3 February 2020

President's message

NZSA President Dr Sheila Hart

Happy New Year to all our members and health sector colleagues.

While NZ has largely continued to control COVID, it is a dramatically different story overseas. We have seen the vital frontline roles that anaesthesiologists are playing in managing COVID-19 patients in intensive care units across the world. While the pandemic continues to overwhelm health care systems abroad such as in the UK, we are truly fortunate to have the freedom to host face-to-face events.

Three upcoming events I would like to draw your attention to: 1) the ANZCA NZNC Cultural Safety and Leadership hui, 26-28 February, Waitangi Grounds, Bay of Islands. Book your leave now to attend to ensure you don't miss the outstanding program that will canvass themes of leadership, cultural safety and equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in health. More information and registrations here. I look forward to seeing you there.

2) The PANNZ Update Meeting 5-6 March in Rotorua and 3) the Aotearoa New Zealand Anaesthesia Annual Scientific Meeting 27-30 October in Christchurch (details for both in this issue of the E-Zine below).

Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia Annual Scientific Meeting 2021

Book your leave well ahead of time to attend the Aotearoa NZ Anaesthesia ASM (27-30 October, Christchurch), co-hosted by ANZCA NZNC, NZSA and NZATS. The programme has been developed to reflect the dynamic times we live in and the challenges we face looking after our patients and ourselves. Keep up to date on conference news and updates. Visit and bookmark the website here

PANNZ Update Meeting 2021

Jointly hosted by PANNZ and SPANZA (Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia in New Zealand and Australia).

5-6 March, 2021, Novotel Hotel, Rotorua
Early bird registrations close 5 Feb. A one-day course suitable for anaesthetists with an interest in paediatric anaesthesia and other staff (nursing/technical) wanting to upgrade their knowledge of paediatric anaesthetic management. The Paediatric Anaesthetist Network of New Zealand (PANNZ) maintains two-way collaboration and communication between paediatric anaesthetist services within regions, and with colleagues in different regions of the country. More details and registration here

NZSA Executive Committee

The NZSA Executive Committee is made up of NZSA members who volunteer their time to represent members and the specialty, chaired by NZSA President Dr Sheila Hart. Find out about your representatives, including the Executive portfolios they hold here. The Committee will hold its first teleconference for the year on Wed 10 February and a face-to-face meeting on Fri 15 March, which will include a planning session to guide 2021 projects. We will provide an update to members on key issues and initiatives discussed.

NZSA membership renewals

A reminder for NZSA membership renewals went out earlier this week. Thank you to all those members who have renewed their membership. If you have any queries please email our Membership Manager Lynne Mulder-Wood membership@anaesthesia .nz. Our new website will automatically send you a receipt, however if your DHB requires a more formal receipt, please contact Lynne and she will send this to you.

Health sector measures for carbon neutral public sector 2025 goal

The NZSA, through its Environmental and Sustainability Network, has written a letter to a number of Ministers and the Director-General of Health to express its support for the Government's goal of a carbon neutral public sector by 2025. The letter also recommends measures to enable our health sector to reduce our carbon (and entire environmental) footprint whilst also maintaining the highest standards of patient care. This will be an essential component for the Government to achieve its 2025 goal. An extract from the letter: "The NZSA recommends establishing a central body, modelled on the UK’s Sustainable Development Unit (SDU), which has been the primary driver for measuring the carbon footprint and implementing carbon reducing strategies in the NHS. A New Zealand SDU would work with DHBs, the relevant Ministries, and in particular with Pharmac. The role of a central multidisciplinary body to reduce duplication and disseminate successful strategies is pivotal." Read the full letter here

Anaesthetic Technician degree update

The Auckland University of Technology has been developing a degree program for anaesthetic technician training, which was due to begin in 2020, but was delayed due to COVID. The degree is now scheduled to come into effect this year. Intake for the diploma will continue into 2021 to minimise the supply gap due to the change in training model. We have been engaged in stakeholder meetings over the last two years on the proposed degree content, and in December we provided formal feedback on the proposed final program. Our main concerns are to ensure that the degree complies with the ANZCA professional standard, PS08. Importantly, there must be 12 months of clinical placement as this is an essential component of PS08. Read our submission here

We await the outcome of this process with interest to help ensure a sufficient supply of anaesthetic technicians, as many DHBs are already experiencing shortages. AUT has advised us that an inaugural Perioperative Practice Programme Advisory Committee will be established in the first quarter of this year.

Help us support our Pacific colleagues - PACT

What a fantastic way to begin 2021! We have 53 members who have signed up to donate and help fund a Pacific anaesthesia trainee through their Masters program at the Fiji National University.

PACT (Pacific Anaesthesia Collaborative Training) is an initiative from NZSA's Global Health Committee to support a sustainable anaesthesia workforce in the Pacific. We've had a great response since we launched this initiative at the NZSA conference last year in October.

We need 77 people in total (not far off!) to donate at least one coffee per week (or more if they wish) so we can fund the entire cost of the Masters program for a Pacific trainee's education.

Join your colleagues who have already signed up and help us reach our target. To donate click here

Wellbeing resources MPS

Did you know that the Medical Protection Society (MPS) provides wellbeing resources? Their resources make it easier to assess your own wellbeing and get the support you need.

MPS (In conjunction with the Medical Assurance Society), also offers counselling to members experiencing work-related stress, or stress that they feel could impact their practice. The counselling service is provided with the assistance of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call MPS for more information on 0800 2255 677 or email advice@mps.org.nz

Visit their wellbeing hub website page to view their resources including an app. The NZSA wellbeing page also has resources, and we are in the process of building this page up so if you have suggestions on what we can add please email us on comms@anaesthesia.nz

Promote climate action in your workplace!

OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council comprises health professionals in Aotearoa concerned with: the negative impacts of climate change on health; health gains possible through strong, health-centred climate action; impacts of climate change on those who experience disadvantage or ill-health (equity impacts); and reducing the health sector's contribution to climate change.

The NZSA is a member of OraTaiao and some NZSA members work within OraTaiao. We encourage you to promote the health benefits of climate action and OraTaiao at your workplace by putting up a flyer in your tea room and/or notice boards. Below are links to download and print out flyers. Choose A4 size or the smaller A5 size.

OraTaiao promotional flyer A4 size (PDF) - print out and pin up!
OraTaiao promotional flyer A5 size (PDF) - print this out on standard A4 paper and cut in half to make A5 size. Flyers can be printed on a home/work printer or for optimal results in a copy shop on 100gsm paper.

webAIRS

In January 2021, webAIRS received several incidents relating to anaphylaxis. These have been added to the ANA - Alerts on the webAIRS website, and a summary will be included in the next issue of the NZSA magazine. It is recommended that the Australian and New Zealand Allergy Group (ANZAAG) Guidelines are followed, and that the anaphylaxis box is used to assist with the management. These are available via links on the webAIRS, the ANZAAG, and the ANZCA websites.

A selection of incidents is available to view on the Advisory Notices for Anaesthetists (ANA) - Alerts page of the webAIRS website. To view the ANA - Alerts, please login or register webAIRS website or contact anztadc@anzca.edu.au

Dr Pieter Peach ANZTADC Chair | Dr Martin Culwick ANZTADC Medical Director | Susan Considine ANZTADC Coordinator

In the media

Climate Change Commission report
The changes needed for New Zealand to meet international emissions obligations have been released in the Climate Change Commission's Consultation report. The Spinoff has published an article summarising the recommendations to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 across sectors such as transport, power and waste. "Every home and business in the country will need to see a substantial shift in behaviour under far-reaching guidance by the Climate Change Commission... Without 'strong and decisive action' within the next few years, New Zealand will not meet its domestic or international climate targets." Read more. Coverage also Radio NZ and STUFF.

Lifebox

Are you familiar with the incredible work undertaken globally by Lifebox and the contribution of Australia and New Zealand? The NZSA's Global Health Committee (GHC) is a longtime supporter and contributor to Lifebox. We encourage you to read an article which provides an overview and update of Lifebox ANZ. Lifebox has also developed a special video about the Lifebox COVID response this past year. Visit the GHC page on the NZSA website.

Events

For more NZ events visit the NZSA events page

For international events visit the ACE website

PacMac dates 2021 - 15 Feb, 19 April and 21 Sept (Wellington)
The course is open to consultants with an interest in paediatric anaesthesia and the occasional paediatric anaesthetist working in DHBs and private hospitals. The course is approved for credit of the ‘Emergency responses (management of anaphylaxis)’ section of the ANZCA CPD programme.

Anaesthetic technicians and nurses may attend as observers by prior arrangement. More details on PacMac and other NZ events here

Anaesthesia Continuing Education

The 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.

The parent groups ANZCA, NZSA and ASA, host the site as members of the tripartite committee. Click here to add your event. Visit the ACE website and follow ACE on Twitter @ace_acecc