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# 539
Friday 24 September 2010
IN THIS ISSUE
- Primary Health Care multi employer agreement negotiations
- Doctors-in-Training Council (DITC) meeting
- DITC Trainee Forum
- NZMA Auckland Council event for specialists
- Specialist Council meeting
NEWS
Primary Health Care multi employer agreement negotiations
The first set of meetings to re-negotiate the PHC MECA began yesterday, and continues today. This year, the NZMA is representing over 550 practices in these negotiations. The negotiation team consists of Dr Tricia Briscoe GP Rotorua, Dr Andrew Zimmerman GP Wanganui, Richard Dagger Employment Consultant ECCC and NZMA Operations Manager Anna Phipps. Employer parties will receive an email next week outlining the first two days of negotiations. If agreement is not reached by the end of today, negotiations will continue next month. If you have any questions please contact Debbie Papera at
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or phone 0800 656 161.
Doctors-in-Training Council (DITC) meeting
The DITC met on Friday 17 September. Key issues discussed included the physician assistant trial in Auckland and the potential impact on RMO training, the government’s proposed Advanced Training Scheme, the DITC trainee forum and draft position statements on the Industrial Relations Environment and growing pressure on access to training positions by Australian graduates. More detailed information about the meeting will be in upcoming e-newsletter Tinnitus. Chair of the AMA Council of Doctors in Training Dr Michael Bonning attended the meeting, providing a comprehensive overview of AMA advocacy. Also attending for the first time was new DITC member Dr James Blackett and Oliver Hansby, President Designate of the NZMSA, representing current President Liz Carr, who is overseas.
DITC Annual Trainee Forum
The DITC Trainee Forum was held last Saturday and the NZMA hosted trainee representatives of colleges and specialist societies. The two guest speakers were Dr John Adams, Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand, and Professor Des Gorman, Chair of Health Workforce New Zealand. Both speakers had round table discussions with the trainees. Dr Adams discussed the issues of student registration, pre-vocational education, the length of provisional registration, the balance between training and service, and the need for changes to PGY 1 and 2. Professor Gorman outlined the problems facing the Government in terms of increasing health need and the health workforce, the importance of generalism (how it will impact on the specialties, the possibility of creating a hospitalist scope of practice) and physician assistants. There was very good representation of trainees from the colleges. Trainees said that they valued the opportunity to speak directly to Dr Adams and Professor Gorman.
NZMA Auckland Council event for specialists
The NZMA Auckland Council is holding a meeting of Auckland specialists.
When: Monday 11 October 2010
Where: Ascot Hospital, BBs café, 90 Greenlane Road, Remuera.
Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6.30pm.
Speakers include Dr Ian McPherson, CEO Southern Cross Healthcare who will discuss affiliated provider issues between Southern Cross and specialists and Mr Tony Wilkinson, Tax Lawyer Buddle Finlay with a special interest in the Hooper Penny case, the recent Appeal Court verdict and implications for specialists. This event is open to members and non-members.
Please RSVP by Friday 1 October to Falyn Edlin:
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or phone 04 472-4741.
Specialist Council meeting
The NZMA Specialist Council is meeting on Wednesday 29 September. Agenda items include access to training posts, the New Zealand Health and Disability Amendment Bill, rationalisation of health services (EOI process), and training in the private sector. If any NZMA member specialists have issues they would liked raised in General Business at this meeting please email Alison
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NZMA winner
Congratulations to Rini Chegudi of Auckland, the winner of the NZMA Trainee Intern prize - $1,000 cash loaded onto a Westpac DebitPlus Card.
NZMA ACTIVITIES
- The NZMA Board held its regular teleconference on Monday evening and topics discussed included: Finalising the programme for the NZMA’s Role of the Doctor Seminar 1-2 November, the successful NZMA Trainee Forum (see under NEWS), an update from the Treasurer on some financial matters and planning for the next NZMA Board meeting taking place Tuesday 5 October.
- NZMA Chair Dr Foley attended the Hawkes Bay Divisional Committee meeting where planning for two “breaking the silo” collegial events were planned.
- Dr Foley participated in a teleconference on Thursday morning with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
- Dr Foley took part in a presentation to Te Tumu Whakarae (DHB Maori General Managers Group) on the Quality and Safety environment on Thursday afternoon.
- Representing the NZMA, NZMA Deputy Chair Dr Paul Ockelford attended the funeral of Dr John Pollock this week.
- NZMA Chair Dr Peter Foley has been busy reviewing the many documents in preparation for next month’s World Medical Association meeting.
- NZMA CEO Mr McIver attended a regular meeting of professional CEOs on Monday.
EVENTS
19th Hospice NZ Palliative Care conference - Navigating the Journey
WELLINGTON
9-11 November 2010
“Navigating the Journey” will showcase the ways in which members of the wider healthcare community work in partnership with patients and their families. International and local leaders in the field of palliative care will share their knowledge with us over the three day conference, focusing on innovative clinical developments, best practice, education and research. The call for abstracts is currently open – submissions are welcome from anyone interested in presenting at conference. For more information: http://www.hospice.org.nz/conference-2010.
International Oncology/Haematology conference
WELLINGTON
13-19 February 2011
Mark your diaries! The Mayo Clinic is coming to New Zealand to do an International oncology/haematology conference. The first two days of the conference will be haematology and incorporates the NZ branch meeting of the HSANZ. Palliative care will feature in the middle of the week, with oncology Wednesday through Friday and smoking control on the Saturday. Day registration will be available so people can come to the days that most suit or interest them. More information will be available at a future date, including details about registration.
MEMBER BENEFIT
NZMA Wine Club
The NZMA wine club offers a wide range of both New Zealand and imported wines at very competitive prices delivered direct to your door. Check it out at www.primovino.co.nz/nzma/. We are keen to feature wines that NZMA members are in some way involved in. If you have any wines you would like to offer through the NZMA Wine Club, please contact Anna Phipps at
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or phone 0800 656 161.
MEMBER ADVISORY
Trial periods - legislation changes
Changes to the Employment Relations Act have been made to allow employers to employ new employees on a trial period for up to 90 days. If the employee is dismissed within this time period they cannot take a claim of unjustified dismissal against the employer. This trial period is only available to employers in certain circumstances. This legislation took effect from 1 March 2009. For a copy of the NZMA Advisory Service flyer on the topic, contact Debbie Papera at
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or phone 0800 656161.
Vital Signs is a weekly email bulletin with news and information about the NZMA. It aims to keep members in touch with the NZMA's work, and complement the NZMA newsletter Medspeak and website. If you do not wish to receive Vital Signs, please reply with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
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Ministry of Media