Welcome to the AAMT Newsletter –
June 2011
This month we're celebrating some of our sponsors – who help AAMT bring you the Conference, events and many other benefits of your membership. In the email below Conference Co-ordinator David Sheehan thanks our Conference sponsors Aon Insurance, Firm'n'Fold, Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy and Melrose Health. Sponsors help members in other ways too - AAMT would like to thank Rob Crisfield and the team from Firm'n'Fold for supporting two AAMT members from Goodna and Mackay who faced hardship in Queensland this year. $200 vouchers went out to help them get back on their feet.
The E-Newsletter is packed with information – including a special offer for the popular Core Values Bookmarks.
Read on – and have a great month!
Tricia Hughes
AAMT CEO
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Cairns Conference a huge success!
AAMT Conference Co-ordinator David Sheehan reports that he has just finalised compiling this year's conference feedback forms, and is happy to say that 2011 was a huge success! Close to 300 members attended the conference and many brought partners and enjoyed the warmth, sun and reef after an exciting event. For those who made written comments on your feedback form, David thanks you for taking the time and these comments will pass through our Conference Committee at future meetings with an aim of making next year's event even better.
David says he'd also like to take the opportunity of saying thank you again to our wonderful Sponsors for their support of this year's event:
- Aon Insurance – Platinum
- Firm n Fold – Gold Commercial
- Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy – Gold – Educational
- Melrose Health – Satchels.
See you in Melbourne in 2012!
Medibank Private Reporting Requirements
Members will have received a request from AAMT to enter your Medibank Private Provider Number into the AAMT database – this is because AAMT have received a request from MBP to include provider numbers in the monthly reports. Please make sure you either enter the details yourselves or forward the details to AAMT by the due date.
AAMT has success in maintaining qualification standards
AAMT Submission in Support of CSHISC assisted in the current qualifications being exempted from the flexible delivery rules. The successful submission included the following points:
- Significantly changing the current qualifications and removing core units would increase the risk to client safety
- Significantly changing the current qualifications would reduce the quality assurance currently provided to the profession
- Significantly changing the current qualifications would reduce the employment opportunities for massage therapists as the graduates' outcomes and attributes will be weak. This is an issue of sustainability.
- Significantly changing the current qualifications would risk Private Health Funds and WorkCover jurisdictions not accepting future graduates as service providers.
- With one third or more of the core to be electives, removal of any of these core units would impact the standard of professionalism in the industry.
- Changes to the current package is seen to dilute the professional standards of the industry, undermining the work to move towards national registration.
The Recommendation that in collaboration with CHISC, the relevant professional bodies and stakeholders commence full review and consultation for the qualifications for massage in consideration of the fast changing environment of the industry will continue to be argued as well as ensuring there is an industry marker for consistency at a national level to avoid the opportunity for commercial interests at a local delivery level to weaken educational outcomes and create inconsistency between states and even within colleges.
AAMT Submission to CSHISC – a member's Letter
An AAMT Member writes: Thanks, AAMT, for following up on this issue. As an educator in our industry, it has become quite evident that the training packages have dumbed down the course content and left our graduates with less quality knowledge and maturity in dealing with the myriad of complaints, conditions and variance in the population who seek massage for treatment. Surely we should have increased the content and duration of the courses to include more information and guidance for the potential therapist. I am excited to see my association at the coal face fighting to elevate our profession.
Looking forward to a positive outcome. Keep up the good work, education panel.
Increased Reports of Provider Fraud
AAMT is receiving increased reports from health funds, the public and other therapists about fraud. It really is a risk you do not want to take. Health Funds have whole departments dedicated to investigations and all matters advised to AAMT are investigated and reported to funds. It is illegal to commit fraud and you will be removed from all provider lists.
Do not:
* Use another person's provider number
* Write receipts when no treatment has been provided
* Use a provider number from another clinic.
Do:
* Keep your receipts in a safe place
* Only issue receipts for the clinic you are at for the client you treated
* Be professional and act with integrity.
Profiling the AAMT at AIMA
Profiling the members and the Association is important. AAMT has secured the keynote address at the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association 17th International Integrative Medicine Conference at Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific, Manly Beach, NSW from 14-16 October 2011. CEO Tricia Hughes will be discussing the connection between massage and research. Garry Lavis will be conducting a session on the role of massage in rehabilitation of the shoulder.
iPad winner!
The winner of the AAMT Platinum Conference Sponsors Aon iPad 2 was Kristen Berger – she is now a very happy member. A member also won a $50 Myer voucher from Aon.
Abstract Submissions for platform/poster presentations
Authors are invited to submit abstracts presenting new research results related to research on fascia. Abstracts selected by the Scientific Review Committee will be posted on the website and published in the 2012 conference proceedings book. Submission open 1 July through to midnight 15 September PST, 2011. For more information and submission guidelines click here. Conference Dates: Wednesday to Friday, March 28 - 30, 2012. Fascia Research Congress information www.fasciacongress.org/2012/
Department of Veterans Affairs
AAMT has once again approached DVA in relation to their policy in regards to the supply of massage therapy. The summary is that DVA will only accept those practitioners in a registered profession, that is physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath, to deliver massage. However, AAMT has re established a dialogue with DVA rehabilitation policy writers and will keep them informed as to the industry's steps towards regulation of massage therapy and the need to utilise appropriately trained practitioners. The attached pdf provides more information click here.
Alys Cavanagh: shining a light in dark places
Everyone who attended the Conference was touched by the words of AAMT Conference Scholarship winner Alys Cavanagh. You can read her speech in full in the next AAMT Massage Therapists Journal. Alys works with a clinic called the Heal Community Clinic based in East Melbourne that provides transformative healing for people experiencing homelessness, risk of homelessness and marginalisation. She said: "If you would like to partner with The Heal Community Clinic in more tangible ways, if that is something you feel drawn to - if you are a therapist working in Melbourne and are interested in practical involvement, I would love to connect with you. If you are a business, we have a sponsorship package that invites you to partner on a financial level and join with us in 'shining' with our clients as they travel on their healing journey. At Heal, we have a message: 'Together we're changing'. The clients are changing. The therapists and volunteers are changing. The community is changing. And you can be part of that change too." You can contact Alys at the Heal Community Clinic through www.handsonhealth.com.au
AAMT Core Values Bookmarks: Special Offer for Members!
Many members have seen the beautiful set of AAMT Core Values bookmarks at the Conference. These bookmarks are available to member at just $45 for a set of five (that's 250 bookmarks). And right now there is a special opportunities rate of just $77 for two sets of five bookmarks (total 500 bookmarks) – expires 31 August. Check the website for details or click here.
AAMT Member Benefits
Keep Your Travel Agents Commission
Chartis travel insurance offers you great travel insurance, at a great price. With savings of up to 50%* on travel insurance compared to buying from a travel agent, not only will you keep your travel agent's commission, you'll also have more money to spend on your next holiday. You'll also be protected for unlimited overseas medical and hospital expenses, lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellations and much more. Click here for more information and to purchase your insurance online.*Terms & conditions apply..
Make motoring easy with a Shell Cardplus Fuel Card
The Shell Cardplus Fuel Card is available to both individuals and businesses - so your work colleagues and family can take advantage of this great offer! All members receive 4 cents a litre discount off pump prices on Shell fuels*. (*discount excludes V-Power and LPG). So, apply today and start making significant fuel savings. Click here for more details & terms and conditions..
Dell makes computing easy. Like it should be!
End of Financial Year Savings – Save 20%^ on the Dell Inspiron Zino HD computer (e-value code U210601AU). Good things come in small packages. The Inspiron Zino HD computer is packed with powerful features to meet your family's everyday computing needs and entertainment desires. It's a full-featured PC that's portable enough to move from room to room as your family's needs change. Click here for more information. ^Dell coupon terms and conditions apply.
Tel: 1300 665 195 Email memberbenefits@aamt.com.au
Website: www.memberbenefits.com.au/aamt
YOUR REGION
Click here for information about all your Regional Co-ordinators and Regional Meetings.
Highlights in your Region
Bendigo (Vic): Next meeting Sunday 19 June at the Bendigo Club. Speaker is Ashley Watson an Exercise Physiologist. Contact Geoff Waldron
Eastern Metro (Vic): Our June meeting will be held on Wed 15 June, 7.30pm in the Conference room, Melb Uni Hawthorn Campus. On 17 August we plan to have a members exchange evening at the Hawthorn Council Offices. If you are able to present a short case study ( anything from 2-15 minutes ) or talk about something that has inspired your practice please let me know. Contact Sue Hughes for more details.
Greater Hunter Region (NSW): The next meeting will be held as usual at Valentine Bowling Club on Friday 17 June. Kerry Cooper, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Rheumatology, Royal Newcastle Centre, will be presenting for us on Osteoporosis. Please join us for dinner at 6.30pm or at 7.30pm for the Lecture. Please bring a friend. $10.00 at the door. RSVP by 1 June to Tara Davidson or 0416145250. Looking forward to seeing you there - Garry Lavis.
Portland (Vic): Suzie Hillam advises that the AAMT CPE Event – Assessment & Treatment of Knee & Ankle Injuries will be held 19 June. The presenter is Deb Pascoe. Contact Emma Gierschick, CPE Co-ordinator, or call 1300 138 872. CPE Points: 10.
South Australia Northern: The first Northern Regional Barossa meeting was held in Nuriootpa early April. We discussed topics to explore and regularity of meetings. The following is the proposed calendar of events:
• 9 June, at Barossa Physio. Case Study: Neck, Shoulders & Elbow with appropriate stretches & exercises.
• 2 August, at Hand to Health Chiropractic, A&P Review. Case Study: Lower Back & Hip
• 20 October, Tai Chi. Case Study: Knee, Ankle & Foot. Magic Roundabout Massage Swap.
• 3 December, Networking Allied Health Groups, BBQ & Family Fun Day.
Please contact Kellie Thomas on 0412 195 349 or enhancedability@yahoo.com.au for more information.
South Australia Riverland: Our next SA Riverland Regional Meeting is on 31 July 31 9am at the Renmark Hotel. Guest Speaker is Simon Jackson talking about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Contact Narelle James
South Metro Group (Mornington Peninsula - Vic): The next meeting will be at the Mornington library on Tuesday 17 Juneat 7.30pm. This will be our meeting place till October (back to 3rd Tuesdays of the month). Ray Goslin one of our own, will draw from his experience as massage therapist, hypnotherapist and psychotherapist to share some of his wisdom and knowledge to pass on some helpful tips. Ray is a friendly and down to earth person who has shown us ways to enhance our own practices and use tools for self-help as well. Also on the night we need ideas for an AAMT sponsored workshop down our way ASAP. The last meeting, with hand therapist Jane Aarons, was a very enlightening experience and of great benefit to all those who made the effort to attend. Contact Andrew Willcox
Wide Bay (Qld): Next meeting is 28 August at 2pm at "A Working Body", 23 Boston Street, Bundaberg, and the topic is Marketing. Contact Joanne Peterson (07) 4151 0028.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AAMT CPE EVENTS
All the dates for workshops are confirmed for 2011 – start planning now!
Did you know you can now register online for AAMT CPE Events? Please Click Here
APPROVED PROVIDER PROGRAMS
Dates for approved provider workshops for 2011 are now online.
For all event listings in your State please click on the name of each State below:
Your feedback and contributions
Feedback and contributions are welcome! Please email the Editor at info@aamt.com.au
Disclaimer
Please note that while the AAMT makes every effort to ensure that information provided in this newsletter is accurate at time of preparation, the information is provided as a guide only. The AAMT and its contractors accept no responsibility for accuracy of information. We encourage you to check the AAMT website or with providers to confirm details.
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