp.edu.au.

Although AFOEM takes all reasonable steps to ensure this email does not contain malicious software, AFOEM does not accept responsibility for the consequences if any person's computer inadvertently suffers any disruption to services, loss of information, harm or is infected with a virus, other malicious computer program or code that may occur as a consequence of receiving this email.

Unless stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of AFOEM.

Important Dates For Your Diaries

For a more detailed AFOEM calendar, please visit the Faculty website: Media & News > 2009 AFOEM Calendar

RATs Teleconference

• Thursday, 15 January 2009
• 1:00PM-2:30PM AEST

Trainee TRS (JUL-DEC 08) Deadline

• Saturday, 31 January
• Signed my Mentor & Censor/Director of Training
• Fax/Email/Mail to AFOEM office

WOMIG 2009 Workshop

• Friday 27 February - Sunday 1 March, 2009
• Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand

AFOEM Annual Training Meeting 2009

• Saturday May 16 - Sunday May 17, 2009
• James Packer Auditorium, RPA Hospital, Camperdown NSW

Physicians Week 2009

• Sunday May 17 - Wednesday 20, 2009
• Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW

AFOEM Annual Scientific Meeting 2009

• Tuesday 19 May - Wednesday 20 May, 2009
• Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW

RACP College Ceremony

• Sunday 17 May, 2009
• Sydney, TBC

New Zealand Trainees: 2009 WOMIG Workshop

Westpac Stadium | Wellington, New Zealand

Topics covered:

• Essentials of epidemiology and statistics
• Core clinical skills for the occupational physician
• A systematic approach to OH&S
• Models of hazard management
• Planning your training
• How to approach the examination
• Worksite visits
• And more!

For further details, please contact Margaret Macky:

• P: +64 4 918 4219
• F: +64 3 918 7690
• E: margaret.macky@acc.co.nz

Registration form (PDF) is available at: Training Program > Trainee Notices.

Registration deadline: 23 January, 2009

Trainee Status Reports

The Status Report is the main device for monitoring a trainee’s progress throughout the program and helping the trainee plan their training. It is used to provide formative feedback to the trainee from the Mentor and Regional DoT. The report also provides confirmation of the trainee’s status as Active or Inactive.

The six monthly training periods are:

• 1 January – 30 June (to be submitted by 31 July) 
• 1 July – 31 December (to be submitted by 31 January)

The trainee is responsible for ensuring that the Mentor and Regional DoT sign the report form, and that this is submitted to the Faculty office by the due date. There should be no exemption from this unless in exceptional circumstances (for which application must be made to the Education Committee).

Thank you for those who have already mailed/faxed their Status Reports in.

Physicians Week 2009: Call for Abstracts

Physicians Week 2009 will feature an exciting educational meeting that will include contributions from the divisions and facilities of the College. Physicians Week is welcoming contributions from fellows and trainees toward the program. Abstract submissions are now open and available on the website. For program information and information on abstract submissions for each faculty or division, please visit their section of the program page. All Congress information can be found at www.physiciansweek.com. We look forward to seeing you in Sydney.

Positions Vacant

Two new positions have been added to the Faculty website: News & Media > Positions Vacant.

Health for Industry (VIC/TAS)

• Director of Medical Services
• Closing date: January 30, 2009

Sydney Airport Medical Centre (NSW - Mascot/Wollongong)

• Primary care position
• Mixture of general practice, WorkCover primary care and occupational health
• 2 days per week (Mascot) + 3 days per week (Wollongong)
• Ideal for AFOEM trainee

Invite for the Provision of Occupational Medicine Services

Council would like to invite medical providers to provide occupational medical services to the Occupational Health Unit of Brisbane City Council. As the AFOEM administration officer we would be grateful if you could please circulate this invitation to your Qld branch members.

If practitioners are interested in receiving a Request for Tender, we ask that they please contact us before 12 noon Thursday 15 January 2009. Contact details:

Mary Finucane, Principal Health Advisor, Brisbane City Council via

Email: Mary.Finucane@Brisbane.qld.gov.au or

Level 22 Occupational Health
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane
Qld 4001

If further details are required please telephone Mary Finucane on (07) 340 39192

CPD Grant

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) grant is an initiative set up by the RACP to promote and support educational initiatives for Fellows' CPD. The grant is intended as a seed fund to provide financial assistance for the organisation of an educational activity or set of acitivites for a community of Fellows that contribute to the CPD of Fellows. The grant is not intended to cover all costs involved.

Read more about it here.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the 2009 CPD grant application kit, please contact the CPD unit of the Education Deanery via email christine.jusuf@racp.edu.au or phone 02 8247 6239.

Closing date for applications is 31 March, 2009. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered.

Training Fees For 2009

On Friday, 5 December 2008, the RACP Board endorsed the AFOEM Council's recommendation to increase training fees for 2009. Click here to read a letter from AFOEM President Ross Mills outlining the reasons for the increase and the new fee structure.

The new fee structure is available for public viewing on the AFOEM website at: Training Program > Fees.

To comment or ask questions about the new fee structure, please email Andrew Messner (EOAFOEM).