7 April 2017Some highlights in this issue: President's blog | NZSA forum - save the date | HDC consultation: informed consent | Affiliated Provider funding for anaesthetic consultations | Anaesthesia Visiting Lectureships | webAIRS update | PHARMAC anaesthetic submission | Membership fee renewal | New NZSA Membership Manager | Part 3 course | Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice | Annual Scientific Meeting 2017 | Prestigious prizes at ASM | Events on NZSA website President's blog
"The safest hospitals are those that reveal certain common cultural characteristics: shared core values of transparency, accountability, and mutual respect.”
NZSA forum - save the datePlease save the date of Saturday 29 July 2017 for this year's not-to-be missed NZSA Forum 'Behind the Scenes.' The forum's key focus will be on the topical themes of competency, recertification and medical college accreditation - especially in light of the MCNZ's proposed recertification changes for vocationally registered doctors. There will also be updates on other issues impacting your everyday practice such as assistants to the anaesthetist, neuromuscular blocking, health IT and ACC. We will have an excellent range of speakers from across the health sector, with plenty of time for questions. The event will be held at the University of Otago, 23A Mein Street, Newtown, Wellington and will be a full day event (9.00am-5.00pm). There will be a heavily discounted rate for NZSA members. The programme is almost finalised - in the meantime please save the date! Registrations will open soon. HDC consultation: informed consentThe Health and Disability Commission (HDC) has released a consultation paper on health and disability research involving adult consumers who are unable to consent to participating in research. New Zealand's existing law allows studies to proceed in relation to participants who are unable to consent if participation in the research is in their “best interests.” Recently, it has been argued that New Zealand’s laws regarding non-consensual research are too restrictive, and prohibit studies that could lead to significant improvements in health and disability services. The consultation focuses on two fundamental questions: are New Zealand’s current laws regarding non-consensual research appropriate and, if not, how should they be amended? The NZSA is developing a submission on this consultation and welcomes member comments to help inform our response at comms@anaesthesia.nz by 20 April 2017. AP funding for anaesthetic consultationsSouthern Cross has advised that anaesthetic and intensivist consultations will not be part of its Affiliated Provider (AP) only funding services for 2017. They say that while these are the only exceptions under their AP-only specialist consultation programme, they will continue their discussions with anaesthetists to investigate appropriate models of contracting with these two specialist groups. Pain specialists will be listed in Southern Cross' Health Care Finder directory and members will be using this to identify AP-only providers that they should use to be reimbursed. Anaesthesia Visiting LectureshipsTwo New Zealand Anaesthesia Visiting Lectureships have been awarded for 2017 by the New Zealand Anaesthesia Education Committee (NZAEC): Dr Mike Foss for his talk on The Complex Pain Patient in the Perioperative Environment, hosted by Wairarapa and Hutt Valley DHBs. The talk will be presented in Masterton on Thursday 25 May 5.30 - 7.00 pm and Lower Hutt on Friday 26 May, Dr Catherine Purdy for her talk on Substance Abuse in Anaesthesia to be hosted by Nelson Marlborough DHB and presented at Nelson Hospital on Tuesday 18 July 2017 at 12.30 pm. In addition, the MidCentral Lectureship will take place in Palmerston North on Friday 1 September 2017, where both lecturers will present. For further information visit the NZAEC website webAIRS updateThe Journal of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care has published the second of the webAIRS reports relating to the analysis of the first 4000 incidents. The report describes an analysis of patient and procedural factors associated with a higher proportion of harm (or death) once an incident occurs. These potential risk factors could be used to prompt earlier interventions or earlier requests for assistance when an incident occurs. It is also possible that educational strategies on incident prevention and management may benefit from further emphasis on scenarios involving these factors. Are you registered in webAIRS? Check out the website www.webAIRS.net, email anztadc@anzca.edu.au or call +61 3 9093 4923. Anaesthetic small equipment and consumablesThe NZSA today submitted its submission to PHARMAC in response to its request for proposals for the supply of anaesthesia small equipment and consumable products. We cautioned against awarding contracts to sole suppliers as this has significantly negative implications for health service delivery if issues arise regarding supply of equipment and consumables. We expressed support for consultation with the anaesthesia community to ensure transparency and to avoid previous pitfalls around supply. Read the full submission here Membership fee renewalAnother friendly reminder that NZSA membership renewal fees are due. Thank you to members who have already paid and we welcome payment if you have not yet done so. For information on payment options and an overview of our key work and achievements read our President's letter. If you have any queries contact us on membership@anaesthesia.nz, or 04 494 0124. New NZSA Membership ManagerLynne Wood has been appointed as our new Membership Manager, replacing Di Quirk who was in the role for two and a half years. Lynne has over 30 years of experience in reception, secretarial and administration roles, with strong skills in managing membership databases and accounts. She worked for an Intellectual Property firm for 20 years and more recently spent eight years at Mary Potter Hospice in the education and quality team, where she updated policies, organised education seminars and provided oversight of the team. Lynne is married with two teenage children and her leisure activities include walking her new puppy, reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Regional anaesthesia surveyAn online survey has been launched to gather feedback on a new technology which may make it easier for anaesthetists to site regional anaesthesia. The survey is being conducted by the Universities of Edinburgh, Dundee and Heriot Watt University, and a clinical team at NHS Lothian. You can participate in the survey here Part 3 course - save the dateAttention trainees: the NZSA is running the Part 3 course again this year which will be held at the Holiday Inn, at Auckland Airport. Please save the date of 30 November 2017. The course is designed for advanced trainees and will feature workshops, small group discussions and interactive presentations. Information on the course will soon be posted on the NZSA website. Registrations open in the next few weeks. Note that capacity is limited to 24 participants. If you would like to express your interest in attending Part 3 please email our Membership Manager Lynne Wood at membership@anaesthesia.nz Recertification of vocationally registered doctorsYou can read the NZSA's submission on our website in response to the Medical Council of New Zealand's (MCNZ) Consultation on strengthening recertification for vocationally registered doctors. We highlighted that ANZCA’s continuing professional development programme is arguably one of the most comprehensive among medical colleges and covers most aspects of what is valid to assess. We expressed some concerns including the use of performance data to identify personal development needs; and stipulating separate, mandatory CPD requirements for the ageing doctor. We said we would not be in favour of regular practice reviews becoming mandatory, which would be laborious and expensive, reducing anaesthesia workforce capacity. AIC Junior Research AwardApplications are invited for the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Junior Research Award from ASA, NZSA, or ANZICS members who are in training or within five years of their specialist qualification. To be eligible, applicants must be the first author of a paper published in ‘Anaesthesia and Intensive Care’ in 2016. Ideally the paper would describe work conducted in Australia or New Zealand. The award will be made on the basis of the scientific merit and originality of the paper. The award will be made separately to the ‘Jeanette Thirlwell Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Best Paper Award’ and will carry the same cash prize and cover the same expenses to attend the annual ASA National Scientific Congress to receive the award. Applications in the form of a letter indicating the name of the paper and the date published should be addressed to the Chief Editor, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care by 30 April 2017 at aic@asa.org.au Nurse practitioner scope of practiceThe new scope of practice and prescribed qualification for nurse practitioners came into effect on 6 April 2017. More information can be read about the new scope, as well as information about NP education, including the new education programme, standards and competencies. This is the first major change since the establishment of the nurse practitioner role in 2001, with the scope of practice broadened as it removes the requirement that nurse practitioners register in a specific area of practice. The Nursing Council says that the revised scope provides flexibility to enable nurse practitioners to safely and appropriately meet the growing demand for healthcare. Annual Scientific Meeting 2017New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM)
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