17 September 2021 

Some highlights:  President's blog | NZSA President's Award | BWT Ritchie Scholarship | COVID vaccination - NZ doctors unite | ANZ Anaesthesia ASM | Māori Language Week | NZSA photo competition | Part 3 Course | Award for Dr Morgan Edwards | End-of-Life Choice Act | In the media | Events

Nominate an anaesthetist for the inaugural NZSA President's Award!

We have created this award to recognise the contribution of colleagues to anaesthesia, the NZSA and our wider health system.  At a time when our health system, which was already under pressure, is dealing with the Covid response, health reforms, and end-of-life care implementation there are so many who continue to go the extra mile. To nominate an anaesthetist for this award visit the NZSA website. The award will be presented at this year's AGM, to be held at the Annual Scientific Meeting in Christchurch (27-30 October). 

The BWT Scholarship supports fellowships or projects that will significantly benefit anaesthesia in New Zealand. Applications for 2022 close 24 October.

Eligibility and criteria: The Scholarship assists New Zealand-based anaesthesia trainees who have passed the final examination for fellowship of ANZCA and are eligible to proceed to training year 5, to gain overseas experience and bring it back to New Zealand. It is also open to those who wish to undertake a further year of study outside New Zealand in the year following completion of their ANZCA fellowship; and to anaesthetists with FANZCA who are also training in pain medicine or intensive care medicine, who have reached a similar stage for those fellowships. Please note that criteria has been widened now to also include New Zealand based experience where deemed exceptional and worthy of scholarship. Applicants must be nominated and supported by their training departments. 

Full criteria and how to apply are on the ANZAEC website

The NZSA has joined medical colleges and other health organisations endorsing an open letter in support of COVID vaccination. Doctors Stand Up For Vaccination is a grassroots initiative by the doctors of Aotearoa New Zealand to reassure the public about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. The NZSA has also been encouraging all doctors to sign this letter, which has been reviewed by public health physicians and also includes a FAQ document. Read and sign here. 

Over 5000 doctors have now signed and the letter was commended by the Director-General of Health earlier this week. Follow Doctors Stand Up For Vaccination on Twitter @NZDRSUV  The letter is featured in this STUFF article 'It is safe, it is effective, it will help you.' 

Register for the NZSA's highly regarded Part 3 Course (30 October in Ōtautahi, Christchurch). Advice and practical tips, including interview preparation, to help provisional fellows and senior trainees transition to becoming SMOs. Highly interactive course, and an opportunity to hear from SMOs about their experiences. Details on the NZSA Events page. For queries please email our Membership Manager Lynne Mulder-Wood membership@anaesthesia.nz

Thank you to our speakers Dr Nick Lightfoot (research) and Dr Rob Burrell (environmental sustainability) for their excellent presentations on 2 September as part of our online Visiting Lectureships. We had a great turnout and a full on Q & A session.  Recordings of the lectureships will be made available to members soon. The Lectureships were proudly hosted by the Aotearoa New Zealand Education Committee.

Stay up-to-date on NZSA activities between emails, E-Zines and the magazine by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Linked In. We've been growing our social media platforms significantly in the last year - keeping you informed of events, news, member achievements and advocacy. 

Ministry of Health information
The Ministry is implementing the End of Life Choice Act to establish an assisted dying service in New Zealand from 7 November 2021. The MOH website outlines the rights and responsibilities of health practitioners under the Act (whether involved in assisted dying, or wishing to conscientiously object).

Virtual Assisted Dying Workforce Forum, 29 & 30 September 2021
MOH is hosting a virtual forum for health practitioners who may be involved in delivering parts of the assisted dying service. The forum will provide information about assisted dying services and establish networks with peers. Register here

Ministry of Health learning modules
The Ministry’s LearnOnline portal has an assisted dying implementation learning section for health professionals. This includes the online module: the End of Life Choice Act 2019 overview - recommended for all health professionals as it explains your obligations under the Act. 

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and assisted dying implementation
Assisted dying services are aiming to support a Māori worldview of health to ensure they are culturally and clinically safe, as well as equitable. More here

The NZSA webpage has collated EOLC Act information updates here. You can also sign up for MOH email updates on implementation and resources.

NZSA President Dr Sheila Hart and NZSA staff attended the virtual launch and screening of Pou hirihiri, Pou o te aroha: Healing and learning from harm, a film that focuses on a restorative approach after a harmful event from healthcare.

This approach enables those affected to come together in a safe and supportive environment to talk openly about what happened and the impact it has had on their lives. It is also an opportunity to clarify responsibility for actions, and for healing and learning through participation, respectful listening and discussion. 

View the film here, developed by the Centre of Restorative Justice in consultation with health sector and Māori partners, and funded by the Health Quality & Safety Commission, ACC and the Centre of Restorative Justice.

Following the deferral of elective procedures in Auckland, anaesthetist Dr Julian Fuller and other senior doctors from the Waitematā District Health Board have been volunteering their time as Covid-19 vaccinators. Dr Fuller says he has particularly enjoyed his work with Waipareira Trust in Henderson and on the first day the team vaccinated 1700. Read the Radio NZ interview here

Dr Michael Mosley talks to Radio NZ's Jesse Mulligan about small changes to boost health and happiness - walking, nutrition, spending time outdoors and the philosophical habit of counting your blessings. "One simple way to do that is to reflect on three good things that happened. It's part of a sort of movement known as positive psychology. And, yeah, it sounds incredibly simple and trivial. But it's surprisingly effective." Interview here, including link to Dr Mosley's new podcast "Just One Thing."