7 July 2021Some highlights: President's blog | NZSA-NZNC Joint meeting | End-of-Life Choice Act news | Aotearoa NZ ASM | ADHB first to introduce NRFiT in NZ hospitals | Sustainability awards Drs Rob Burrell and Matt Jenks | New look Visiting Lectureships | Inpatient pain meeting | In the media - Prof Alan Merry and Dr Wayne Morriss President's blogNZSA President Dr Sheila Hart We are on the cusp of significant change in our health and disability system, including the formation of HealthNZ and the Māori Health Authority. NZSA President Dr Sheila Hart writes that while there is some cynicism among those who have seen such reforms several times in their career "there is cautious optimism that the changes will bring improvement." We are also seeing more resources and information from the Ministry of Health as it makes progress to implement the End-of-Life Choice Act. More here
NZSA and ANZCA NZNC joint meetingThe annual joint meeting of the NZSA and ANZCA NZNC was held on 2 July in Wellington. It was wonderful to meet in person and have the opportunity to discuss a range of issues, especially as last year's meeting had been cancelled due to COVID restrictions. At a time of impending change in our health sector it was timely to welcome four guest speakers to provide updates on the Health and Disability Review and the End-of-Life Choice Act implementation. Below are some brief summaries of these talks and we recommend you read our President's latest blog for a more comprehensive update. Our speakers from
the Health and Disability Review Transition Unit described the new model as "centrally planned and regionally managed, a distributed system with local strong operations" and said that a core goal is to reduce disparities and inconsistent care throughout the country. The new entity Health NZ will commission health services and drive models of care and service delivery. The new Māori Health Authority will not be a separate system but tightly interwoven into Health NZ. There would be strong support for innovation in primary care where many Māori kaupapa providers operate. They outlined the timeline for changes with interim boards and CEOs due to be in place for the new entities in September and formally in place by next July. Attendees raised issues including the need for appropriate funding to implement reforms, the necessity of having
an aligned IT infrastructure, and the need for improvements in data collection and accessibility. Read the latest updates from the transition unit here. End-of-Life Choice Act - newsNZSA EOLC Act member survey Aotearoa New Zealand Anaesthesia Annual Scientific MeetingRegister for the Aotearoa/New Zealand Anaesthesia Annual Scientific Meeting (27-30 October, Christchurch). Join us and be part of thought-provoking and exciting conversations about our specialty. NZSA stakeholder functionWe held our stakeholder function last Friday (and earlier in the year than usual to introduce new NZSA CEO Michele Thomas to our stakeholders). In her speech NZSA President Dr Sheila Hart described our stakeholder relationships as enduring and vital as we work towards common goals. "We appreciate your goodwill and generosity in supporting each other and working together." Dr Hart also acknowledged NZSA members who volunteer their time to support the NZSA's work. "We have a growing number who are engaging with us in a range of ways, especially as members of our sub-specialty anaesthesia networks, as well as our sub-committees and of course, our Executive Committee." ADHB first to introduce NRFitTM across its hospitalsOver Queen’s birthday weekend, Auckland DHB introduced the new small bore medical device standard for neuraxial equipment ISO 80369-6, or NRFitTM, across its three hospital sites. ADHB is the first in New Zealand, and probably the second in Australasia, to adopt this new standard which aims to prevent wrong route drug errors through its incompatibility with existing Luer connectors. "In addition to the hurdles of setting up import and ongoing supply of NRFitTM products, implementation was even more challenging due to the manufacturing and logistical constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic, although now that these have been established other DHBs should be able to make the change to NRFitTM more easily." Sustainable healthcare conferenceThe 2021 Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Conference Aotearoa held last month featured talks on mitigation and adaptation strategies, innovation and research. Well done to the organisers (Ora Taiao: NZ Health and Climate Council, the Sustainable Health Sector National Network, University of Otago Wellington and Global Green and Healthy Hospitals). Some key messages: Sustainability champion awardsCongratulations to NZSA members Dr Rob Burrell (Middlemore Hospital) and Dr Matt Jenks (Dunedin Hospital), recipients of the inaugural Climate Health Champions Aotearoa Award, presented at the Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Aotearoa Conference. The awards celebrate those who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day work to support, advocate for, or implement positive environmental change to protect the health of New Zealanders from climate change. PHARMAC review submissionThe Government's review of PHARMAC focuses on how well PHARMAC performs against its current objectives and how its performance against these could be improved. A range of factors are being considered, including timeliness and transparency of decision-making, and equity in terms of access to medicines and devices for Māori and Pacific peoples. More information about the review is on the PHARMAC website. New-look Visiting Lectureship seriesDr Nick Lightfoot and Dr Rob Burrell will inform and entertain you with the inaugural new-look Visiting Lectureship Series (2 September at 6pm) in a webinar format. The series was set up originally to share presentations with smaller regional hospitals. However, now that so many of us are webinar and Zoom savvy, courtesy of the year of COVID-19, the Aotearoa New Zealand Anaesthesia Education Committee (ANZAEC) has decided to give the whole country the opportunity to see our top researchers and presenters.
More details and registration here Inpatient Pain Network meetingThe NZSA is proud to support the Inpatient Pain Network meeting on 26 November at the University of Otago, Wellington Hospital. Registrations are now open! The meeting aims to provide: targeted education for regional pain services, networking opportunities, and a place to celebrate our joint efforts providing pain management in New Zealand. More information and registration details here. In the mediaProfessor Alan Merry shared his wisdom and insights on improving patient safety through systemic improvements, which ensure accountability without being punitive. He would like to see improved focus on why things go wrong in the medical system, and the appropriate legal response when they do. Radio NZ interview with Kim Hill here. NZSA and ASA Mynamar statementThe NZSA and the Australian Society of Anaesthetists have issued a joint statement in response to the 1 February coup d'état in Myanmar, calling for effective political action and economic sanctions to help the people of Mynamar reclaim their democratic freedoms. The statement includes an expression of support for medical colleagues. Read the statement here. Wellbeing support for membersThe NZSA wellbeing page has a range of resources, including the Long Lives Healthy Workplaces, a toolkit for Anaesthesia Departments. This was originally developed in Australia and thanks to the great work of Dr Jo Sinclair there is a tailored version for New Zealand. Access here. webAIRSThe current WebAIRS database has over 9000 reports, and 18% of the reports include an incident involving medication. An analysis of the WebAIRS medication incident reports has been accepted for publication in the journal Anesthesia and Intensive Care and will available online and in print later in the year. We encourage anaesthetists to report an incident to webAIRS, to assist in improving quality patient care at a local and national level. Please login or register: webAIRS website Professor Alan Merry, one of the ANZTADC’s founding members, was interviewed last month on Radio NZ discussing the topic making our medical system safer and his latest book, ‘Medication Safety during Anaesthesia and the Perioperative Period’ co-written with Dr Joyce Wahr. Listen here AQUA conference - fully bookedNZSA President Dr Sheila Hart and NZSA CEO Michele Thomas look forward to catching up with delegates. Annual Queenstown Update in Anaesthesia (AQUA), 19-21 August 2021, Queenstown WFSA Virtual World Congress 2021Experience the latest science in anaesthesiology and perioperative medicine, interact with global experts and advance your knowledge and career (1-5 Sept 2021). 100+ scientific sessions – live and on-demand, 400+ international speakers, 1800+ posters, workshops, and Meet-the-Experts. Review and watch sessions for three months post-conference. Without travel and accommodation expenses, WFSA aims to welcome the largest global community of anaesthesia and perioperative care providers ever assembled for a congress www.WCA2021.org EventsFor more NZ events visit the NZSA events page The 13th International Symposium on Paediatric Pain, 24-27 March 2022, The Cordis Hotel, Auckland Anaesthesia Continuing EducationThe ACE website is a one-stop shop for anaesthesia events. Members convening conferences, workshops or meetings, which assist CPD requirements, are encouraged to add their event to the website. Advertising - thanks for your supportMaking healthcare better is our priority and we believe technology can play an even greater role in improving people’s lives. In addition to alleviating pain, restoring health, extending lives, we work with others to create seamless, more efficient care. Learn how we’re taking healthcare Further, Together at Medtronic.com WM Bamford is an independently owned NZ company with extensive
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