As we approach the holiday season, I expect we are all looking forward to some well earned rest and recreation. It has been another big year for the AANMS with so much happening that I cannot do justice to all the detail in a simple newsletter.
We have been working on the lutetium PSMA MSAC application, working with various groups to promote and facilitate the new field of theranostics and to advocate for its safe and effective delivery of to our patients. We have met recently with RACP, RANZCR, MSAC committees, DOH and ANZSNM.
Our new General Manager, Lisa is going from strength to strength learning the intricacies of our speciality, and Ann remains ever essential and diligent in all facets of our work but always clearly focussed on managing the needs of our trainees effectively.
Expression of Interest (EoI) – AANMS Theranostics Committee Members
As you are aware, the AANMS released its Theranostics Position Statement in June 2021. The AANMS Board is convening a Theranostics Committee to assist the Board in managing this developing field.
The key duties of the AANMS Theranostics Committee will include, but not be limited to:
- promotion of the safe delivery of theranostics services in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
- design and implementation of an AANMS Theranostics Curriculum
- review and revision of the AANMS’s Position Paper, in line with local and international standards
- design and implementation of an AANMS Theranostics Course
- expansion of theranostics tools and resources to improve the delivery of theranostics services in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
- continuous development of policy regarding maintenance of standards for theranostics service delivery
Committee members will be appointed for a two-year term and will be eligible for reappointment for a further two terms.
The initial focus will be on the development and delivery of an education course for our members.
Fellows/Members of the AANMS with an interest and experience in theranostics are invited to submit an Expression of Interest for membership on this AANMS Theranostics Committee.
The Committee’s Terms of Reference may be viewed here. Please read these Terms of Reference before applying.
Please contact Lisa Maddocks at gm@aanms.org.au for any further information.
To apply please submit an Expression of Interest form and a current CV to: General Manager, AANMS: gm@aanms.org.au
The closing date is Friday 14 January 2022.
Indexation in Nuclear Medicine
Our indexation campaign is in full swing and we are working tirelessly with our Government Relations Management Group on the marketing and promotion of indexation in nuclear medicine.
We will make a submission to the federal budget regarding this important issue. If you would like to make your own submission, the link to the pre-budget submissions page can be found here, The deadline is 28 January 2022.
RACP: Nuclear Medicine Rotations in Basic Physician Training
Our discussions with RACP to have a nuclear medicine rotation for basic physician trainees accepted as core training in the BPT program remains positive and we have had two meetings with them since my last update.
We have an agreed way forward and will submitting a detailed case for the Basic Training Committee’s review early in the new year. I hope this will translate into a satisfactory outcome.
RACP: MyCPD Program Upgrade
- For our physician members, the RACP MyCPD program has introduced changes that will assist participants with recording their CPD.
- Notifications – just like social media apps, you will now get now get notifications when logging into MyCPD advising of key dates, and other CPD related information.
- Badges – provide a quick and easy snapshot of completed and remaining requirements so that you can track your progress in real-time.
- Integration with our Online Learning platform – educational activities completed via our Online Learning platform will now automatically record to your CPD record.
- You can now record activities in 30-minute increments.
- Professional Development Planning e.g., linking goals, activities to your PDPs using a more intuitive system.
Please contact the RACP’s CPD Team if you have any questions or suggestions for future enhancements.
AU: 1300 697 227 or MyCPD@racp.edu.au
NZ: 64 4 460 8122 or MyCPD@racp.org.nz
Positions Available for Nuclear Medicine Physicians / Specialists
I-MED Radiology has a number of roles available in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania, as follows:
- Hornsby (NSW) – dual-trained radiologist – part-time
- Hobart (TAS) – physician or dual-trained radiologist – full-time
- Launceston (TAS) – physician or dual-trained radiologist
- Albury (NSW) – physician or dual-trained radiologist
- Bundaberg (QLD) – physician or dual-trained radiologist
- Caboolture (QLD) – dual-trained radiologist
For further information please contact:
Leanne O’Brien, Recruitment Specialist, I-MED Radiology Network
E: Leanne.OBrien@i-med.com.au
T: 0456 602 703
Department of Health: recent announcements
There have been two recent announcements from the Australian Department of Health:
The first of those concerns permanent MBS arrangements for patient access to telehealth services as at 1 January 2022.
The second concerns an extension of the human biosecurity emergency to 17 February 2022 under Section 475 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 in relation to human coronavirus. The Department will apply a relaxed interpretation of the rules for personal attendance for MSK ultrasound and the supervision rules for nuclear medicine imaging services (including PET); information can be found here.
Christmas Wishes
On behalf of the Board and Secretariat of the AANMS I would like to wish you and yours health and happiness over the festive season.
Stay safe one and all and we look forward to continuing to represent our members’ interests in 2022.
Geoff Schembri FRACP FAANMS
President
