SA/NT quarterly updates

The Gastric Ultrasound Workshop held at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 22 March was an unquestionable success, with participants actively engaging in hands-on activities and insightful discussions. Tickets sold out within 24 hours with many on the waiting list. Presented by Dr Nav Sidhu a staff specialist at North Shore Hospital, Auckland and the director of medical admissions at the University of Auckland. He is the convener of the first dedicated gastric ultrasound workshop in Australasia. Over 25 attendees left with a deeper understanding of gastric ultrasound in various states (fasted, fluid and satiated) with the help of 6 medical student models, equipped with practical skills they could immediately apply. 

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the clear presentation, interactive format, and valuable takeaways. The collaborative environment fostered learning and connection, making it an excellent and impactful experience for both participants and medical students.

_{Image: (L to R) Victoria Van Der Schyff, Brenda Cassidy, Charles Clegg}

The May 2025 SA ACE Meeting was an engaging and highly informative evening on the topic of The Business of Medicine, the event addressed two timely and impactful topics: financial strategies for early retirement and the evolving role of AI in patient consultations.

The keynote session, How to Plan for Early Retirement and Avoid the 47% Tax on Your Super, offered attendees actionable insights into optimising superannuation and managing long-term financial wellbeing. Expert speakers broke down complex tax scenarios and retirement planning strategies in a way that was accessible, relevant, and immediately applicable.

Adding further depth to the evening, discussions around AI in Patient Consultations explored the current and future implications of artificial intelligence in clinical practice. Attendees appreciated the balanced perspective provided—highlighting both opportunities for improved efficiency and care, as well as ethical considerations and the importance of maintaining the human connection in medicine.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Participants described the event as "eye-opening," "professionally valuable," and "highly relevant to modern medical practice." The informal setting at The Lion Hotel contributed to an atmosphere of collegiality and open dialogue, with many taking the opportunity to network and exchange ideas over refreshments.

A sincere thank you to all who attended and to our expert presenters for sharing their time and insights. We look forward to welcoming you to our next SA ACE event.

Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine training was showcased at the careers expo on 3 June organised by Flinders University and held at the Royal Darwin Hospital. Trainees Josh Tobin and Joseph De Zylva provided a hands-on display for medical students and junior doctors, sparking interest in the field of anaesthesia.  

The 2025 Northern Territory Anaesthesia Continuing Education (NT ACE) Conference, held on Saturday, 21 June at the Darwin Convention Centre, was a notable success. With the theme “Staying Cool Under Heat,” the event focused on navigating risk and uncertainty in high-pressure clinical settings—timely and vital themes in anaesthetic practice. 

Attended by healthcare professionals from across Australia, the conference balanced clinical depth with cultural awareness and local hospitality. Highlights included expert-led sessions on anaesthesia, critical care, and perioperative medicine, hands-on workshops, from Gastric Ultrasound to Cultural Safety training and ending the day with a warm and lively networking dinner at Wharf One Food & Wine, set against the stunning Darwin waterfront. 

Attendees praised the event for its relaxed, local atmosphere and tropical charm, which made for an engaging and collegial learning experience. The NT ACE 2025 was more than a professional gathering—it felt like a community reconnecting.

Please join us on 4 August in North Adelaide for a face to face CME evening as we learn about the investigations and pitfalls of CRPS.  Click here for more information and to register.  

We welcome you to the 2025 SA ACE Conference which will be held Saturday, 13 September at the Hilton Adelaide.  The theme is “Spring into CPD” and delegates will have the opportunity to embrace the season of growth and renewal!  The conference is a dynamic, single-day CPD opportunity designed to meet your ANZCA CPD requirements. 

This full range program includes three keynote presentations from respected experts (category 2 CPD), a clinical audit, and an M&M session (category 1 CPD). During the afternoon you’ll also have the chance to attend your choice of regional ultrasound or emergency response workshops (category 3 CPD).

Click here for more information and to register.