The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) is the professional association and union uniting doctors and dentists in New Zealand.
The importance of senior doctors speaking up publicly when they have unresolved concerns about patient care, or the health and safety of staff, is repeatedly raised at ASMS forums. However relatively few doctors speak out publicly, despite provisions in the MECA allowing them to do so. We thought it was timely to issue some advice for members on the right to speak up and the protections laid out in the MECA.
The Covid-19 crisis has shone a light on a public health system that has endured year upon year of underfunding, under-resourcing and undervaluing, writes ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton in a comment piece for Newsroom.
There is a range of guidance and advice out there for frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ve compiled some of the information and resources which are available to help support ASMS members and ensure their own health and safety is looked after. As you know the situation is rapidly evolving and some of the information could change.
International data shows that individual risk of death from Covid-19 varies widely related to age and comorbidities. Hospital managers and clinical directors are now making decisions about work patterns for healthcare workers to mitigate risk for those with greater risk of fatality. At times there may be little choice regarding who needs to be working with patients due to limited staff availability. Where choices can be made, however, it is important that everyone is using the same dataset. To aid …
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is welcoming the release by the Ministry of Health of the numbers of health care workers who have tested positive for Covid-19. The Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield presented the numbers as part of his daily update, along with a useful breakdown of staffing groups. There are 64 health care workers who are confirmed or probable for Covid-19. The largest categories are 20 support or care workers, 17 nurses, 7 administrative related …
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is calling for the numbers of medical professionals who contract Covid-19 through clinical work to be formally collected and included in official updates. Many countries in Europe and Asia have been officially reporting the impact of Covid-19 on their health workforces. Figures out of Spain’s health ministry last week showed that out of the 40,000 Covid-19 cases, nearly 5,400 or 14% have been among health care staff. The death rate among doctors and nurses …
Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Hazards include pathogen exposure, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence. This document highlights the rights and responsibilities of health workers, including the specific measures needed to protect occupational safety and health.
These recommendations from the Ministry of Health are for all hospital personnel who enter a clinical area with COVID-19 patients.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, you may be asked to undertake other duties, work additional hours or a staggered roster. ASMS has put together advice to support you.
ASMS is still up and running during this Covid-19 crisis. While you’re on the frontline our staff are working from home, and will continue to offer support, assistance and advice.