ANAESTHESIA IN WA SPECIAL REPORT: HEALTH REFORM AND ANAESTHESIA DEVELOPMENTS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA In this issue <strong>of</strong> the <strong>ANZCA</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong> we continue our series on anaesthesia <strong>and</strong> pain medicine in state <strong>and</strong> territory jurisdictions, focusing this time on Western Australia. 24 <strong>ANZCA</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong> <strong>June</strong> <strong>2011</strong>
ANAESTHESIA IN THE BIGGEST STATE DR JENNY STEDMON WA REGIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIR DEPUTY HEAD OF ANAESTHESIA (EXTERNAL) FREMANTLE HOSPITAL Western Australia is the largest state in Australia with Perth the most isolated capital city in the world. With the main population focused in Perth itself, but the rest spread wide over regional <strong>and</strong> rural areas, the WA anaesthetic community is faced with unique working conditions <strong>and</strong> challenges. The task <strong>of</strong> the regional committee to be relevant <strong>and</strong> supportive to those in rural <strong>and</strong> metropolitan practice whilst refl ecting the policies <strong>and</strong> concerns <strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong> can be somewhat challenging. We are privileged to have the experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>ANZCA</strong> Past President Dr Wally Thompson <strong>and</strong> Dr Lindy Roberts, the current <strong>College</strong> Vice President. Dr Roberts keeps the committee up to date with the work <strong>of</strong> the Council, <strong>and</strong> her advice to us on terms <strong>of</strong> reference is very useful, as was the recent face to face meeting <strong>of</strong> the regional chairs with the Council at the Hong Kong Combined Scientifi c Meeting (CSM). Early this year the WA <strong>ANZCA</strong> Secretariat was fortunate to move to new permanent premises. The new <strong>of</strong>fi ce provides improved facilities for meetings, examinations <strong>and</strong> other activities, <strong>and</strong> is shared with our colleagues in the <strong>Australian</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Anaesthetists (ASA). The <strong>of</strong>fi ce was <strong>of</strong>fi cially opened by the Honourable Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Leader <strong>of</strong> the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs <strong>and</strong> Shadow Minister for Trade. The opening was well attended by current <strong>and</strong> retired specialists <strong>and</strong> trainees <strong>and</strong> gave us an opportunity to raise the pr<strong>of</strong>i le <strong>of</strong> the specialty as well as to socialise with our colleagues. Western Australia currently has one rotational training program catering for the needs <strong>of</strong> the steadily increasing numbers <strong>of</strong> trainees, 107 as <strong>of</strong> the start <strong>of</strong> <strong>2011</strong>. Current <strong>and</strong> future concerns include the likelihood <strong>of</strong> a degree <strong>of</strong> “block” for some sub specialties, in particular paediatrics, cardiac <strong>and</strong> obstetrics. Regional education <strong>of</strong>fi cer (REO) Dr Jodi Graham, Deputy REO Dr Jay Bruce <strong>and</strong> rotational supervisor Dr Steve Myles, together with the WA <strong>ANZCA</strong> Trainee Committee chaired by Dr Yvette Gainey are working hard to manage <strong>and</strong> continue to develop the scheme. Currently there is signifi cant growth in infrastructure in Western Australia, <strong>and</strong> we expect this will provide new opportunities for training. FIONA STANLEY HOSPITAL Progress in the building <strong>of</strong> the Fiona Stanley Hospital is on time <strong>and</strong> on budget, with the current projected opening in 2014 a reality. It is anticipated it will have the full facilities <strong>of</strong> a leading tertiary hospital, including cardiac, neurosurgery, trauma, paediatrics, obstetrics <strong>and</strong> burns which will create additional opportunities for our trainees to undergo sub specialty training. The recent development <strong>of</strong> enthusiastic <strong>and</strong> productive research departments at South Metro hospitals can be expected to continue with the research facilities at Fiona Stanley. The hospital site is adjacent to St John <strong>of</strong> God, Murdoch, which may <strong>of</strong>fer additional training opportunities as well as foster intercollegiate relationships between colleagues in public <strong>and</strong> private practice. The development <strong>of</strong> clinical services has already begun, with the appointment <strong>of</strong> cluster lead roles <strong>and</strong>, importantly, there is representation <strong>of</strong> our specialty. Dr Gavin Coppinger, Head <strong>of</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Anaesthesia at Fremantle Hospital, holds a cluster co-lead role with Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Fletcher, Clinical Director, Surgical Services Fremantle Hospital, for the development <strong>of</strong> surgical services across South Metro. Their cluster is concerned with the development <strong>of</strong> theatre facilities <strong>and</strong> both elective <strong>and</strong> emergency surgical services, throughout the entire South Metro region. This includes the Royal Perth, Fremantle, Armadale, Rockingham, Bentley <strong>and</strong> the new Fiona Stanley hospitals. (continued next page) <strong>ANZCA</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong> <strong>June</strong> <strong>2011</strong> 25
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