ASMS

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is putting out an urgent plea for people to stop taking hospital supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). ASMS members at several DHBs have raised concerns that essential equipment needed to fight Covid-19 is going missing. ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says it’s not just the odd mask being taken. “We’ve had reports of wholesale uplifts of things like scrubs, masks and hand sanitiser.  Supplies of PPE are vital during this Covid-19 crisis and …

Read more »

Finding appropriate childcare is a major concern for ASMS members and frontline health care staff during the Covid-19 crisis. The government has announced approved childcare companies which can look after the children of essential workers in their homes under strict protocols. It’s contained in the Ministry of Education’s update for schools. You can find it here

Read more »

Practical advice for during and after a shift has been created for health care workers thanks to creative anaesthetist and ASMS member Dr Morgan Edwards.  

Read more »

Worried about protecting your own health, or your working conditions during the Covid-19 crisis, or maybe having to undertake different duties?  We asked MPS to answer some of your medico-legal questions and offer some advice so members are clear on their protection and rights. Read here   

Read more »

ASMS organised this special message from a theatre team in Auckland which has been widely shared on social media.  The message to the public to stay home during the Covid-19 pandemic is essential to save lives and protect healthworkers and hospital staff.  A big thank you to all our members who are doing their bit to help stop the spread of Covid-19.  

Read more »

Hospital staff around the country have been practising “donning and doffing” their protective gear as part of Covid-19 preparations. DHBs have also been running stocktakes of their PPE supplies. ASMS Vice President and Waitematā DHB anaesthetist Dr Julian Fuller has been testing an N95 mask for size and fit. Remember that access to proper and suitable  PPE is an important part of workplace health and safety and is covered in the MECA.  See here  

Read more »

Government moves to bring forward the flu vaccine rollout and prioritise healthcare and hospital staff are positive steps in protecting frontline health workers at a critical time, says the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. DHBs will now be asked to offer the vaccine to aged care workers, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff as a matter of priority. “We have been concerned about the impact Covid-19 will have on already overstretched staff and services, particularly if it coincides with the winter …

Read more »

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is welcoming the Government’s dedicated $500m health package to fight Covid-19 but warns there aren’t enough doctors to go around. The measures include strengthening intensive care capacity and setting up Coronavirus clinics throughout the country in preparation for a major outbreak. ASMS has repeatedly warned of serious staffing shortages in our hospitals with an estimated 24% shortfall of senior doctors nationwide. A number of regions, such as Northland and the West Coast, are also …

Read more »

ASMS has created advice for members regarding employment, CME and travel for SMOs and SDOs because of the disruption caused by Covid-19. Most DHBs have introduced travel restrictions. Our advice may change as circumstances change, so if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ASMS national office, or your regional ASMS Industrial Officer. Read the advice here.

Read more »

The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) are proud to launch the ASMS-NZMSA Year 4 Clinical Mentoring Programme for 2020. This is the second year of the Mentoring Programme, which aims to provide an avenue of support for Fourth Year students around New Zealand transitioning into the clinical environment. The programme pairs Fourth year Students in one on one mentoring partnerships with ASMS Consultants either in person or via skype, and has four …

Read more »