3 February 2020Some highlights: President's message | Aotearoa/NZ Anaesthesia ASM 2021 | PANNZ Update Meeting | NZSA Executive Committee | Reducing health sector's carbon footprint | Anaesthetic technician degree | Support Pacific colleagues - PACT | Wellbeing resources MPS | Promote climate action | In the media | webAIRS news | Events President's message![]() ![]() NZSA President Dr Sheila Hart Happy New Year to all our members and health sector colleagues. 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 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.
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 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 PacMac dates 2021 - 15 Feb, 19 April and 21 Sept (Wellington) 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. ![]() Advertising and quick links![]() |