National 20 April 2021
Kia ora

CME travel is a hot topic at the moment - here is some initial advice.

CME and the trans-Tasman travel bubble

With the much-anticipated trans-Tasman travel bubble now operating, some of you may be thinking of jetting across the Tasman for a holiday or for CME.

ASMS has been working with other medical unions, in consultation with the DHBs, to develop some sensible guidelines around staff travel to Australia.

We hope this advice will shortly be agreed and shared. In the meantime, we expect the following principles to apply:

1. CME is an entitlement.
2. If you meet the usual requirements for CME travel, then your travel should be approved.

However, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of:

  • “Flyer beware” – if you get stuck on the wrong side of the ditch, you will most likely have to fund the leave yourself (from your annual leave balance). The same applies if you are ordered into isolation or MIQ.
     
  • It is sensible and useful to have a risk assessment discussion with your CD and service manager about how you might be able to work/contribute to the service (or take leave) in the unlikely event that you are away longer than planned.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your ASMS industrial officer. Find the industrial for your region here.


Nominate your Branch President and Vice-President

Don’t forget to nominate your colleagues or put yourself forward for the positions of Branch President and Vice President. These positions are open at every ASMS branch and are for three years. They play a critical role in helping to get the voices of SMOs and SDOs heard at a local level and keeping ASMS informed on local issues and concerns. The closing date for nominations is Friday 21 May. You can find more information and nomination forms here.

Creating Solutions conference – register now!

Registrations are now open for the Creating Solutions – Towards better health equity for all conference. The virtual conference is on July 2-3 and is being co-hosted by ASMS and the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust. We have put together an exciting programme of national and international speakers and health sector leaders.  

The conference will be opened by the Health Minister Andrew Little with a keynote address by the established British health equity researcher Sir Michael Marmot.  All those attending will be asked to actively contribute to practical solutions to growing health inequities, and a list of recommendations will be taken to government. This is going to be a worthwhile and meaningful event, which also qualifies for CME points, so register now to take part.


Health sector reform

It’s going to be a big week in the health sector with the Minister Andrew Little set to lay out the future shape and structure of the health system tomorrow. He is expected to detail which recommendations from the Health and Disability System Review will be implemented and how they will be rolled out. ASMS has been invited to a special briefing around the announcement and will be keeping a close eye on developments to report back on specific issues of interest to our members.

Interesting times!
 

Ngā mihi.

Sarah Dalton
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR