29 July 2020Some highlights: NZSA 2020 conference | NZSA AGM 2020 | NZSA appointments to WFSA Committees | PHARMAC sole supply model | NZSA website update | COVID-19 'the new normal' webinar | Wellness tool for anaesthetists | webAIRS news | Common Issues Group | Environmental webinars | In the Media NZ Anaesthesia conference 2020We are delighted to announce that registrations will soon open for the NZSA conference Anaesthesia 2020: Emerge, Reflect and Reconnect. Join us in Wellington at the TSB Arena, 16-17 October, with optional pre-conference workshops on 15 October. If you cannot make it in person we are also offering a virtual option for 16-17 Oct. Trainees - please note that as part of the workshop day we are running the Part 3 course for half a day, and will provide details very soon. This will be an outstanding opportunity to emerge, reflect and reconnect as a specialty in what has been a tumultuous year. We will offer: topical content with diverse, stimulating topics, top calibre speakers, and ample opportunities to connect with colleagues, especially through our social
program. We look forward to welcoming you. Dr David Kibblewhite Propofol update from PHARMACPHARMAC reports that there is currently no shortage of propofol in New Zealand. However, internationally propofol is in short supply and PHARMAC has worked with the supplier (Fresenius Kabi) to ensure that there is sufficient supply to meet ongoing demand. "While there is no current shortage, we ask that clinicians do not stockpile propofol. Stockpiling affects equitable access to stock across Aotearoa New Zealand and makes it very difficult for suppliers and PHARMAC to forecast future demand." More here including PHARMAC contact details. NZSA Annual General Meeting 2020The NZSA's 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Wellington on Friday 16 October 2020 (time to be confirmed, approx midday) at TSB Arena, where we will also be holding our NZSA Conference Anaesthesia 2020: Emerge, Reflect and Reconnect. The agenda and papers will be circulated to all members in due course. All members are welcome to attend. NZSA appointments to WFSA committeesCongratulations to NZSA members Dr Indu Kapoor, who has been appointed as a member of the WFSA's Paediatric Committee and Dr Sue Nicholl, appointed to the WFSA's Wellbeing Committee. The NZSA was very pleased to support these outstanding candidates and to provide a letter of endorsement during the nomination process. The NZSA thanks you for your commitment to strengthen our global connections, our specialty, and patient care throughout the world. WFSA key achievements 2019-2020Significant advances were made to strengthen global anaesthesia last year by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA). Highlights include several thousand clinicians participating in the WFSA's anaesthesiologist-led in-country training programmes and WFSA advocacy to promote anaesthesioloigy as an essential component of global health. Anaesthesia and intensive care specialists are also playing vital roles on the front-line of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To support these colleagues, WFSA is providing practical, up-to-date clinical information and resources to care for
COVID patients. PHARMAC sole supply modelPHARMAC is consulting on a proposal to move away from sole supply status to enable “greater flexibility” to respond to patients impacted by brand changes. Under Pharmac’s proposed approach, the principal supplier’s brand would be the main brand funded in the community supplying up to 95 per cent of the market – but with an allowance for other brands to also be funded or purchased. PHARMAC is now consulting with suppliers and will broaden consultation to the healthcare sector and public in August. AQUAAnnual Queenstown Update in Anaesthesia (AQUA) NZSA website redevelopment updateWe are making good progress on redeveloping our website - this is a substantial task and a top priority as we want to offer members an improved site with easy to find information, regularly updated content, and visually appealing design. This redevelopment will also ensure that the website is effective across different desktops, mobile devices and browsers. While most of the website will be on a public site, member registrations/payments, and members only information will require members to log in to access the information. To help ensure that content meets the needs of members we have been working with our Executive Committee on various sections, including private practice, trainees, and our networks. Our new site will be considerably different to our current one, so we will provide guidance to members on how to find information and navigate the different sections. Older information will be archived, so if there is anything you cannot find please contact the office for assistance. We are now updating content and hope to begin testing the new site in the next week, and to launch the website once this process is completed. COVID-19 'the new normal' webinarThe Australian Government Department of Health, in conjunction with The COVID-19 Critical Care Coordination Collaborative (FiveC) of which NZSA is a member, held a webinar last week. You can access the webinar through this recorded link. Hear Dr Nick Coatsworth, Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and a panel of guest speakers discuss ‘COVID-19, the new normal.’ A range of issues were covered including;
Healthy workplaces, long livesWellness toolkit for anaesthesia departments The toolkit is an initiative of the Wellbeing of Anaesthetists Special Interest Group (SIG) and Everymind (a leading institute dedicated to the prevention of mental ill health), with support from the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. Common Issues GroupThe Common Issues Group (anaesthesia societies from Australia, United States, UK and Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa) will be meeting on 10 September (NZ time) via Zoom. Some of the topics to be discussed include: Ongoing COVID-19 challenges, PPE, drug shortages, critical care, return to surgery, well-being, and workforce. Also on the agenda is the possibility of a CIG COVID-webinar for all CIG societies' members. Logistically this is big undertaking and requires planning and approval. The ASA (United States) will hold its annual conference ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 (2-5 October) virtually, and is offering a heavily reduced rate. Registration will be $399 USD for NZSA members. If you are an ASA (US) member you can get a further discounted rate of $99 USD. Registrations open in August and we will keep you updated when we have more information. RMO rotation dates for 2021As COVID-19 affected many junior doctor learning experiences and training opportunities, there has been a decision at senior level to move the rotational change dates from November/December 2020 to January/February 2021. This brings our working year more in line with the Australian states. The exact effect on all RMOs has not yet been publicised, but ANZCA rotational supervisors and SOTs are working on what this will mean for anaesthesia trainees. The NZSA is supportive of the change as outlined in our submission during the consultation process. webAIRS newsThe Australian and New Zealand Tripartite Anaesthetic Data Committee (ANZTADC) held its first 2020 meeting via zoom on 29 June. The following new committee members were welcomed to their first meeting; Dr Vanessa Beavis, ANZCA President, NZ; Mr Nigel Fidgeon, ANZCA CEO; and Dr Tim Basevi, ANZCA member, NSW. WebAIRS incidents continue to increase, with 8112 incidents reported by 3740 registered users from 208 registered sites, as at 30 June 2020. WebAIRS Data Analyst Heather Reynolds, was recognised for achieving a career milestone of 10 years of service to the college: analysing webAIRS data to be published in society magazines, bulletins and journals, and assisting in designing scientific meeting presentations. Anaesthetists from NZ and Australia are encouraged to report incidents to webAIRS, to assist in improving quality patient care at a local and national level. Please login or register on the webAIRS website Health funding investmentThe Government's additional investment of $302 million into health services is “designed to further build our ability to respond to the global pandemic now and into the future,” said Health Minister Chris Hipkins when making the funding announcement last week. The disruption to global supply chains has made medicines more expensive so part of this funding ($150 million over two years) has been allocated to PHARMAC. Increased health funding will also go towards more ventilators, respiratory equipment and PPE supplies, to enhance contact tracking, and to support the roll-out of a future vaccine (the current National Immunisation Register is not deemed fit for purpose and the Government concedes it “simply could not cope with the scale and complexity of a mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign.”) Environmental webinarsWebinar series presented by experts in climate and health Anaethesia and Pain Management Research ReviewThe latest issue of the Anaesthesia and Pain Management Research Review is out and features an article reporting on a large number of definitions used in observational studies to define persistent opioid use. Other highlights include:
Note that this is a free publication - register or login to read. Choosing Wisely and equityThe Choosing Wisely (CW) campaign aims to reduce unnecessary tests/treatments by promoting better shared decision-making between health professionals and patients. A new CW report has been released to provide an in-depth understanding of Māori health consumers and health practitioners’ perspectives on shared decision-making in healthcare. The report outlines strategies to inform an equity focused CW campaign. In the mediaCoronavirus: Please stop calling healthcare workers ‘heroes’ COVID related lung injury - articleUltrasound imaging potentially has a large role to play in supporting the management of lung injury in COVID-19 patients. In a recent paper in the E-journal 'Anaesthesia', a number of ways were outlined in which lung ultrasound can be used, including how different work forces can be trained to provide such imaging. One of the lead authors Dr Mike Smith, from Cardiff University, UK has provided us with the open access journal article, which he says has generated much interest worldwide. Read here 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 and quick links |