EmailHospital Circular 02/2007
Date Issued: 15 February 2007
Distribution: Chief Executive Officers; Chief Medical Officers; HR Directors
Subject: 2006 Public Health Medical Workforce EBA – Continuing Medical Education Expenses – Non-Specialists
Purpose: To clarify the type of reimbursable items that are claimable by non-specialist doctors with respect to the up to $1,000 per annum entitlement provided under clause 2.2 of the 2006 Heads of Agreement.
This Circular wholly replaces Hospital Circular 26/2006.
Clause 2.2 of the 2006 Heads of Agreement reached between the Department, the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (VHIA) and the Australian Medical Association Victoria Limited (AMA) provides non-specialist doctors employed in Victorian health services with an entitlement to claim reimbursement of up to $1,000 each [financial] year – pro-rata for part-time doctors. Clause 2.2 provides that:
The parties agree that Doctors In Training receive some financial assistance in undertaking medical education.
Health services agree to reimburse Doctors In Training up to $1,000 pa (inclusive of any applicable FBT) towards costs for equipment, books and like expenses incurred in respect of medical education.
The Hospitals’ policy and procedure for claiming this entitlement must be made available to all doctors via the required Unit Handbook.
The Department has held further discussions with the VHIA and the AMA with regard to the operation of the entitlement provided by the above Clause.
To be valid, the expense claimed must be related to the doctor’s medical education and must be in the nature of equipment, books and like expenses incurred in respect of medical education.
It is not possible to be exhaustive in describing what expenses incurred by a doctor are validly claimable, however the discretionary use of this benefit would not include:
- Professional membership or professional registration fees;
- Examination fees; or
- Receipts for travel and accommodation expenses.
The VHIA has issued Bulletin 1147 providing further information regarding the administration of this benefit.
If you require any further information regarding this benefit, please contact either the VHIA or the Department’s Industrial Relations Branch.
Lance Wallace
Executive Director
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services
