We promote, protect and support the interests of our members in all aspects of their working lives. We are working for an equitable, accessible public health care system that meets the needs of all New Zealanders.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says the Covid pandemic is taking a massive toll on public health teams in Auckland which have been working tirelessly for months without a break. A call has gone out to other public health specialists around the country to give some short-term support, so those involved in the northern Covid response can take leave.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says politically set health targets are no magic bullet for addressing the growing number of New Zealanders who are missing out on hospital treatment. As part of its just-released health policy, the National Party says it would reintroduce public reporting of updated national health targets to monitor DHB performance, including cancer treatment times, elective surgeries and emergency department wait times.
The adoption of telehealth in New Zealand has been on the rise in recent years. Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated a significant shift in the provision of health care services with telehealth services a key tool in preventing the spread of the virus and protecting healthcare workers from the illness. ASMS has written a Research Brief that discusses the development of telehealth and issues related to its uptake.
ASMS supports all working people having safer sick leave. The Government has already adjusted sick leave provisions due to Covid-19 but the Council of Trade Unions wants more wide-ranging and long-lasting change. You can show your support.
Senior hospital doctors and dentists are voicing their support for the thousands of general practice nurses who are striking today, saying all healthcare workers deserve investment. The nurses are fighting for equal pay with their district health board colleagues. “These nurses are at the coalface of our communities and the Covid pandemic has served to highlight the essential service they provide,” says the Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sarah Dalton. “It’s patently unfair that such pay …
The crisis which has been playing out at the Canterbury DHB is in many ways a cautionary tale and if we do not take lessons from it, it will be the first of several large dominoes to fall. DHBs should not have to push austerity to reduce debt. Read our opinion piece as published in the Sunday Star Times.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says it’s time for the Government to front up to the people of Canterbury about the governance crisis at the District Health Board. The DHB is facing an unprecedented crisis after the resignation of 7 of the 11-strong executive management team, including the Chief Executive David Meates.
Senior doctors and dentists have the right under the MECA to speak publicly on issues they believe are important. This can include if they feel patient care is being compromised or to voice concerns about the way healthcare is being managed and delivered.
Senior medical staff have written an open letter to the people of Canterbury over the leadership crisis at their DHB and the actions of the Board. The letter was written following a meeting of about 100 ASMS members and members of the Canterbury Hospitals’ Medical Staff Association. At that time five members of the executive leadership team had resigned, but the number has now risen to seven.
The 32nd ASMS Annual Conference will be held on 26-27 November at Te Papa in Wellington. This year’s theme is ‘Building the workforce pipeline, stopping the drain.’ We already have confirmed speakers from the Simpson Review, and on the critical developing equity kaupapa discussion.