ASMS Direct - Issue 2010-12
30 August 2010
Dear Member
We welcome any feedback on the contents of the 12th issue for 2010 of ASMS Direct. This copy of ASMS Direct focuses on:
1. ASMS Website revamped
2. jobs.asms.org.nz promoted in BMJ Careers
3. Operating theatres’ productivity
4. Health Minister declines request for self-funded drugs in public hospital
5. DHBs’ quarterly reports released by Health Minister
6. Paul Henry outed: pot, kettle and black!
1. ASMS WEBSITE REVAMPED
The ASMS homepage www.asms.org.nz has recently been revamped with the intention of adding appeal as well placing greater importance to presenting latest news articles and publications in a readily accessible format. In addition to a commitment to regularly updating the News and Reports column (at least weekly), improvements include the introduction of:
• A slide banner to promote relevant matter and news updates.
• Imagery to accompany and add interest to news articles.
• A new Perspective column; an opinion panel consisting of pieces by individuals.
• Links to in depth reports.
Members are encouraged to access our homepage regularly, perhaps weekly, as a quick means of keeping up-to-date and for downloading relevant and interesting material.
2. JOBS.ASMS.ORG.NZ PROMOTED IN BMJ CAREERS
The ASMS has endeavoured to do its bit to help fill senior doctor and dentist vacancies in New Zealand, especially DHBs, through our job vacancy page on our website. jobs.asms.org.nz is a one-stop-shop for those seeking positions in New Zealand. As it is a service rather than a business venture, our rates are very affordable; proceeds are put into growing the market and enhancing our services to both jobseekers and their prospective employers. This month we have committed to another year-long advertising campaign with BMJ Careers, the United Kingdom’s principal publication for medical recruitment and careers advice. We will be advertising in both their print edition (delivered to 110,000 doctors) and their online careers site (www.bmjcareers.com). The latter alone will see ASMS job advertising reach 100,000 unique online users every month.
As well as directing readers to jobs.asms.org.nz, which in turn links to the websites of the New Zealand employers with current listings, our BMJ Careers advertisements will be promoting New Zealand as a great place to live and work.
So that DHBs and other employers can take full advantage of this advertising campaign we are offering one month’s free advertising with any three-month listing on Jobs.asms.org.nz. There is no additional charge for the exposure you’ll receive through the BMJ Careers promotional campaign. The greater the take-up of this opportunity the greater the advertising frequency we can achieve with BMJ Careers and the longer we will keep the campaign running.
Further to this one month free offer, we have a range of advertising options; for DHBs with a large number of vacancies there is an annual fee cap which gives unlimited on-line advertising for a whole year for just $3,000 – that’s a huge discount on our standard rates of $100 per month per listing. For DHBs with a smaller number of SMO vacancies we will tailor a cost effective package to meet their advertising requirements.
Rates include logos and hyperlinks to the employer’s website and significant discounts (33%-45%) are available for bulk or extended advertising periods.
The ASMS encourages members to recommend to their DHB or employer that they seriously consider using jobs.asms.org.nz when advertising for a vacant position.
3. OPERATING THEATRES’ PRODUCTIVITY
On 24 August the Minister of Health, Tony Ryall, launched a new productivity programme led by surgeons, anaesthetists, and theatre nurses to improve quality and efficiency in public hospital operating theatres involving the Waitemata, Auckland, Tairawhiti, Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Hutt Valley and Southern DHBs who are working with experts from Britain's National Health Service. The full media statement is available on the ASMS website www.asms.org.nz.
According to Mr Ryall, the results from the NHS programme suggest productivity improvements can be made in a number of key areas:
• improving start time and turnaround, session uptake and utilisation, and staff wellbeing
• reducing time wasted searching for equipment
• improving rates of pain control in recovery
• more smoothly running surgical lists with fewer glitches and improved safety culture with the introduction of briefing and debriefing, along with the WHO checklist.
He said that in Britain "Theatre staff report fewer cancelled operations, up to 25% reduction in start time delays, up to 60% faster turnaround between each operation, and significantly improved job satisfaction.”
My Ryall spoke positively of the application of the NHS programme The Productive Ward -Releasing Time to Care which focuses on improving the way wards and staff work in DHBs. "This programme has given nurses up to 50% more time to spend with their patients and other gains include reduced patient falls by up to 100% and a reduction in medication errors of up to 85%."
4. HEALTH MINISTER DECLINES REQUEST FOR SELF-FUNDED DRUGS IN PUBLIC HOSPITAL
On 27 August, Health Minister Tony Ryall, in what appeared to be a surprising decision, announced that he was declining a request to allow self-funded chemotherapy drugs to be administered in Dunedin Hospital. He attributed his decision to the recent announcement by Dunedin's Mercy Hospital that it will provide a comprehensive chemotherapy service in Dunedin. In his media statement Mr Ryall said (slightly edited):
News that a new private chemotherapy service is planned for Dunedin removes the primary impetus for Southern DHB's proposal to pilot 'Bridging the Gap'. The DHB's pilot proposed to allow patients in Otago and Southland to access self-funded cancer treatment in the public health system instead of having to travel to Christchurch or beyond.
Currently patients can get publicly funded cancer drugs administered in Dunedin but must travel north to get unfunded cancer drugs. However, the recent announcement by Dunedin's Mercy Hospital that it will provide a comprehensive chemotherapy service in Dunedin aims to address this gap in private provision. The new service will mean more convenient access to self-funded cancer treatments for patients living in the Southern DHB area.
As a result of Mercy Hospital's new service plans, with advice from the Ministry of Health, I am declining the request from Southern DHB to pilot the 'Bridging the Gap' proposal. This decision will require clinicians to ensure that for those patients receiving self-funded drugs privately there is strong communication between public and private over the patient's treatment programme.
5. DHBS’ QUARTERLY REPORTS RELEASED BY HEALTH MINISTER
On 26 August the Minister of Health released the government’s quarterly reports on various health targets. These targets cover emergency departments, elective surgery, cancer treatment waiting times, immunisation, smoking cessation, and diabetes and cardiovascular results. The Minister’s media statement and the accompanying table can be accessed from our homepage www.asms.org.nz.
6. PAUL HENRY OUTED: POT, KETTLE AND BLACK!
Broadcaster Paul Henry’s unfortunate and derogatory comments about overseas trained doctors followed by TVNZ’s apology have attracted a deal of media interest. What has not been appreciated until brought to my attention by a vigilant member is that Mr Henry is, in fact, an overseas trained broadcaster. Although born in New Zealand (we have to claim some responsibility I guess) he moved with parents to England at the age of 11 years, trained as a broadcaster there, and did not come back to New Zealand until he was a chronological adult. Given his comments about overseas trained doctors, words like pot, kettle and black come to mind.
Ian Powell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
