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Dr Mal Washer
The following articles have the tag Dr Mal Washer
Liberal doctors back plain packs for cigarettes
LIBERAL Party MP-doctors Andrew Southcott and Mal Washer have argued the Government’s “plain packaging” proposal for tobacco products would cut smoking rates, despite their leader Tony Abbott’s continued scepticism. Mr Abbott has declined to support the proposal until the Coalition can assess legislation, which is expected to be introduced in July. But Dr Southcott – who as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will lead the Coalition debate on the issue in the Lower House – said he believed the measure would be effective. “I think it will have an impact on the number of ...
Impact of retirement rules hits home for dispirited GP
QUEENSLAND GP Dr Elizabeth Culliford has hit out at an “inflexible” registration system that has left her with few options in retirement as she considers whether to “give up my career of a lifetime”. New laws introduced by AHPRA mean retired doctors will no longer hold limited prescribing or referral rights. However, as first reported in MO (15 April), there are now concerns that the laws may also stop retired doctors working as educators on a pro bono basis. Dr Culliford, an IMG who has practised in Australia for 35 years, said while she did not ...
GP politician joins public calls for Afghanistan troop withdrawal
FORMER GP turned Liberal MP Dr Mal Washer has broken party ranks to join growing calls for Australian troops to be brought home from Afghanistan. Requesting an immediate exit strategy, the WA Federal MP spoke out during a parliamentary debate on Australia’s continuing involvement in the conflict last week. Dr Washer told ABC Radio that Australia’s initial involvement had been justified following the 2001 Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on New York and Washington but believed continued Australian involvement was “irresponsible”. “I’d like to see our troops back home within months… we [have] lost 21 people, 152 injured and ...
Election health promises hang in the balance
GPs appear no closer to knowing what direction health system reform will take with both major parties still courting the support of independents they will require to form government. Labor’s sweeping health reforms, including the future of 23 new GP super clinics and its controversial $436 million patient enrolment and pay-for-performance diabetes scheme, now hang in the balance. Similarly, the Coalition’s promises to scrap the super clinics initiative and increase rebates for long consultations, after-hours work and practice nurses also remain in doubt. RACGP president Dr Chris Mitchell said while it was difficult to know what ...
Rudd’s health plan is based on a myth
ONE in 10 GPs reading this are planning to quit medicine within the next five years. Another survey finding? Yes – and it basically arrives at the same conclusion that numerous others have reached over the past few years. This one was based on a sample of more than 10,000 GPs and specialists around the country, conducted by the Melbourne Institute and Melbourne and Monash universities. It indicates more than half of all doctors in this country say they’re overworked and one in four feel “very or moderately dissatisfied” with their work-life balance. And up to ...
Water essential to nation’s health
OUR health is inextricably linked to water: safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, minimised water-related disease and healthy freshwater ecosystems. We all require a minimum of 50 litres of clean water each and every day for our basic needs. Unfortunately, this essential commodity may be compromised as our four great southern states become drier, with implications for everything from food supply to infant health. One of the great waterways of the world, the Murray-Darling system, is drying out. About 50% of the water flow into the river basin is via the subsurface flows, so even if La Nina ...