ASMS

We had a lively and engaging Annual Conference this year. 175 people filled the room at Te Papa while others attended virtually. The conference theme ‘Building the workforce pipeline, stopping the drain’ ran throughout the two days. We welcomed an interesting range of speakers who gave presentations on topics such as the workforce pipeline, our equity kaupapa, CME in the post-Covid era and heard from doctors who have followed their creative passion to become writers. The new Minister of Health …

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The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says the Briefing to the incoming Health Minister is on point and shows just how urgently investment in health is needed. The briefing by health officials paints a picture of a health system which is under immense stress, is suffering from chronic underfunding, has inequitable health outcomes and a vulnerable medical workforce. ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says the assessment will come as no surprise to senior doctors and dentists who work at the …

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Using CME while there are still Covid travel restrictions in place has thrown up a number of issues which are likely to continue well into next year. We have drawn up a preliminary discussion document for members and DHBs as a rough guide to help with CME planning and access. We are keen to get feedback and input from members so please read it and email asms@asms.org.nz with your suggestions using CME in the subject line.

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The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists supports the Government’s commitment to a carbon neutral public service by 2025. The health sector is responsible for between 4-8% of New Zealand’s carbon emissions. Last week senior doctors and dentists at the ASMS Annual Conference passed a resolution to strongly advocate for all DHBs to join Toitū Envirocare – an organisation which measures and reports on environmental impact and gives certification. ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says so far six of the DHBs …

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We had a lively and engaging Annual Conference this year. 175 people filled the room at Te Papa while others attended virtually. The conference theme ‘Building the workforce pipeline, stopping the drain’ ran throughout the two days. We welcomed an interesting range of speakers who gave presentations on topics such as the workforce pipeline, our equity kaupapa, CME in the post-Covid era and heard from doctors who have followed their creative passion to become writers. The new Minister of Health …

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The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is pleased to see an initial agreement reached between district health boards and the Public Service Association on pay equity for clerical and administration staff. ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says advancing pay equity is as fundamental as the role clerical and administration staff play in supporting the operation of our DHBs. She says the agreement, which will lift pay rates for thousands of workers, is a big win. “Senior doctors and dentists know …

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The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says under pressure senior doctors and dentists will be pleased to hear a commitment from the new Health Minister to look at staffing shortages and prioritise medical workforce planning. Andrew Little spoke to about 170 senior doctors at the ASMS Annual Conference in Wellington which had the theme Building the Workforce Pipeline, Stopping the Drain. He said the idea there is no plan for workforce renewal and development seems criminal to him. ASMS …

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A report out today from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists warns urgent, co-ordinated action is needed to tackle staffing shortages and future proof the specialist workforce, or New Zealanders will increasingly miss out on the specialist care they need. The report – Building the Workforce Pipeline, Stopping the Drain – is being launched at the ASMS Annual Conference in Wellington.

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The new Health Minister Andrew Little has been confirmed to speak at our Annual Conference on Friday 27 November. We’re looking forward to hearing his address. The full conference programme is now final, check it out here.

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The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says the costs and waiting times to see a GP are helping push emergency departments to breaking point. Lakes DHB is the latest to issue a warning – Lakes DHB issues warning over swamped emergency departments – saying both Rotorua and Taupō Hospitals have extremely limited capacity to admit more patients. It is a situation repeated around the country. Waikato Hospital issued a similar warning in August. Hawkes Bay Hospital has been using …

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