ACE WA Country Conference 2024
The ACE WA Country Conference held from the 15-17 November successfully brought together 127 delegates, 10 sponsors, and featured a series of engaging keynote speakers and informative workshops. The event focused on key themes in anaesthesia, neurological morbidity, obstetric haemorrhage, and critical care, offering a dynamic program designed to foster learning, discussion, and professional development. The day’s program was designed to provide a mix of thought leadership, case study analysis, and clinical practice, underpinned by expert speakers and interactive discussions.
The morning sessions focused on anaesthesia and neurological morbidity. Keynote presentations included Professor Victoria Eley’s talk on pain-free neuraxial anaesthesia and Dr. Matt Rucklidge’s exploration of common challenges in anaesthesia. Later, Dr. Colm Quinn shared a case study on intracerebral haemorrhage in an obstetric patient, followed by sessions on neurosurgery myths and postpartum neurological conditions. The discussions that followed each presentation provided opportunities for delegates to deepen their understanding through interactive Q&A.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to obstetric haemorrhage and critical care management. Dr. Mathias Epee addressed placenta accreta spectrum, and Clinical Professor Nolan McDonnell provided strategies for managing postpartum haemorrhage. Professor Victoria Eley also highlighted the role of point-of-care testing in haemorrhage management. These sessions were followed by an engaging discussion on the latest approaches to these high-risk obstetric scenarios. The afternoon concluded with an exploration of morbidity and mortality, featuring challenging cases like obstetric sepsis and the perils of preeclampsia.
In addition to the keynote presentations, the event featured three highly specialized workshops. Dr. Lip Ng led the CICO (Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate) workshop, providing attendees with critical skills and strategies for managing one of the most high-stakes emergency scenarios in anaesthesia. Dr. Graeme Johnson chaired the Major Haemorrhage workshop, where participants explored the latest approaches in managing life-threatening bleeding, focusing on timely interventions and multidisciplinary coordination. Dr. Emelyn Lee facilitated the Obstetric Advanced Life Support (ALS) workshop, guiding delegates through complex obstetric emergencies and the application of advanced resuscitation techniques in labour and delivery settings. These hands-on workshops offered valuable, practical insights and fostered interactive learning, enhancing the overall educational experience for all attendees.
We thank the workshop facilitators who made them possible:
Obstetric ALS
Emelyn Lee
Kate Luscombe
Jessica Sommer
Matt Epee
Kim Maher
CICO
Dr Lip Ng - Consultant Anaesthetist, Perioperative, Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine
Dr Kelly Tarrant – Consultant Anaesthetist at Christchurch Hospital, NZ (previous Airway Fellow at RPH)
Dr Jingjing Luo – Consultant Anaesthetist at Royal Perth Hospital (CICO Instructor)
Dr Harris Wain – current Airway Fellow, Royal Perth Hospital
Dr Ilan Silberstein – Senior Registrar, Perth Children Hospital
MH
Dr Graeme Johnson
Dr Mark Johnson
Dr Jamie Salter
Dr Roger Browning
Josh from Koomal Dreaming provided an informative Welcome to Country
WA ACE discussion
WA workshop facilitators
WA ACE lunch
Dr David Janmaat won the door prize, generously sponsored by Nina's jewellery
Ineke Krom, Melanie Roberts and Warren O'Harae provided operational support to ensure a successful event
WA Trainee Committee news
Elections for the 2025 WA Trainee Committee took place from 8 to 22 November 2024. The new elected committee members for 2025 are:
- Dr Matthew Avery
- Dr Ashleigh Cargill
- Dr Erin Chevis
- Dr Ethan Fitzclarence
- Dr Teegan Hartwig
- Dr Amy Lumb
- Dr Timothy Marmion
- Dr Kelly Shepherd
We thank the members of the 2024 WATC for their hard work and passion advocating for WA Trainees in 2024, in particular the committee members who will not be continuing in this role: Dr Sarah O’Brien (Co-Chair), Dr Rebecca Wood (Co-Chair), Dr Elizabeth Carr and Dr Georgia Powell.
The WA Trainee Committee can be reached through the WA ANZCA Office via: [email protected], or confidentially via: [email protected].
Recent events
ACE WA Lecture Series
The 2024 ACE WA Lecture Series has been a remarkable success, offering a wide range of educational opportunities for anaesthetists and healthcare professionals in Western Australia and remotely for Eastern Staters. With a combination of in-person and hybrid events, the series attracted a diverse group of delegates, including both local and remote participants, making it an inclusive platform for professional development.
The first event, held on 13 March 2024, focused on the WA State Burns Service Perioperative Practice Evaluation, with expert speakers such as Dr. Helen Douglas, Dr. Kristine Owen, and Major Rachel Howes presenting on cutting-edge practices in burns management. The event, attended by 20 in-person delegates and an additional 20 via Zoom, was a great success, with 65 total registrations, demonstrating the high demand for these sessions.
The series continued in April with a fully subscribed in-person event on Anaphylaxis (Emergency), led by Dr. Paige Bavich and Dr. Cat Goddard. This workshop covered essential topics like recognizing the onset of anaphylaxis, the ANZAAG Anaphylaxis Management Guidelines, and the importance of timely referral to prevent harm. With 30 participants and a waitlist, the workshop highlighted the significant interest in addressing urgent clinical challenges in anaesthesia. Similarly, the Morbidity and Mortality Workshop held on 27 May, led by Dr. Bridget Hogan, provided attendees with the opportunity to review real-world cases and discuss ways to prevent adverse outcomes in clinical practice, attracting both in-person and online delegates.
The CICO (Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate) Workshop on 18 June, facilitated by Dr. Sam Fitzpatrick, Dr. Jingjing Luo, Dr. Corynn Goh, and Dr. Harris Wain, was another highly practical session, offering a critical skills-building opportunity in airway management. With 9 delegates in attendance, the workshop enabled participants to engage directly with experts in the field. Another notable event, the Acute and Severe Behaviour Disturbance (ASBD) Workshop on 1 August, was the result of strong demand from the FPM community. This workshop, facilitated by Dr. Scott Teasdale and Dr. Tor Ercleve, delved into managing acute psychiatric crises, enriching attendees' ability to respond to challenging situations in clinical settings.
The Gastric and Neuroaxial POCUS Workshop, held on 21 August, marked a high point of the series, attracting 20 delegates for an in-depth, hands-on ultrasound workshop. With the growing importance of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in anaesthesia, this workshop responded to the increasing use of GLP-1 inhibitors and rising obesity rates in WA. Faculty members and volunteers provided valuable support, ensuring delegates had plenty of time to practice scanning techniques and engage in in-depth discussions. The Nerida Dilworth Prize event on 17 September 2024, honouring the legacy of Dr. Nerida Dilworth, featured presentations from emerging researchers in anaesthesia. Dr. Ethan Fitzclarence won the prestigious prize for his presentation on Nitrous Oxide, further demonstrating the high level of academic engagement within the WA anaesthesia community.
Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback and the strong attendance across various workshops, there is a clear demand for continuing the ACE WA Lecture Series in 2025. The events have successfully addressed critical clinical areas, enhanced practical skills, and fostered collaboration among healthcare professionals. The series has proven to be an essential resource for ongoing professional development, and its continuation will undoubtedly provide further value to anaesthesia and critical care practitioners across Western Australia.
Upcoming events
ANZCA | 2025 WA ACE Country Conference
The ACE WA Committee, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital are pleased to introduce the 2025 ACE WA Country Conference.
This conference will be held at the fabulous Cable Beach Resort in Broome, lectures will be held on the Saturday in the Sam Male room, while the workshops will be held on the Sunday morning. The program is currently under development.
The social activities include a complimentary delegate welcome event on the Friday evening on the Okari Deck at the Cable Beach Resort accompanied by music; partners and children are welcome. The Saturday evening function will be held by the Kichi Kichi restaurant and pool
June is the perfect time of the year to visit Broome, we look forward to welcoming you there.
Dr Pallavi Kumar and Dr Kiara VanMourik
Fiona Stanley Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital
2025 Country Conference Convenors
WA Final Exam Preparation Course
The WA Final Exam Preparation Course provides access to evening tutorials for up to 12 months prior to your exam. Interactive, small group discussions about a wide range of topics are facilitated by specialists.
Registrations are now available online for the following sittings:
For any questions, please contact Ineke Krom, ANZCA WA Administrative Officer.
WA Office Statistics
The WA Office has had an exceptionally busy and productive year in 2024, with numerous events, meetings, and educational activities taking place. Over the course of the year, the office has successfully facilitated 30 committee meetings, ensuring ongoing collaboration and strategic planning within the WA anaesthesia community. In addition to these committee meetings, the office has supported 8 exams, providing essential administrative and logistical assistance to ensure their smooth execution.
The educational focus has been a significant priority for the WA Office in 2024, with 30 tutorials conducted throughout the year, providing valuable learning opportunities for the trainees. Additionally, the office has hosted and attended 20 teleconferences, further supporting remote learning and communication within the anaesthesia community.
The ACE Lecture Series has been a major highlight, with 11 ACE events held throughout the year, including a mix of workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions, such as the highly regarded CICO Workshop, Anaphylaxis Workshop, and Morbidity and Mortality Workshops. These events have been well-attended and have provided essential hands-on learning experiences and updates on key clinical practices. Alongside these events, the WA Office has coordinated 11 courses, mainly focusing on training and hosted by Ms Ineke Krom. We also assisted in trainee interviews over three days in WA and over two days in QLD.
Overall, the WA Office has been incredibly active in 2024, delivering a diverse range of events, meetings, and educational programs that have made a significant impact on the local anaesthesia community. The office has played a key role in supporting professional development, facilitating communication, and ensuring that Western Australian anaesthetists remain at the forefront of their field.
End of Year operating hours
The ANZCA WA Regional Office will be closed from 24 December 2024 to 20 January 2025. We wish everyone a wonderful festive season and look forward to working with you again in the new year.