ANZCA Bulletin June 2011 - Australian and New Zealand College of ...

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
and rural areas, the WA anaesthetic
community is faced with unique working
conditions and challenges. The task of
the regional committee to be relevant
and supportive to those in rural and
metropolitan practice whilst refl ecting
the policies and concerns of the College
can be somewhat challenging. We
are privileged to have the experience
of ANZCA Past President Dr Wally
Thompson and Dr Lindy Roberts, the
current College Vice President. Dr
Roberts keeps the committee up to
date with the work of the Council, and
her advice to us on terms of reference
is very useful, as was the recent face to
face meeting of the regional chairs with
the Council at the Hong Kong Combined
Scientifi c Meeting (CSM).
Early this year the WA ANZCA Secretariat
was fortunate to move to new permanent
premises. The new offi ce provides
improved facilities for meetings,
examinations and other activities, and
is shared with our colleagues in the
Australian Society of Anaesthetists
(ASA). The offi ce was offi cially opened
by the Honourable Julie Bishop MP,
Deputy Leader of the Opposition,
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Shadow Minister for Trade. The opening
was well attended by current and retired
specialists and trainees and gave us an
opportunity to raise the profi le of the
specialty as well as to socialise with our
colleagues.
Western Australia currently has one
rotational training program catering for
the needs of the steadily increasing
numbers of trainees, 107 as of the start
of 2011. Current and future concerns
include the likelihood of a degree of
“block” for some sub specialties, in
particular paediatrics, cardiac and
obstetrics. Regional education offi cer
(REO) Dr Jodi Graham, Deputy REO Dr
Jay Bruce and rotational supervisor
Dr Steve Myles, together with the WA
ANZCA Trainee Committee chaired by
Dr Yvette Gainey are working hard to
manage and continue to develop the
scheme. Currently there is signifi cant
growth in infrastructure in Western
Australia, and we expect this will provide
new opportunities for training.
FIONA STANLEY HOSPITAL
Progress in the building of the Fiona
Stanley Hospital is on time and on
budget, with the current projected
opening in 2014 a reality. It is
anticipated it will have the full facilities
of a leading tertiary hospital, including
cardiac, neurosurgery, trauma,
paediatrics, obstetrics and burns which
will create additional opportunities for
our trainees to undergo sub specialty
training. The recent development of
enthusiastic and 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
of God, Murdoch, which may offer
additional training opportunities as well
as foster intercollegiate relationships
between colleagues in public and private
practice. The development of clinical
services has already begun, with the
appointment of cluster lead roles and,
importantly, there is representation
of our specialty. Dr Gavin Coppinger,
Head of Department of Anaesthesia
at Fremantle Hospital, holds a cluster
co-lead role with Professor David
Fletcher, Clinical Director, Surgical
Services Fremantle Hospital, for the
development of surgical services across
South Metro. Their cluster is concerned
with the development of theatre facilities
and both elective and emergency
surgical services, throughout the entire
South Metro region. This includes the
Royal Perth, Fremantle, Armadale,
Rockingham, Bentley and the new Fiona
Stanley hospitals.
(continued next page)
ANZCA Bulletin June 2011 25