Executive Direct - Issue 2010-1
11 March 2010
Dear Member
This is the first 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 18 February (which was preceded by an informal strategic direction meeting on 17 February). This publication will also be kept on the ASMS website www.asms.org.nz. The next Executive meeting is scheduled for 29 April.
The main features of the Executive meeting were preparation for the forthcoming national DHB MECA negotiations and a session with the Minister of Health.
Preparation for the National DHB SMO MECA Negotiations
Preparing for the forthcoming MECA negotiations was the main feature of both the preceding informal strategic planning day and the formal Executive meeting. This also following two informal constructive meetings with DHB representatives. The overall strategic direction arising out the resolution adopted by Annual Conference was discussed in the front page article in the December issue of The Specialist. A fuller report on the Executive’s deliberations on the application of this strategic direction will be provided to members in a forthcoming Bargaining Bulletin to be mailed to all members with the March issue of The Specialist.
In summary the National Executive resolved:
1. To formally initiate re-negotiations for the MECA,
2. To hold four joint national workshops with the DHBs between April and July on key issues which underpin the fiscal issues the ASMS will endeavour to address in the negotiations (the subjects are the current state of the SMO workforce in DHBs; the Australian medical labour market, the workforce capacity implications of comprehensive SMO leadership in DHBs; and the implications for SMO capacity of the recommendations of the Resident Medical Officers Commission in respect of service provision and training).
3. Finalising our claim (which includes reserving on the key fiscal issues of salary scales, enhanced remuneration for after-hours’ call and shift duties, superannuation, and continuing medical education expenses while the national workshops are still underway).
4. Determining that the authority to ratify the eventual settlement of the MECA negotiations rest with the National Executive after conducting an indicative membership postal ballot to guide its decision.
Session with Minister of Health
The Minister of Health, Hon Tony Ryall, along with senior adviser Peter McCardle, joined the National Executive for an hour, after making some initial brief comments the rest of the session comprised a valuable interactive session with the Minister. Chatham House rules applied but it was very productive. Subjects included the financial position of DHBs, clinical leadership in DHBs, primary-secondary relationship (particularly the business case stage arising out of the ‘expression of interest’ proposals including the extent of clinician engagement, and his annual Letter of Understanding to the 21 DHBs (discussed more fully in the forthcoming March issue of The Specialist), and regional collaboration between DHBs.
Establishment of Quality and Safety Improvement Commission
The Minister of Health has formed a new Quality and Safety Commission replacing the current Quality Improvement Committee. It will be a separate stand-alone crown entity but resourced by the Ministry of Health. Its establishment is generally welcomed building on previous constructive initiatives in promoting the ‘quality agenda’ at the core of decision-making and focus. The Minister has also asked for nominations of clinicians to be appointed to the new Commission. In response the National Executive has nominated Drs Alan Merry (University of Auckland and Auckland DHB) and Mary Seddon (Counties Manukau) for the Commission chair. Further, Drs George Downward (Canterbury), David Galler (Counties Manukau), David Grayson (Hawke’s Bay) and Peter Roberts (Capital & Coast) have also been nominated as Commission members.
Pilot of Physician Assistants in Surgery at Counties Manukau DHB
The pilot (sometimes described as the “pilot for pilots”) of physician assistants in the department of general surgery at Counties Manukau DHB was discussed by the National Executive. This is an initiative by the government’s new workforce advisory body Health Workforce New Zealand (reporting to the new National Health Board which itself is part of the Ministry of Health) headed by Professor Des Gorman. While the National Executive has reservations about the expectations and design of the pilot, it was agreed not to support an intention of the Resident Doctors’ Association to seek an injunction to prevent the pilot from proceeding. This was largely because (a) the general surgeons, despite some obstacles and lack of responsiveness to their concerns, are endeavouring to make it work and (b) it is a pilot (the ASMS has previously been critical of attempts to introduce major changes without piloting) despite this being confused at times by Professor Gorman describing it as a demonstration.
National Consultation Committee Meeting
Under the national DHB SMO MECA a National Consultation Committee compromising the ASMS and 21 DHBs has been created and has been meeting since late 2008. Although useful and constructive it is barely tapping its considerable potential. Consequently the National Executive agreed to recommend changes to the NCC’s terms of reference with the aspiration of sharpening its practical focus.
The National Executive also agreed to raise at the next NCC meeting (27 April):
· the variable performance in respect of enhancing clinical leadership in DHBs;
· the approach of DHBs to agreeing to formal variations to the MECA agreed between the ASMS and an individual DHB (the example being the opposition of the Canterbury, West Coast, Otago and Southland DHBs to an agreement between the ASMS and Nelson Marlborough DHB over the local availability allowance);
· DHB provision of information to new appointees on entitlements to medical indemnity cover and ASMS membership; and
· the appropriateness of the use of external business and other consultants by DHBs.
Changes to Medical Council Policy on Interns
The National Executive has considered proposed changes by the Medical Council to its policy on interns. There were concerns over some of the proposed changes and it was agreed to seek clarification from the Council on some confused wording in the draft policy.
Invitation to Attend Roundtable on Provision of 24/7 Acute Care in Provincial Hospitals
The ASMS has been invited to attend (and accepted) a Ministry of Health convened roundtable on the provision of 24/7 acute care in provincial hospitals on 26 March. While a number of professional bodies, including colleges, are participating the National Executive was struck by the omission of the College of Emergency Medicine and has recommended to the Ministry that it also be invited to participate.
ASMS Annual Conference
The National Executive decided to invite the Minister of Health (Hon Tony Ryall) to address the ASMS Annual Conference to be held in Wellington on 18-19 November. It was also agreed to invite Hon Tariana Turia (as co-leader of Maori Party; also Associate Minister of Health) on the subject of ‘A Maori Perspective on Health’.
Resignation of Administration Officer
After being with us for a year unfortunately ASMS Administration Officer Jo Jourdain has resigned in order to shift to Christchurch where she will be getting married. She has proven to be a highly valued work colleague and will be greatly missed. The National Executive expressed its appreciation for her excellent performance and commitment during her employment with the Association and wished her the best for the future. She finishes with us at the end of March and will be replaced by Terry Creighton.
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) | |
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Himadri Seth (Waitemata) |
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Judy Bent (Auckland) |
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Region 2 (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Taranaki) | |
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Paul Wilson (Bay of Plenty) |
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John Bonning (Waikato) |
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Region 3 (Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui, MidCentral, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Capital & Coast) | |
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Torben Iversen (Tairawhiti) |
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Tim Frendin (Hawke’s Bay) |
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Region 4 (South Island) | |
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Brian Craig (Canterbury) |
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John MacDonald (Canterbury) |
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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.
With kind regards
Ian Powell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
