New South Wales News
May 2010
Dear ASEM Member (NSW),
I am back from leave just in time for the winter Access Block. A thief stole my purse during my first shift back. I am told that Mr. Rudd is going to reduce total length of stay for any patient in the Emergency Department to below four hours. I do not understand how he is going to accomplish this feat. Perhaps he will employ people to push patients through in the same manner that they push patients onto overloaded trains in some cities.
As I mentioned in our last contact, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine has announced the formation of an Educational Advisory Group. (EAG)The College has expressed an interest in the training needs of non specialists in Emergency Medicine. The first meeting of th AEG will be held on Thursday 1st July 2010 at the Collage headquarters in Melbourne. I am attending as an invited member of the group.
ASEM CAN HAVE A SAY IN THIS GROUP THROUGH ME AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.
However, I need to know your views and ideas for the future. Please give me some input so that I can try to achieve something worthwhile.
Do not forget to register for the Spring Seminar on Emergency Medicine 2010. It is being held at the
Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour,NSW 28 September-1 October.Remember that financial ASEM Members recieve a $100 discount on registration if they present their voucher at time of payment.
If you have any issues to raise via ASEM, at gmcinerney@asem.org.au
Regards
Gayle McInerney, NSW Councillor ASEM
March 2010
Dear ASEM Member (NSW),
I am pleased to be able to report some good news in our current environment of Emergency Department overload and financial crises.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is currently developing a Certificate and Diploma of Emergency Medicine for non-specialist doctors working in emergency departments.
The College for Emergency Medicine has announced the formation of an Educational Advisory Group. The primary role of this Educational Advisory Group is to work with the Director of Education, Alana Killen, to provide advice on the development of educational resources, initiatives and programs identified by the College as a result of needs assessment and strategic priority.
In the first two years, it is anticipated that a large proportion of the work will relate to the Training and
Assessment Review Project, although the EAG will also advise on other educational initiatives
such as Non Specialist training.
Some of the initial work of the group will entail assessing and evaluating learning materials and resources contributed by individuals and organisations for use on ACEM's new e-Learning site. Further projects will be determined by the Board of Education, Council and results of the Training and Assessment Review which is about to commence.
Since ASEM has a strong interest in Non Specialist training in Emergency Medicine, I applied to become a member of the Educational Advisory Group. I am delighted to report that my application was successful. I believe that ASEM should have input into the College initiative. I hope for the support of ASEM members in this educational project.
The second "good news" item is the commencement of the Hospital Skills Program.
Non specialist doctors who work in Emergency Medicine in public hospitals in NSW are invited to enroll in the program. It is early days yet. However, the first steps have been taken . Career Medical Officers, Multi-skilled Medical Officers, Senior Residents, Hospitalists and GPs with a role in Emergency Medicine within a hospital are being offered a training package ( This is still being developed and some Area Health Services have made more progress than others.)
To enroll, visit www.imet.health.nsw.gov.au and follow the prompts!
On a more sour note, clinical documentation in FirstNet Cerner electronic records remains a problem in Emergency Departments. Should ASEM get inviolved in this debate? I would appreciate your comments.
If you have any issues to raise via ASEM, please contact me on:
gayle_mcinerney@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
Regards
Gayle McInerney
May 2009
Dear ASEM NSW Member,
I am afraid that Winter has set in early this year. Access block at my hospital is five times what it was just a month ago.
It cannot be the Swine Flu, although we have had a number of rather unusual presentations. One lady announced that she though she had Swine Flu because she had eaten in a Mexican restaurant in Parramatta.
Let us think about something more pleasant. Broome is the venue for the 2009 Spring Seminar on Emergency Medicine. You should have received your brochure by now together with you voucher for the $100 discount on the cost of registration. The scientific program looks great and I can recommend the social activities. I was in Broome in 2005 and I am keen to go again. I missed the Staircase to the Moon last visit and want to see it this time.
I mentioned in my last ASEM contact email that Dr Aniello Iannussi had joined the ASEM council and accepted the portfolio of liaison between ASEM and ACRRM. He is presenting himself as an AMA Predidential candidate at the 2009 National Conference.
I will be away on leave during the next few months. If you have any issues to raise via ASEM, please contact the ASEM Office Manager, at info@asem.org.au
Regards
Gayle McInerney
(NSW Councilor)
Christmas 2008
I have just returned from a family holiday. I ask your understanding regarding my tardy behaviour in not contacting you since the last Spring Seminar on Emergency Medicine.
Speaking of the Spring Seminar in Twin Waters, Queensland 2008, the conference was yet again a great success. Each year, I think to myself that Conference Magic and the conference organising committees have provided the "best conference ever". Yet each year the Spring Seminar for Emergency Medicine has something new and exciting to offer.
The venue for the Spring Seminar, Twin Waters was excellent and very family friendly. The emphasis of the educational component was once again on workshops and interaction.
Spring Seminar 2009 is in Broome. I am keen to attend. The initial educational program looks sound and the opportunities for the social program are spectacular. The dates correspond to an opportunity to view the famous Stairway to the Moon. I have always wanted to see that phenomenon. I would also like to see the Horizontal Waterfall if I can overcome my fear of small places. There are so many sight seeing opportunities. The venue is Cable Beach. The sunsets into the sea are unbelievable.
I have completed my two year term as ASEM President but remain as Councillor for NSW. The new President, Dr Peter Roberts will be sending you a Christmas message along with the ASEM Voucher for $100 discount on registration at the Broome Spring Seminar. The Voucher has to be presented at the time of registration for the Spring Seminar. Put is away in a safe place until it is time to use it!
The Silver Jubilee 25th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine was held in Wellington in November. The Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine was formed in 1981. In 1983 the Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine provided funds to help the establishment of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and elected the first Foundation Fellows of the College. Until 1991, the Society and the College had joint responsibility for the Annual Scientific Meeting. Since 1986, the Society has awarded a prize for the best trainee's paper at the Annual Scientific Meeting. In 2008, the prize winner was Dr Tent Lipp from Royal Brisbane Hospital for his paper entitled "Patient Controlled Sedation with Protocol for Emergency Department Procedures".
If you have any issues too raise via ASEM, please contact me on:
gayle_mcInerney@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
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