The ‘NZMA - Vital Signs’ Category

NZMA position on euthanasia
The NZMA has fielded many media inquiries on the issue of euthanasia this week. Media interest has been in response to the public challenging by former North Shore GP, Dr John Pollock, who has terminal cancer and is advocating for legalised voluntary euthanasia in New Zealand. NZMA Chair Dr Peter Foley has conducted numerous interviews stating the NZMA’s position, which is in line with the World Medical Association and almost all international national medical associations, which opposes euthanasia* and doctor assisted suicide as unethical. The NZMA is not against individuals having a choice said Dr Foley on TV One’s Close Up programme. “What we are against, is then involving the doctor, in assisting the outcome of the choice.” In interviews, including in last night’s Close Up where Dr Foley appeared alongside Dr Pollock, he was able to emphasise to him the availability of effective palliative care to manage pain relief and alleviate suffering in end of life care. To read the NZMA’s position statement on euthanasia go to: http://www.nzma.org.nz/news/policies/euthanasia.html

Many specialists will have received a letter recently from the 20 DHBs advising that the 1993 Section 88 Notice covering a range of specialist services was to be terminated in six months. The NZMA was not aware of the DHBs intentions, and we are interested in following up the issue. We are seeking feedback from members; if you received this letter, and you are concerned about its implications for your patients and/or your practice, please contact the CEO Cameron McIver cmciver@nzma.org.nz. Specific information about the effects of this policy change would be useful.

# 527

Friday 2 July 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

DITC elections – call for nominations
NZMA supports smokefree prisons
Voluntary Bonding Scheme update
NZMA ACTIVITIES including Chair’s attendance at BMA meeting
Review called for over-the-counter-drugs
Register now: NZMA GP CME conference Christchurch
NEWS

DITC elections – call for nominations
Are you interested in policies affecting doctors-in-training? Would you like to make a contribution to represent the interests of RMOs?

Nominees are being sought for four positions on the NZMA’s Doctors-in-Training Council. Nominees must be DIT members of the NZMA and nominations may be made by any financial DIT member of the NZMA. An election form will be sent to DIT members today. If you do not receive this please email susan@nzma.org.nz to receive a copy.

Auckland members: Mark your diaries!
The great NZMA/medical school debates
The NZMA Auckland Council invites you to an exciting event – the great NZMA/medical school debates.

When: Tuesday 27 July 2010
Where: Auckland Medical School, Robb Theatre.
Time: Drinks, canapés and socialising from 6.30pm. Debates commence 7.30pm.

Some of the topics to be debated include:

That final year medical students should have prescribing rights in New Zealand public hospitals.
That employment of junior medical staff locums in New Zealand public hospitals should be prohibited.
That the salaries of public hospital doctors, both senior and junior, be matched to those in Australia after cost of living adjustments in the two countries have been taken into account.
The event will be opened by Professor Iain Martin, Dean of the faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. Members of the debate teams will include Craig Riddell, Zach Kidman, Dr Stephen Child and Professor Harvey White.

Please RSVP by 20 July to Falyn Edlin: falyn@nzma.org.nz or phone 04 472-4741.

Medical students at NZMA GP CME
The NZMA subsidised the registration of 12 medical students to attend the NZMA GP CME conference. Medical students expressed their enthusiasm for the conference and said it had been a hugely valuable experience. Medical student Kylie Cox said that the conference had helped her realise the importance of becoming a GP in NZ and that the workshops were very useful for her level of learning.

NZMA supports RACP position statement
The NZMA expressed its support for the position statement of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), which encourages GPs to think carefully before giving patients medical certificates for time off work, for conditions which do not prohibit patients from working. NZMA Chair Dr Peter Foley said that a New Zealand Herald article published on Wednesday, titled ‘Doctors urged to refuse medical certificates for time off work’ was misleading. “Absence for genuine illness will be supported by GPs, both to support the patient and their work colleagues.”