ASMS

Figures showing an increase in District Health Board employed doctors are positive, but the health service is under immense pressure, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) Acting Executive Director Angela Belich says. Ms Belich was commenting on figures released by Health Minister David Clark showing an increase in doctors, nurses, and midwives: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nurses-star-govt-rebuilds-health-workforces “Our members are reporting unprecedented pressure in hospitals around the country. We are seeing a surge in patients presenting with acute illness, and growing demand for …

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Almost all of Wakari Hospital’s mental health facilities are not fit for purpose, pose safety risks to patients and staff, and hinder appropriate treatment of patients, a critical report of the facility says. The Southern District Health Board accepts that many of Wakari’s buildings are not fit for purpose and has been exploring options to upgrade and replace them. However, a confidential report supplied to the Otago Daily Times stresses the pressing need for action, with several buildings approaching the …

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Dr Julia Patterson of campaign group EveryDoctor tells why she quit health service ‘cut back to its very bones’ Julia Patterson recalls clearly the moment she decided she had to quit two things she treasured – practising medicine and working in the NHS – in order to safeguard her own mental health. “I loved my job,” she said. “I love psychiatry, but I could no longer go to work every day without tackling what was happening.” She broke …

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Most public hospitals were under intense pressure on Monday, caring for patients without routine access to x-rays and scans. Hundreds of radiographers belonging to the Apex union walked off wards early in the morning in a day-long strike that will be repeated on Wednesday. RNZ health correspondent Karen Brown has the details: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018715559/hospitals-under-pressure-as-radiographers-strike 

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A call for the total elimination of dog-transmitted human rabies by 2030 has come from the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Medical Association (WMA). The two organizations have joined forces to mark World Rabies Day tomorrow (September 28) in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control. An estimated 60,000 people die from rabies each year, mainly affecting poorer people and children between the ages of five and 15. A majority of these deaths, about 97 percent, are …

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Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department has had a big increase in people leaving without being treated. In a recent six-week period, almost 500 people opted to leave rather than wait to see a clinician, a report to yesterday’s Southern District Health Board commissioners meeting said. Specialist services executive director Patrick Ng had analysed emergency department data from the past three years, and focused particularly on July 1 to mid-August – usually a time when winter ailments lead to patient numbers rising …

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Former Labour MP Sue Moroney has called on the Serious Fraud Office to reopen its investigation into the spending of Dr Nigel Murray in light of an Auditor-General’s inquiry into the purchase of an online doctor app. The ex-Waikato District Health Board chief executive, together with former board chairman Bob Simcock, has been criticised over the flawed procurement of HealthTap in 2015, in an report released today by the Auditor-General. It comes as Simcock told the Herald he was comfortable …

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District Health Boards must act urgently to resolve an industrial dispute affecting four separate groups of health professionals in order to prevent planned strikes, says Angela Belich, Acting Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. Ms Belich was commenting on the strikes planned by radiographers, sonographers, lab workers and psychologists: (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399538/radiographers-sonographers-psychologists-to-walk-off-the-job) Ms Belich says senior doctors in affected DHBs are calling for an urgent resolution of the industrial dispute. “Many senior doctors affected by these strikes are …

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The young people taking part in climate action events around New Zealand tomorrow are raising awareness of a serious environmental threat, says Angela Belich, Acting Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). “Climate change is a serious threat to human health and well-being. Our young people are taking a lead in highlighting this issue because they fear for their future if climate change is not dealt with. “Many ASMS members are involved in sustainability and climate action …

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Appalling outcomes normalised Appalling Pasifika health outcomes are being normalised by a medical system that refuses to change, says researcher Debbie Ryan. Dr Ryan was one of three researchers from consultancy Pacific Perspectives commissioned by the Health and Disability System Review Panel to outline the health equity issues faced by Pasifika families and communities. She has little faith her work will make a difference. “The results we get are the ones the system is set up to deliver, and when …

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