News

Final communication materials for the 1 November 2021 changes to MBS varicose vein items have now been published on MBS Online.

The Government is currently undertaking an extensive revision of the prostheses list (PL), scheduled for completion in February 2022. This involves removing coverage for some miscellaneous products but importantly a proposed expansion of the scope of the list to cover non implanted medical devices. There are a couple of proposed deletions which will impact on IR.

TROG Cancer Research is hosting its inaugural TROG Concept Development Workshop (CDW). This half-day workshop will be hosted in a virtual format on Friday 03 December 2021 from 9:00am to 12:30pm with mentors from TROG Scientific Committee and other invited experts.

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has engaged the public and doctors through the campaign to date, however much more work is needed to continue this campaign and grow the momentum required to Send The Eagle Home.

The Department of Health has received further feedback on the draft descriptors for MBS varicose veins items and has subsequently made minor changes to remove ‘in a patient who has significant symptoms arising from venous reflux, such as limb swelling, discolouration or discomfort‘ and replace it with the following:  in a patient who has significant signs or symptoms of venous reflux including at least one of the following: (a) ache, pain, tightness, skin irritation, heaviness or muscle cramps (b) limb swelling, discolouration or discomfort (c) other complaints attributable to venous dysfunction

The ASM scientific program sessions are being edited and will be available for all ASM delegates to view within the next two weeks.

9 - 11 August - The QT Hotel, Queenstown

We would like to advise that 22.5 RANZCR CPD points can be claimed for attendance at the IRSA 2021 ASM - Interventional Oncology held 29 June – 1 July 2021.

The IRSA Gold Medal is the highest accolade to be awarded by IRSA. This award acknowledges significant contribution to promotion, teaching, research, and overall advancement of the specialty of Interventional Radiology (IR) in Australia and New Zealand. Professor Buckenham was presented this most prestigious award at the IRSA ASM on 30 June 2021.

IRSA are pleased to advise that winner of the IRSA 2021 Registrar Abstract Prize is Dr Nicholas Cheung for his submission of Stability of Doxorubicin in Radiocontrast Medium for Use in Conventional TACE Procedures.

The IRSA Executive Committee Election for the period 2021 - 2023 took place at the IRSA AGM 30 June 2021.

Did you miss a satellite symposium at ET 2021 or want to revisit a topic of special interest to you? Remember that all industry content, including the seven comprehensive satellite symposia hosted by the most important players in the field, remain available free of charge via the congress platform!

On behalf of its members the Council of Procedural Specialists have provided a response on 7 June 2021 to the ACCC in relation the Draft Determination regarding Honeysuckle Health.

We are pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for a new position within the ASM organising committee– ASM Junior Convenor.

The Hon Emma Hurst MP NSW gave notice in Parliament recognising Adenomyosis awareness month and called for changes to out-of-pocket expenses related to having an MRI to diagnose Adenomyosis. 

Due to popular demand, IRSA members can now access the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) online for $55AUD for the year.

The Australian recommendations for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma were developed by more than sixty expert clinicians with the principle aim of improving the standard of care provided to patients suffering with this condition in Australia. This online, unabridged version of the recommendations provides detailed background information including technical notes.

An information pamphlet developed by BSIR and RCR has been released to assist with providing information around Women working in Interventional Radiology

In 2016, IRSA applied to MSAC to restore public funding for a selected patient group likely to benefit from early vertebroplasty. The application was based on the VAPOUR trial. We are pleased to announce MSAC has supported the application for the patient subgroup in the VAPOUR trial who showed greatest benefit from vertebroplasty. The decision is published on the MSAC website as a Public Summary Document (PSD).

In March 2019, the Interventional Radiology Committee released a white paper on Interventional Radiology for consultation to College members and other key stakeholders. The document was developed with the purpose of informing the College membership and stakeholder groups of the current and long-term positioning of IR and INR in Australia and New Zealand.

IRSA would like to inform it’s members of the latest TGA statement on paclitaxel-coated products used in the peripheral arteries.

IRSA would like to highlight the recent update on the consensus guidelines on anticoagulants in interventional radiology published in JVIR. These are excellent and comprehensive reviews to help guide practice relevant to all IR's. Davidson JC et al. (2019). Society of Interventional Radiology Consensus Guidelines for the Periprocedural Management of Thrombotic and Bleeding Risk in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Image-Guided Interventions-Part I: Review of Anticoagulation Agents and Clinical Considerations. Journal [...]