OPTOMETRISTS ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY DIVISION
(INCORPORTATED) ABN 54 009 657 265
58 ST PAULS TERRACE, SPRING HILL QUEENSLAND 4000
TELEPHONE: (07) 3839 4411
FACSIMILE (07) 3839 4499
WEBSITE: www.optomsqld.com
Email: see@optomsqld.com
Past issues
Calendar 2008
Another packed year ahead with all our usual events in the program plus a new one, “Managing Dry Eye” seminar/dinner with NSW optometrist Allan Ared. This event is sponsored by Alcon and jointly organised by the OAA and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. It represents an exciting opportunity for 150 optometrists and pharmacists to get together to gain an understanding of their separate roles in therapeutics.
Queensland Vision 2008 will be held at the Gold Coast in the week after Easter, Best of Queensland Vision 2008 Cairns is on the June long-weekend, the OAA Practice Expo for members and students is on 22 July at Rydges South Bank and the President’s Ball will be held at the Sofitel Brisbane on 8 November.
Days Dates Event Venue CPD Points
| DAY | DATE | EVENT | VENUE | CPD |
| Monday | 11-Feb-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | Optometry House | |
| Friday | 28-Mar-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre | |
Friday-Sunday |
28-30-Mar-08 | Queensland Vision 2008 | Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre | 51 |
| Sunday | 08-Jun-08 | Best of Queensland Vision 2007 | Cairns Shangri-La Hotel | 20 |
| Tuesday | 10-Jun-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | Optometry House |
|
| Tuesday | 08-Jul-07 | Managing Dry Eye Marriott | Brisbane | 2 |
| Tuesday | 22-Jul-08 | OAA Practice Expo Rydges | South Bank Brisbane | 2 |
| Monday | 11-Aug-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | Optometry House |
|
| Monday | 13-Oct-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | Optometry House |
|
| Saturday | 08-Nov-08 | Annual General Meeting | Sofitel Brisbane | |
| Saturday | 08-Nov-08 | President’s Graduands Ball and Annual Awards Sofitel Brisbane, Ballroom Le Grande 1 & 2 | ||
| Saturday | 08-Nov-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | Sofitel Brisbane | |
| Monday | 08-Dec-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council Meeting | TBA | |
| Monday | 08-Dec-08 | OAA Qld/NT Council/Board Meeting and Dinner | TBA |
Thanks to our work with the Ipswich and West Moreton Division of General Practice in terms of directing public diabetes patients to optometrists, an exciting new chapter has emerged. On Thursday, 25 October up to 80 members of both organisations (diabetes educators and practice nurses) will join us for a seminar/dinner to hear from a panel of experts about the training optometrists receive in relation to diabetes, the role of optometrists and the technology they employ.
The program is:
· Registration and Trade Show
· Opening and overview
Ms Shannon Pugh, BAppSc(Optom), GradCert(Ocular Therapeutics
· Diabetes as part of optometry undergraduate degrees and post- graduate optometric education Professor Leo Carney, BAppSc, MSc(Optom), PhD, DSc
· My role in evaluating and monitoring patients with diabetes, Mr Simon Hurwood, BAppSc(Optom), GradCert(Ocular Therapeutics), MBA
· What technology do optometrists employ in diagnosing patients with diabetes and in diabetic retinopathy? Mr James Christensen, BSc
· Panel session and questions, chaired by Ms Shannon Pugh
From this event we hope that many more diabetes patients will be referred to private optometrists thus reducing long waiting lists at public hospitals.
Over fifty diabetes educators and practice nurses were guests of OAA Qld/NT on Thursday, 25 October at the inaugural “Diabetes and Optometry Seminar/Dinner” at the Marriott Brisbane Hotel. The event was convened as a result of advice received from some of the group that they were reluctant to refer diabetes patients to optometrists because they were unsure of the training that optometrists receive, their role in diabetes evaluation and monitoring and the technology employed. The following program was extremely well received and resulted in a string of questions from the audience.
· Registration and Trade Show (Carl Zeiss Australasia, BOC Instruments, Optimed, Optical Manufacturers and Queensland Vision Initiative Inc)
· Opening and overview, Ms Shannon Pugh, BAppSc(Optom), GradCert(Ocular Therapeutics)
· Diabetes as part of optometry undergraduate degrees and post-graduate optometric education, Professor Leo Carney, BAppSc, MSc(Optom), PhD, DSc
· My role in evaluating and monitoring patients with diabetes, Mr Simon Hurwood, BAppSc(Optom), GradCert(Ocular Therapeutics), MBA
· What technology do optometrists employ in diagnosing patients with diabetes and in diabetic retinopathy? Mr James Christensen, BSc
· Panel session and questions, chaired by Ms Shannon Pugh
To date over half of the attendees have requested that the OAA provide them with the names and contact details of optometrists in their area for the purpose of referral. One respondent commented “your members are going to be seriously busy now that I know what to do.” Another said, “now I can really do something about getting diabetes patients out of long public hospital queues and into accessible care.”
Queensland members in the following areas will be asked to provide the OAA with an indication that they are interested in seeing the resultant patients and in turn that information will be relayed to the diabetes educator/practice nurse concerned - Banora Point Medical Centre, Bayside/Redlands/Wynnum, Boonah Medical Centre, Brisbane South Diabetes Service Mt Gravatt, Calamvale, Camp Hill Medical Centre, Chermside Community Health, Jamboree Heights, Fig Tree Pocket, Inala Community Health, Ipswich, Jindalee, John Flynn Hospital Tugun, Mater Hospital, Queensland Diabetes Centre at the Mater, QE11 Hospital and Tarragindi.
Members are invited to contact Marika on telephone 07 3839 4411 or marika@optomsqld.com with their practice name/address/telephone number and contact name. Please indicate if you have a retinal camera.
This event is the latest in a number of micro initiatives in Queensland aimed at reducing pressures on public hospital queues and in general practice.
OPTOM BUSINESS SALES
PRACTICES FOR SALE NSW
Sydney Eastern Suburbs- A well established fashion orientated practice located in a busy shopping strip. Very loyal customer base. Profitable practice. Asking Price $700K.
NSW Central Coast- This practice has fantastic exposure to a main road with excellent parking. It is well positioned in a busy shopping strip with many other retail outlets. Open 5.5 days a week, Optometrist currently working 3 days. Asking Price $340K negotiable.
NSW Far North Coast- Do you like the tropical climate? This could be the opportunity you have been looking for. Profitable business located close to everything. Trades 5 days a week, well equipped practice.
Asking Price $500K
Sydney Inner West- Why open a practice and wait for the customers to walk in. This business is located on a busy shopping strip with fantastic exposure. Asking Price $300K negotiable.
NSW Mid North Coast- Feel like a sea change? Are you sick and tired of the rat race? Are you in the market for a profitable secure business? An opportunity has opened up on the beautiful North Coast. Practices like this do not often enter the market. Net profit after proprietor’s salary is $230K. Asking Price (upon application).
Sutherland Shire- Have you been thinking of opening a practice, well this is an opportunity for you. Currently trading 18.5 hours per week, 1700 active customer cards and needs new direction. Asking Price $80K negotiable.
If you are interested in any of the Practices above, or wish to be placed onto the Optom Business Sales mailing list please do not hesitate in contacting us directly.
Sean Roffey Tel: 02 9221 5101 Fax: 02 9221 0277 Mob: 0408 882 111 pbs@veritel.com.au
CPD Amendment Form
In November 2007 members will receive their annual CPD Amendment Form from the OAA National Division. As you are aware, members of the OAA are required to maintain an average of at least 40 CPD points per year.
This annual amendment form will include a covering letter that outlines the total points you have earned in 2006 and also 2007. To see your list of attended courses for the two years the covering letter will also include your username and password to log onto the OAA National website www.optometrists.asn.au. If it seems that an accredited course you have attended is not on the list it is recommended you first contact the course provider and have them update their participation records provided to the Association.
The amendment form itself is for any course that has not been accredited, such as overseas conferences, additional university study such as therapeutics and journal subscriptions among others.
It is vital that you ensure you have all points accounted for either in your CPD total or on the completed amendment form as any changes received after 31 December 2007 will not be processed and therefore you may not meet your CPD requirement. If you have not received this form in the mail by mid November please contact Marika on telephone 07 3839 4411 or email marika@optomsqld.com.
The optometric community was saddened to hear of the passing of long time member Mr Leo Hartley senior late in October. Mr Hartley was an Association member from 1943 to 1995 and a country Vice-President from 1977 to 1979. He was one of the first donors to the purchase of Optometry House. He was a gentleman and a wonderful practitioner. He will be missed. Condolences have been sent to his son Leo Hartley junior and family.
I know that it’s taken awhile, but it’s finally happened – the referral pad is now available! The idea of the pad is to assist optometrists in dealing with patients who want to quit the habit. Conditions linked with smoking are ARMD, cataract, glaucoma, Grave’s disease, Esotropia, dry eye as well as general irritation and cl infections.
With thanks to The Cancer Council Queensland the pads are now available at Optometry House. Contact Marika at 07 3839 4411 or email marika@optomsqld.com for yours. The Cancer Council will be presenting on the initiative at Queensland Vision 2008.
Health Hub Re-Loaded
President Shannon and I attended the 1 November “Health Hub Re-Loaded” presentation in Toowoomba. The Health Hub is a joint project of GP Connections and Southern Queensland Rural Division of General Practice.
It is funded through the Department of Health and Ageing Managed Health Network Grants and its aim is to allow secure electronic communication between all health professionals in the southern region (Toowoomba, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Dalby etc). This secure electronic communication will enable all health professionals to send emails, share information regarding a patient, send and receive referral letters, discharge summaries, results etc in a totally secure environment.
Health Hub Chair, Dr Graham Emblen, made specific comment on the valuable role optometrists play in the local area particularly in relation to diabetes. He urged all optometrists to join up.
Cost is free and technical assistance is provided. Optometrists in those areas should apply without delay. Please contact Marika on 07 3839 4411 or email marika@optomsqld.com for your application form.
Big night at President’s Ball
Sincere thanks to 200 members, trade friends, Graduands, QUT academics and VIP’s for attending the 3 November President’s Graduands Ball and Annual Awards at the Sofitel Brisbane.
The following 4th year students became members of the Division by virtue of their impending graduation.
Ian Angell, Brigitte Au, Jaskirat Aujla, Krystle Biffin, Shea Cameron, Cecilia Chen, Benjamin Dansie, Brittany Dias, James Drakos, Karl Evans, Benjamin Fredericksen, Casey Frewen-Lord, Daniel Gerasimou, Bernadette Gilmore, Xenia Gonzalez, Matthew Ison, Frank Magupa, Nadia Michaels, Vijay Mistry, Megan Oliver, Loralie Parsonson, Matthew Pease, Sunny Pegoraro, May Hao (Sandy) Phuan, Lenny Rosli, Lachlan Scott-Hoy, Naomi Simpson, Yazmin Soong, Alexander Sweetman, Kompheak Touch, Tola Touch, Andrew Wadley, Jessica Wilson, Joanne Wong, John Wysling, Karen Yu
Award recipients were:
Don Noack Award – Lachlan Scott-Hoy
Peter J Montgomery Award for Social Justice – Rowan Churchill
Professor BJ Skertchley Award – Dr Diana Webster
Hon Bill Hayden Queensland Optometrist of the Year Award – Simon Hurwood
Commemorative reunion medallions went to, 1987 (20 years) – Andrew Greer, Simon Mitchell, Craig Muller, Dean and Megan Sullivan. 1997 (10 years) – Olivia Bigault, Shelly Cramb, Carolyn Dingle, Ken Hooper, Jane Ingerman, Kevin Leung, Natalie Rokic, Joanne Stower and Dr Nathan Walker.
Alcon Australia’s Brand manager Allergy and Infectives Nikhil Jayaram presented three of the four 2007 therapeutics scholarships to Bryan Leong, Andrew Robinson and Joanne Stower.
Look for all the great photos in next month’s edition of SEE.
Medicare Fee Rise
Dear Colleague
We are pleased to inform you that Medicare benefits for optometric services will rise from 1 November 2007 by approximately 2.2 per cent. The new benefits and their rebates are listed below.
The new benefits are:
Item number /Fee Medicare/ Rebate
10900/ $64.15 /$54.55
10905/ $64.15 /$54.55
10907/ $32.10 /$27.30
10912/ $64.15 /$54.55
10913/ $64.15 /$54.55
10914/ $64.15 /$54.55
10915/ $64.15 /$54.55
10916/ $32.10 /$27.30
10918/ $32.10 /$27.30
10921/ $159.05 /$135.20
10922/ $159.05 /$135.20
10923/ $159.05 /$135.20
10924/ $200.75 /$170.65
Item number/ Fee /Medicare Rebate
10925/ $159.05 /$135.20
10926/ $159.05 /$135.20
10927/ $200.75 /$170.65
10928/ $159.05 /$135.20
10929/ $200.75 /$170.65
10930/ $159.05 /$135.20
10931/ $22.35 /$19.00
10932/ $11.15 /$9.50
10933/ $7.45 /$6.35
10940/ $61.20 /$52.05
10941/ $36.90 /$31.40
10942/ $32.10 /$27.30
10943/ $32.10 /$27.30
The new version of “Medicare benefits for services by optometrists” will be mailed to optometrists in the next few days. In the meantime, the new optometric schedule can be found on the Association’s website www.optometrists.asn.au
Yours sincerely,
JOE CHAKMAN
Executive Director
24 October 2007
Joint OAA/Pharmaceutical Society Educational confirmed
Thanks to Alcon Australia, 150 optometrists and pharmacists will attend the 8 July 2008 “Managing Dry Eye” seminar/dinner at the Marriott Hotel Brisbane. This is a fantastic initiative and a great opportunity to inform our pharmacist colleagues of the critical role optometrists play in dry eye management. Please mark the date in your diaries.
Welcome to the October edition of our newsletter to update staff, management and optometrists on the transition of the Spectacle Supply Scheme (SSS) to the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS). The last month has been very busy and no doubt, the level of activity will continue to increase as we move closer to the transition date of 1st of January 2008.
Transition
The Steering Committee met again in September to oversee progress and discuss solutions to some of the key issues.
A sub-committee has been established to review and modify forms for SSS on transfer. The committee includes the senior project officer, an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an administration officer presently working on SSS in the district health service.
The application referral procedure and MASS SSS Guidelines have been drafted and will be referred for distributed to optometrists, ophthalmologists, dispensing agents and relevant administrative staff for feedback in the near future.
(Cont MASS article) MASS is in the process of arranging the physical environment within the Brisbane office with arrangements being made for office ‘fit-out’, IT requirements and equipment procurement. System and record management issues and timeframes for implementation have been identified.
Human Resource Issues
The position descriptions for the SSS Team have been developed and the vacancies were advertised as of 5th October, with the positions closing on 22nd October. The team will be commencing at MASS on 3rd December to allow for training and procedure-testing prior to the 1st January commencement. The team of 9.5 FTE will consist of one AO6 position (service manager), one AO4 position (team leader) and 7.5 AO2 positions (client service officers).
Meetings have been held to discuss employment options on the transition of SSS to MASS with staff in the district health services who now work full time on spectacles,.
Dispensing Fee
Concerns have been expressed that optometrists have not been receiving the increased dispensing fee from 20 August 2007. Essilor have advised MASS that the increase has been incorporated into invoicing to the districts from that date. Optometrists who are concerned about not receiving the increase of $10 per order, should contact Essilor directly
For further information contact:
Matt Page – Senior Project Officer, MASS-SSS Transition
07 3250 8601 / 0438543721
Matthew_Page@health.qld.gov.au
Protecting your greatest assets
It’s important for business owners and directors to ask themselves what would happen to their business, and to their family, if something unexpectedly happened to them and they have no insurance in place. Would you need to sell the business? Would you lose your family home? Would you have to rely on borrowing heavily from friends and family?
Insurance is the most simple and sure method of covering your financial obligations and the premium you pay may seem insignificant if you had to make a claim.
The attitude towards Key Person and Life Insurance is not always the same. And yet in reality, it is your own skills and ability to generate income, as well as that of your key staff, which you should be insuring. For owners and managers, including business loan protection (key person capital) insurance in your wealth protection portfolio is a logical and necessary safeguard.
Did you know that males have a two in five chance of suffering a critical illness between the ages of 30 and 64, and the statistic for females is one in four? 1.
Taking out general insurance cover is usual for most people. They accept that home and contents insurance, car insurance and even travel insurance are a necessary part of everyday life. They budget for these insurances and acknowledge that they can’t really afford not to have such insurances in place.
How much key person insurance is enough?
Key person insurance can compensate the business for the loss of:
• business profitability (revenue purpose)
• the capital value of the business (capital purpose).
Key person insurance proceeds can replace any lost profit or capital value that the key person would have produced. The proceeds can be used to stabilise the business until a suitable replacement person is employed who is capable of being trained to have the same key skills. Key person insurance proceeds can bridge the gap and enable the business to operate efficiently through, and after, the ordeal.
What insurance products can be used?
There are three policies which can all be applied: Death; Total and Permanent Disability (TPD); and Trauma.
The sudden death, disability or traumatic illness of a key employee has the most impact on the business if there has been no planning for the loss. Life insurance, TPD and trauma insurance cover are the obvious solution.
What is the taxation treatment of key person insurance proceeds?
It is important to consider both the income tax and the capital tax treatment of key person insurance. The income tax treatment of key person premiums and proceeds depends on the type of policy used and its purpose. Revenue purpose insurance premiums are tax deductible to the business, and the claim proceeds are assessable. Capital purpose insurance premiums are not tax deductible to the business and the claim proceeds are not assessable.
If you would like more information about key person risk, please call 1800 333 143 to be put in touch with a Guild Life Risk Adviser.
1 General Cologne Life Re Australia, 2002.
Guild Financial Services Limited AFSL No. 225590. The information and/or advice in this article has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any of this information you should consider its appropriateness with respect to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Please consult your tax adviser for professional advice on any taxation matters. Guild Financial Services may support your association through the payment of referral fees for certain products or services you take out with them.
Leisa Schmid stands for Parliament
Popular Queensland member Leisa Schmid has agreed to be the Family First candidate for the seat of Ryan at the 24 November federal election.
Ryan covers Brisbane’s western suburbs as well as national park and forest in the hills to the west. North of the river, it extends from Milton and Auchenflower through Toowong, Indooroopilly, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore, Brookfield and Moggill to Karana Downs, as well as Mount Coot-tha and The Gap further north. South of the river, it includes Middle Park, Jamboree Heights, Mount Ommaney, Jindalee and Westlakes on the western side of the Centenary Highway.
Leisa seeks your support both financially and on polling day and naturally would appreciate your vote if you reside in the suburbs above.
You can contact Leisa on mobile 0488 414 272, email ryan@familyfirstqld.org.au. Go to www.familyfirstqld.org.au for further information.
Other members seeking election are invited to contact me if they would like similar information relayed to OAA members and friends.
December CPD Night at QEH
Queensland Eye Hospital has released a new Optometry Evening Seminar for December. This will be the final session for 2007.
The details are:
Date: Monday 10th December 2007
Time: 6:30 pm (nibbles). Session 7 pm – 9 pm
Topic and speakers:
Dr Mark Donaldson: AMD- update on new treatment (including: anti-VGFU treatment, Avastin and Lucentis), and RN Heather Machin: Tanzania eye project – post-trip review.
CPD points:
This evening will award a total of 5 cpd points.
RSVP:
Seats limited. Contact Heather Machin via: heather.machin@qldeye.com or (07) 3236 9844. www.qldeye.com
Most small and medium sized practices do not have the funds available to purchase their premises outright. Purchasing your own premises can be a time consuming exercise. Here’s a quick list of pros and cons to help you make your decision.
If you do choose to buy, there are several advantages:
·When you own your own premises you are in control and can stay here as long as it suits your needs
·Your costs are relatively fixed, particularly if you have a fixed rate loan, whereas rents are changeable and subject to review.
·You can renovate the premises to suit your patient and staff requirements
·In the long term, if you choose your location wisely, it is likely that the value of the property will rise.
·By investing in your own commercial premises you may be able to convert your rental repayments into an investment for your financial future. Make the comparison – it’s possible that monthly loan repayments are similar to your current rental costs.
Against these advantages you need to weigh the disadvantages. Buying property can be an expensive and time consuming process involving significant professional fees and stamp duty. You’ll also need to budget for repairs and maintenance costs.
Looking at the finance for your practice premises, there are loan products available that are custom designed for healthcare practitioners.
David Crozier of Medfin Finance advises: “Look for a financier that doesn’t speak jargon, search for loan advice that is effective and easy to understand. Optometrists may not necessarily be property experts. That’s why Medfin’s Relationship Managers are trained to help practitioners to walk step by step, through the loan process”.
“Talk to your accountant about the benefits of choosing a practice property loan that does not require a deposit. By not using your own funds, you may benefit by conserving your money for investment in other areas” suggests David Crozier. “Always ask about the fees and charges. And I can’t stress my next piece of advice strongly enough – please make sure you know that your monthly repayment is calculated on the rate you have discussed with your finance company”.
If you’d like further information on Medfin’s Practice Property Loan or wish to check that the rate you have been quoted matches the repayment you will be charged, call your local Queensland, Medfin Relationship Manager
MEMBER BENEFITS
FREE LEGAL ADVICE
Contact Richard Jones at Gregg Lawyers and receive up to twenty minutes advice in relation to any legal matter. Telephone 07 3831 9844 during business hours or email info@gregglawyers.com.au and mention your OAA Qld/NT membership.
GUILD FINANCIAL SERVICES
Has been chosen as the preferred provider for your personal insurance needs. Guild Financial Services provides insurance to many healthcare professionals and is pleased to be part of your Advantage program. The types of insurance policies on and arranged by Guild Financial Services are: (that can be advised) - Income Protection; Trauma Protection; Business Expenses Insurance; & Life and Total Permanent Disability Insurance. If you require further information about any of the insurance products above please call your state representative below on their direct line or free call 1800 333 143 to be transferred to your nearest representative. QLD: Heather Dhuna Phone: (07) 3230 8509 Mobile: 0408 315 829
USED/UNWANTED SPECTACLES/FRAMES:
OAA Qld/NT collects used spectacles for the ONA Network in Tanzania! Telephone Marika on (07) 3839 4411 for collection
PUZZLED BY WORKPLACE RELATIONS?
For Free Workplace Relations Advice simply call the SIAG National Advisory Service on 1 800 656 844 between 8:30am-5:30pm (AEST) Mon-Fri
COMMUNITY SPECTACLE SCHEME
Looking for budget spectacles and lenses as an alternative to the Government’s Spectacle Supply Scheme? Call Essilor Queensland State Manager David Pearson on telephone 0407 108 867 or email pearson@essilor.com.au
FREE ACCOUNTING ADVICE
For your first free interview on any accounting matter contact Scott McLucas at one2one Accounting on telephone 07 3839 7444 or email smclucas@one2one-info.com