Executive Direct - Issue 2010-3
Dear Member
This is the third issue for 2010 of our electronic publication, Executive Direct, to report to members on National Executive news. The intention is to forward it to members after each Executive meeting (at least). It reports on the last Executive meeting on 1 July. This publication will also be kept on the ASMS website www.asms.org.nz. The next Executive meeting is scheduled for 9 September.
1. National DHB MECA Negotiations
2. Session with Council of Trade Unions
3. Advertising in ASMS Publications and Website
4. NZ Public Health and Disability Act: Amendment Bill
5. Medical Council Statements
6. National Executive: Regional Representatives
1. NATIONAL DHB MECA NEGOTIATIONS
The main issue discussed was the ASMS’s direction in our MECA negotiations. To date, we have had three workshops (state of the specialist workforce in DHBs; Australian specialist medical labour market; and SMO workforce capacity to achieve comprehensive clinical leadership and engagement at all levels of the DHBs) with a fourth scheduled for 22 July on the specialist workforce capacity to deliver on the recommendations of the RMO Commission. Discussions have been constructive with a good degree of consensus over what the challenges and issues are.
There have also been two formal dates of negotiations with the next day scheduled for 2 August. Progress has been reasonable. While there are still outstanding issues there has been good progress. However, by agreement, we have yet to focus on the key financial issues until at least the workshops are completed.
On 1 July the National Executive debated at length our approach to the key financial issues of salaries, after-hours’ call and shift remuneration, superannuation, and CME expenses. Arising out of some good quality robust discussion it was agreed not to table a formal claim when negotiations resume on 2 August. It was decided, instead, to promote discussion on the theme of ‘If DHBs are to provide equality of access to high quality publicly provided health services and if the government’s health policy objectives (eg: enhanced clinical engagement and leadership to achieve greater clinical and fiscal viability, and the implementation of the government endorsed recommendations of the RMO Commission) are to be achieved, then what are the conditions of employment necessary to enable the retention and recruitment of senior doctors necessary to achieve those objectives?’
To date, our more informal approach has achieved much common ground and we want to explore whether more can be achieved.
2. SESSION WITH COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS
The ASMS is one of the four main health unions affiliated to Council of Trade Unions – the other three being the NZ Nurses Organisation, Public Service Association, and Service & Food Workers Union. This better enables us to strengthen the networks between each other and also add strength to our advocacy and support on various issues of shared concern.
CTU President Helen Kelly joined the National Executive for a stimulating discussion on a range of matters of interest including strategic directions towards strengthening the role and effectiveness of unions in general and in the health sector in particular.
3. ADVERTISING IN ASMS PUBLICATIONS AND WEBSITE
The acceptance of advertisements in the NZMA’s electronic NZ Medical Journal and on its website on specialist vacancies in Australia at a time when New Zealand is losing specialists and senior registrars to the ‘lucky country’ and when DHBs face a specialist workforce crisis prompted a healthy debate over the ASMS’s views, both on this issue and on what our own position should be in respect of our publications and our website. Consequently the Executive is looking at developing our own policy statement.
4. NZ PUBLIC HEALTH AND DISABILITY ACT: AMENDMENT BILL
The government’s proposed amendment to the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act which makes more explicit and strengthens the responsibilities of DHBs to collaborate regionally and nationally including over service provision. The ASMS has made a submission and in general is supportive of the direction of the bill. However, we have also advised caution over the enhanced powers given to the Minister of Health in the absence of adequate consultation processes
5. MEDICAL COUNCIL STATEMENTS
The National Executive considered a number of Medical Council draft statements and agreed to make a submission on its proposed new method of supervision for international medical graduates. It also considered draft statements on strengthening recertification requirements for doctors registered in a general scope of practice (a submission had already been made), on ‘what to do when you have a concern about a colleague’, and non-treating doctors.
6. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE: REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
In addition to the National President, Jeff Brown (MidCentral) and Vice President, David Jones (Capital & Coast), the Executive comprises eight regional representatives. They are:
|
Region 1 (Northland, Waitemata, Auckland, Counties Manukau) | |
|
Himadri Seth |
|
|
Judy Bent |
|
|
Region 2 (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Taranaki) | |
|
Paul Wilson |
|
|
John Bonning |
|
|
Region 3 (Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui, MidCentral, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Capital & Coast) | |
|
Tim Frendin |
|
|
Hein Stander |
|
|
Region 4 (South Island) | |
|
Brian Craig |
|
|
John MacDonald |
|
Members are welcome to raise issues and comments with their regional representatives above by clicking on the relevant hyperlink. This includes non-DHB employed members who work in the geographic area of these regions.
Ian Powell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
