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The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine aims for excellence in the standard of training and practice of Occupational Medicine in Australasia. Occupational Physicians are consultants in the effects of work on health and health on work, and strive continually for acceptable working conditions in all facets of industry. |
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Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
145 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000
ph: (02) 9256 9603
afoem@racp.edu.au
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AFOEM Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 12: Friday 18, June 2010 |
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Welcome to this week's edition of the AFOEM eNews.
These ebulletins are best viewed in html. Simply click on the item of interest (left) and you will be taken straight to that item.
An archive of all previous Newsletters (since 2002) are available on the Faculty website.
As always, if you would like to contribute an item to the next eNewsletter please email a paragraph to afoem@racp.edu.au by Tuesday of the publishing week.
Contact us
Senior Executive Officer AFOEM
Andy Messner
(02) 9256 9602
Andrew.Messner@racp.edu.au
Executive Officer AFOEM
Joanna Oakley
(02) 9256 9608
Joanna.Oakley@racp.edu.au
Administrative Officer AFOEM
Daniel Cheung
(02) 9256 9603
Daniel.Cheung@racp.edu.au
Administrative Officer AFOEM
Josephine Verde
(02) 9256 9603
Josephine.Verde@racp.edu.au
Physician Educator AFOEM
Dr David Goddard
afoem@racp.edu.au
CPD Administrator | AFOEM, AFPHM & AFRM
Natali Vlatko
(02) 8247 6239
Natali.Vlatko@racp.edu.au
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Changes to AFOEM Staff |
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New Faculty Staff Member
We are pleased to welcome Josephine Verde to the the College as the new admin officer for the Faculty. Josephine will start with us on Monday 21 June.
Outgoing Staff
Daniel will be leaving us for greener pastures as a full time student in Speech Pathology from semester 2. Daniel will remain with us for a few weeks yet, providing a handover to Josephine. We plan to have a farewell for Daniel (which will require Daniel's arm to be twisted) in July and will keep you posted on this.
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AFOEM – NSW Continuing Professional Development |
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Wanted: New NSW Volunteers
At the last NSW Regional Committee meeting, we had no new volunteers coming forward to run the NSW Regional Committee.
Those who would like to help out can attend the next meeting on 31 July 2010.
Next CPD Meeting
We are in the process of organizing the meeting on the morning of 31 July at RACP Phillip Street site to inform and help our fellows how to access and use “Attend Anywhere” Video-Conferencing facility for our future Continuing Education.
Please keep this morning free. We will send you more information and confirm the time of this CPD Meeting.
Dr Wing Chan
NSW Regional Committee
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AFOEM Dates For Your Diary |
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AFOEM Marketing Sub-Committee Meeting
- Monday 28, June 2010
- Teleconference 8:30 - 9:30 (AEST)
AFOEM Policy & Advocacy Committee Meeting
- Monday 26, July 2010
- Face to Face in Sydney (RACP, Level 6, 52 Phillip Street, Sydney)
AFOEM Council Meeting
- Thursday 5, August 2010 - Council Annual Planning Day
- Friday 6, August 2010 - Council Meeting
AFOEM Written Examination (Part A & B)
- Saturday 11 - Sunday 12, September 2010
- Various locations (TBC)
AFOEM Practical Examination
- Saturday 6 - Sunday 7, November 2010
- Melbourne VIC
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External Events |
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Occupational Medicine Related Events:
Practical Occupational Health Surveillance Course
Organisational Stress & Psychological Injury
HFESA Professional Development Session - The Supply Chain: Implications for Manual Handling and Legal Interventions
- Wednesday 7, July 2010 | 7pm
- 222 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC
- Attendence is free, RSVP not required
ANZSOM Annual Scientific Meeting
28th Annual AIOH Conference & Exhibition: "Green but Clean"
Other Medical Specialty Related Events:
ITAC 2010 - Smart Aged Care: The E-Health Revolution
Climate Change, Healthcare & Carbon Footprint
HFESA Professional Development Session - Knowledge Through Sharing
- Wednesday 11, August 2010
- Darebin Arts Centre, VIC
2nd Improving the Delivery of Emergency Care
HIC 2010 - Informing the Business of Healthcare
In the Spotlight: Patient Centred Care
Australasian Society Of Aerospace Medicine 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting
- Thursday 16 - Saturday 18, September 2010
- The Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra ACT
- RE: The heart of the nation
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ASM- ANZSOM 17-21 August 2010 |
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ANZSOM is going... Back to the Future
Call for Papers and Participation
Where have we come from and where are we heading in the world of Occupational Health and Safety? What are some solid fundamentals from the past that we need to remember and how can we use these to adapt for the future? How are we exploring new frontiers and approaches? The Annual ANZSOM Scientific Meeting this year will tackle these BIG questions and more in an atmosphere of collegiality and practical learning that members have come to expect and enjoy!
Scientific Program:
- Wednesday – Theme of Day is ergonomics with link up with ergonomic society members; Keynote address by Professor Anne Williamson; invited speakers including Jennifer Long - new technology and visual comfort in the workplace; Dr Tim Driscoll - preventing injury in musicians; Maya Guest - balance and hearing loss
- Thursday – a.m. site visits (Mines Rescue, Mt Tomah Botanic Garden); p.m. free papers & AGM
- Friday – a.m. Invited & free papers - dust diseases; aging; H&S management training; p.m. workshop with Trevor Hall - Creating a positive work environment
- Saturday – Dr Joe Dunn - “Staffalgia: how to handle painful people in the workplace"
Venue:
Step back in time to an era of grace, elegance and charm at the beautifully restored Carrington Hotel where the best of the past meets the needs of the future. Dining, dancing and entertainment are on site. Train or drive to Katoomba, or organise an airport transfer via the Hotel at additional cost.
Social Program:
Depending on numbers interested, a private group tour can be arranged to Jenolan Caves or you can take the hop on – hop off local Explorer bus to major attractions.
Important deadlines:
- 30 May 2010 – Accepted Free Paper abstract submission
- 30 June – Full paper submission
- 3 August – Accommodation bookings (direct with venue using attached booking form)
Further Information and Registration see the attached.
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Your Policy & Advocacy |
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Realising the Health Benefits of Work
The position statement developed by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Realising the Health Benefits of Work, which was launched in Sydney on May 18 and Auckland on May 25 is accessible on the Faculty web page, where the address by international expert Professor Sir Mansel Aylward is also available.
Realising the Health Benefits of Work states that “The evidence is compelling: for most individuals, working improves general health and wellbeing and reduces psychological distress.”
We were delighted that business groups, unions, workers’ compensation authorities, rehabilitation providers and other stakeholders attended both launches. We were gratified by the enthusiastic support for the message of Realising the Health Benefits of Work.
Now attention has turned to how we—as a diverse group of stakeholders—can move from consensus to action.
We have several urgent goals, for which we seek your input and support.
- We ask you to help us raise the profile of the position statement. To this end, we would appreciate it if you could recommend any publications or media we should target with articles about the statement, and what websites we should ask to post links to the position statement. We have considered medical publications, such as the Medical Observer and Australian Doctor, but would like to reach a much broader audience. What do you and your colleagues read?
- We will publish a Consensus Statement regarding the health and wellbeing benefits of work which is to be signed by all key stakeholders. As soon as a draft is completed we will share it with you and seek your feedback. The indication from the launch is that a broad group of stakeholders will sign onto the consensus statement, including medical bodies, unions, business groups and regulators. Who else should be involved?
In addition to these two urgent priorities we are soon to commence work on:
- A third position statement that addresses the issues of health and productivity in the workplace. If you are interested in being on the working group for this position statement, please let us know.
We intend to maintain the momentum achieved with the launch of Realising the Health Benefits of Work. You can help us do this by:
- Forwarding us your suggestions for publications and websites through which we can publicise Realising the Health Benefits of Work. We would appreciate it if you could have these to us by 2 July 2010.
- Helping us develop the Consensus Statement about the health and wellbeing benefits of work. The first step is compiling a list of potential signatories. Please send your suggestions by 2 July 2010.
- Assisting with the development of a health and productivity position statement. Please send us your nominations for participation in the working group by 9 July 2010.
Please forward your responses on the above to Andrew Messner at the Faculty Office, andrew.messner@racp.edu.au. We look forward to working with you on these important projects.
Dr Robin Chase
President, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
NSW Public Health Impact Award 2010
Do you know of a person working in NSW who has made a significant impact on an important public health issue beyond the call of duty?
The NSW Branch of the Public Health Association Australia is currently inviting nominations for this award. Nominations should address the following criteria:
- Made a significant impact on an important public health issue in Australia, particularly in NSW
- Developed innovative solutions to problems
- Demonstrated a high degree of excellence
- Overcame substantial barriers in the design, implementation or evaluation of a program of work
- Documented their efforts so others may benefit
- Generated public and/or professional enthusiasm and support for a public health initiative; and
- Promoted the concept of public health.
You may nominate yourself or someone you know. Nominees are not required to be a member of the PHAA and do not need to be working in health. To nominate a person, please download the nomination form by clicking on the link
Closing date for Nominations is 21 June 2010.
The winner of the Impact Award 2010 will be announced at the PHAA NSW Branch Annual General Meeting on 15 July 2010. For further information please contact: PHAA NSW Branch, Sarah Thackway Sthac@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
NSW Branch Public Health Association (NSW PHA)
Annual Public Health Address
Dinner and AGM
When: 15 July 2010
What time: 6.00 - 6.30pm Arrival and pre-dinner drinks
Key note address: National Health Reform: Where is it going?
John Deeble AO Emeritus Fellow, Australian National University
He was co-author of the original proposals for universal health insurance in 1968, Principal Adviser to the Whitlam and Hawke governments in the introduction of Medibank and Medicare and Chairman of the Planning Committees for both schemes. He was a Commissioner of the Health Insurance Commission for 16 years to mid-2000, Founding Director of the AIHW, First Assistant Secretary of the Medicare Division of the Department of Health and an adviser to the governments of South Africa, Hungary, Turkey and Indonesia on health care health financing.
For 15 years to 2005, he was Senior Fellow in Epidemiology and Adjunct Professor of Economics in the ANU.
Venue: Darlington Centre Forum Restaurant
University of Sydney, 174 City Road, Darlington NSW
Closest bus stop is on City Road outside No. 174. Train stations are Newtown & Redfern
Please RSVP by 9 July 2010 to Suri Rezaee at mreza@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Payment by cheque or cash prior to the event.
RACP Submission on the Whole Body Perfusion (Cardiac Bypass) Services Consultation Paper
The Department of Health and Ageing is seeking submissions on the current Medicare arrangements for the payment of whole body perfusion services.
A consultation paper has been released which outlines how perfusion services are provided and funded in Australia. The paper may be accessed via this link.
The Policy & Advocacy Unit invites you to provide a written submission addressing issues that may be of relevance to you. The submission should be sent to mary.osborn@racp.edu.au by 23 July 2010.
RACP submission on the “Responsible Takeaway Alcohol Hours Bill 2010”
On 13 May 2010 the Senate, on the recommendation of the Selection of Bills Committee, referred the Responsible Takeaway Alcohol Hours Bill 2010 [introduced by Senator Fielding] to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 25 October 2010.
The Bill may be accessed via the link: Legislation and documentation relating to the Bill.
This Bill is for an Act to restrict the hours during which takeaway alcoholic beverages can be sold. It is proposed that these beverages cannot be sold during the hours from midnight to 7am on any day.
The Policy & Advocacy Unit invites you to provide a written submission addressing issues that may be of relevance to you. The submission should be sent to mary.osborn@racp.edu.au by 1 July 2010.
Images Needed for Tobacco Product Warning Testing
The Australian Government is now undertaking to refine, improve and update the current health warning images, statements and explanatory messages that appear on cigarette packs and other tobacco products.
There is currently not enough new images to proceed to market testing, so the medical profession are invited to submit images suitable for use on tobacco product packaging that depict any of the broad range of health and social impacts related to tobacco use, including:
- the heath effects of current graphic health warnings, in particular emphysema and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancers, heart disease, nicotine addiction, toxic chemicals, and quitting
- general mortality such as corpses and/or autopsies
- quitting, encouraging quitting or demonstrating the benefits of quitting
- smoking related health effects particularly relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s) such as diabetes and kidney disease
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s) with smoking related illness
- infertility and impotence; and
- poor physical fitness and/or shortness of breath.
The images will only be used for testing. Should they prove suitable, formal copyright approval may be sought. Images are required by 30 June 2010 and should be sent to sharyn.walsh@health.gov.au. For more information click here.
Medical Device Safety National Workshop, 25 June 2010 (Sydney)
On behalf of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, you are invited to attend a national workshop on Medical Device Safety being held in Sydney on Friday 25 June. Information on the workshop, including the program is available on the Commission’s website at Medical Device Safety National Workshop.
Dr Rohan Hammett, the National Manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will present at the workshop and Dr Brian Richards will give an overview of the 2009 Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review, available here. In addition, a number of national experts will present case studies on device assessment and incidents.
The cost of registration for the workshop is $75 (inclusive of GST). Registrations are now open here. If you have any further queries, please contact Kylie Willows by email: kylie.willows@safetyandquality.gov.au
or by telephone (02) 9263 3593 or Neville Board on (02) 9263 3587.
The Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine (VELiM)
Invites you to be part of the audience for the screening of “Wrong Side of the Bus” and join in the discussion following the film with Professor Sidney Bloch, Professor Raimond Gaita, Dr Danielle Celermajer and the film’s producer Rod Freedman.
This event is free and will take place in the Wallace Theatre at the University of Sydney on Tuesday 22 June at 6pm. Further information is available here.
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Medical Board of Australia - Consultation Paper 4 |
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Feedback Wanted
The Medical Board of Australia recently published "consultation paper 4". It includes:
- Registration Standard – granting general registration to medical practitioners in the standard pathway who hold an AMC certificate
- Guideline - for supervised practice for limited registration
You can access the paper via this link.
The Board would appreciate any feedback you may have. If you wish to provide comments on this paper, please lodge a written submission in electronic form, marked 'Consultation paper 4' at chair@medicalboard.gov.au by close of business on 5 July 2010.
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CPD Enquiries |
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Fret Not, You're In Good Hands
Should you have any enquiries with your CPD submission, please email mycpd@racp.edu.au or phone (02) 8247 6239.
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Changes To OMJ Subscription Process |
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Are You Subscribed?
The OMJ, Oxford University Press, UK, is an optional extra given to all Faculty members. Through the AFOEM, our members receive a significant discount for a 12-month subscription.
In order to ensure that all Faculty members only pay every 12-months for an annual subscription to the Occupational Medicine Journal we have removed the option to subscribe to the OMJ on your RACP Fellow Annual Subscription Invoice.
A renewal notice will be emailed to you within 6 weeks of your subscription expiration. Should you wish to continue your OMJ subscription, please return the renewal notice at your earliest convenience. Please take this opportunity to verify your postal address for delivery purposes.
Please note that Occupational Medicine is a quaterly issue.
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Newsletter Input |
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For Occupational Physicians. By Occupational Physicians
Contributions to the AFOEM Newsletter is always welcome (the monkey has apparently run out of jokes so we're counting on you now!). Whether it be an event that you think would be of interest to fellow colleagues in the same field, or a position vacancy within your organisation, or even a report on a course you had attended and found worthwhile, please email a paragraph to afoem@racp.edu.au by Tuesday of the publishing week for inclusion into the Newsletter.
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Changed Your Contact Details Recently? |
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Postman Pat & His Black and White Cat
AFOEM hopes to maintain a lifelong relationship with you, but to do so it is important that we keep your up-to-date details. Please notify us if you have recently changed your contact details.
Find A Consultant
As a Fellow of the AFOEM, you may have your business contact details published on the Faculty website for the general public to search. Should you wish to be featured on the AFOEM "Find A Consultant" tool (found on the Faculty website), please write a short email addressed to Daniel Cheung with the required information you wish to be published. Please note that you will not be added to the webpage unless you have provided consent to the Faculty Office.
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The Fine Print |
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Disclaimer
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.
There may be websites and/or events linked to and from this communique that are operated or created by or for organisations outside of The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Those organisations are solely responsible for the operation and information(including the right to display such information) found on their respective websites.The linking to or from this communique does not imply on the part of the AFOEM any endorsement or guarantee of any of the organisations or information found on their respective websites.
The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environment Medicine does not assume and is not responsible for any liability whatsoever for the linking of any of these linked websites and/or events, the operation or content of any of the linked websites nor for any of the information, interpretation, comments or opinions expressed in any of the linked websites. Any comments or inquiries regarding the linked websites and/or events are to be directed to the particular organisation for whom the particular website and/or event is being operated.
Unless stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of AFOEM.
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