In This Issue...

Sleep Week abstracts are open – time is short!
Recommencing research sleep studies guidelines 
What’s on next?
Where are we going? Read the new ASA strategy
Time to renew!
Update on temporary MBS item numbers 
Latest position statement published
Seeking sleep scientists for the Clinical Committee
Career opportunities

Sleep Week abstracts are open – time is short!

Have you submitted your Sleep Week abstract yet? We're now accepting abstracts for consideration for inclusion in the program. If you’d like to submit, you can do this through our online submission portal. You’ll need to be quick, though – submissions will close at 10am AEST on Friday 3 July.

Abstract presentations will be spread across the main conference sessions, with the top six New Investigator abstracts being presented during a dedicated session on Wednesday morning.

Advanced Trainees will have a dedicated session to present their research projects, and should submit their abstracts via the online submission portal by 10am on Friday 7 August.

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Recommencing research sleep studies guidelines

Due to the current low rates of community transmission of CoVID-19 in Australia and New Zealand, ASA has developed these recommendations to support the recommencement of research polysomnography in certain circumstances. They provide a balance between the need for research to continue and the protection of research participants and staff.   

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What’s on next?

On Monday 29 June (7.30pm AEST), join Ramesh Balasubramaniam and Harry Ball for a dental sleep medicine webinar. This webinar examines the links between bruxism, obstructive sleep apnoea and temporomandibular disorders. You'll also learn about the potential for occlusal changes with oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnoea. Register now

Check out all the upcoming online events via the Events listing. New webinars are being added all the time.

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Where are we going? Read the new ASA strategy

The ASA Board has finalised a two-year strategy to ensure that the ASA successfully adapts to the environmental changes brought about by COVID-19, which include:

• being unable to hold an annual conference in 2020 which would have accounted for 20% of revenue for the financial year 2020-21 
• being unable to offer other in-person member benefits such as state meetings 
• members experiencing financial hardship due to steep drops in business operations 
• changing financial circumstances for sponsors 
• high levels of uncertainty and unpredictability.

These impacts have occurred at a time when the association has recently invested resources from financial reserves in recruiting a new CEO, and revenue from the 2019 Sleep DownUnder conference was lower than expected. 

The combination of these circumstances places financial sustainability at the heart of the new strategy.  

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Time to renew! 

ASA membership subscriptions will expire on 30 June. If you haven't renewed yet, log in to the website with your member details and renew through your account page (read how). Alternatively, call 02 9920 1968 to renew by phone with your credit card.

If you’re experiencing financial hardship, we don’t want that to stop you remaining part of the ASA. Please contact the CEO, Marcia Balzer, to discuss the options we have available. 

Did you know you can download your invoices from your account? View instructions

You can also renew or join the Sleep Health Foundation (SHF) when paying your ASA membership. Annual membership is $75 + GST and is fully tax deductible.  The Foundation do not receive government funding to promote sleep awareness and the importance of good sleep to our general health, mental health and overall wellbeing. Your support is appreciated.

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Update on temporary MBS item numbers

In April the ASA sought the support of the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, in expanding MBS item numbers temporarily to allow home sleep studies at home to be reimbursed through Medicare while laboratory studies were unable to proceed. This remains important for paediatric patients, who continue to have limited access to laboratory sleep studies thanks to long waiting lists and no Level 2 item numbers for paediatric patients.
 
This week we received a response from the Minister, who refers the addition of paediatric patients to Level 2 item numbers to the Medical Services Advisory Committee, and sees no need for other requested changes due to the relaxation of distancing restrictions. 

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Latest position statement published

An ASA/ANZSSA working group has published our latest position statement in the journal Sleep and Biological Rhythms. 
 
An Australasian commentary on the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events recommends some key changes to the AASM Manual that will increase standardisation across Australasian sleep services. The recommendations are also relevant in a global setting and should be considered for future updates to the Manual. 

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Seeking sleep scientists for the Clinical Committee

ASA is looking for sleep scientists to join its Clinical Committee. This committee makes recommendations to the Board on all aspects of clinical practice in sleep medicine. The Committee is made up of sleep physicians, researchers, pharmacists, surgeons, psychologists, dentists and meets monthly during COVID times, but usually every 2-3 months. 

It is proposed to appoint 2-3 enthusiastic individuals who reflect the diversity of sleep scientists in Australia and New Zealand. Adult, paediatric, private, public and research sleep scientists are all encouraged to apply. Nominees must be an ASA member. 

Please email your resume/cv and a brief letter on why you would like to be on the Clinical Committee of the ASA (a couple of paragraphs will do) to Marcia Balzer. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2020. 

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Career opportunities

As an ASA member you can advertise opportunities at no charge. Non-members wishing to post an advertisement should send details of the advertisement to the ASA to obtain a quote. If you wish to advertise, please email details to: [email protected]

Specialist Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
Seeking a balance in inpatient and outpatient work? Want to work in a big friendly hospital without the traffic hassles of a big city?
 
Waikato Hospital’s Respiratory & Sleep Department has a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and dynamic physician who is looking for a new challenge and to join an enthusiastic team.

Registrar or Senior Registrar in Sleep Medicine
Queensland Health (Organisation site)
Southport, Woolloongabba, Chermside, Herston and Birtinya
The Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Departments within the Gold Coast University Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Sunshine Coast University Hospital are looking for a Registrar or Senior Registrar in Sleep Medicine to join their teams. 

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