Category: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Annual Conference going virtual

A difficult call has been made to hold the ASMS Annual Conference in November as a virtual only event. The outbreak of the Delta strain of Covid-19 means it is difficult to plan for large events due to potential alert level changes restricting travel and the size of gatherings.

The Conference will be a one-day meeting on 25 November. The Health Minister will give an address and there will be an AGM along with guest speakers.
Registration forms will be available soon. If you would like to be sent a registration link when registrations open, please email conference@asms.org.nz
Doctors and dentists art exhibition
The Doctor and Dentist Artist Exhibition which was planned to run alongside Annual Conference will be going ahead. The exhibition is being curated by the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington and more than 60 doctors and dentists have submitted artworks to go on display. If Covid alert levels allow, there will be a small exhibition opening event.
Conference Remits
If you have any remits you would like formally considered or voted on at the conference, please get them in by 24 October. The remits must be in writing and you can send them to conference@asms.org.nz
 
 
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Doctors Stand Up for Vaccination

ASMS supports an open letter written on behalf of doctors who want to present a united and evidence-based voice to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand in support of vaccination against Covid-19 for all eligible New Zealanders. For more information and details on how to sign up and take part, see below.

This is a grassroots initiative by a group of doctors. Doctors Stand Up for Vaccination includes public health physicians, GPs, ICU physicians, urgent care, respiratory and infectious disease physicians, paediatricians, emergency specialists, obstetricians, gynaecologists, surgeons and more.
They want to present a united and evidence-based voice to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand in support of vaccination against Covid-19 for all eligible New Zealanders.
They are urging all doctors to sign the letter and have also put together some FAQs which can answer some commonly asked questions patients have about vaccination.
To sign the letter, and to see all the details please go here.
You will need to provide your name, MCNZ number, qualification and specialty. That way each signature can be verified to ensure the legitimacy of the letter.
 
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Doctors Speak Up for Vaccination

ASMS supports an open letter written on behalf of doctors who want to present a united and evidence-based voice to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand in support of vaccination against Covid-19 for all eligible New Zealanders. If you want to sign up please go here.

The letter has been written by the group Doctors of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is made up of a wide range of doctors including public health physicians, GPs, ICU physicians, urgent care, respiratory and infectious disease physicians, paediatricians, emergency specialists, obstetricians, gynaecologists, surgeons and more.
To sign the letter, please click here
You will need to provide your name, MCNZ number, qualification and specialty. That way each signature can be verified to ensure the legitimacy of the letter.
There is an associated FAQ document that you can view on the survey link if you need to.
The letter has been reviewed by public health physicians. The FAQs have been reviewed by public health physicians and IMAC.
Both documents have gone through several layers of review and scrutiny.
This is a group effort from the entire medical community of Aotearoa New Zealand to support vaccination against COVID-19.
Please also share the letter with your colleagues and feel free to post on social media.
 
 
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Residency shambles for essential health staff demands urgent response

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora is calling on the Government to urgently address residency difficulties for doctors and other desperately needed health workers.
Immigration lawyer Kamil Lakshman told RNZ today that the Work to Residence visa process for doctors and nurses should be fast-tracked, particularly given the Covid pandemic.
There has been a long pause in processing expressions of interest from skilled migrants for residency visas, with no indication of when processing will resume.
ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says it’s creating a lot of frustration and angst.
“Overseas doctors caught up in this delay say the uncertainty makes it difficult. They feel they can’t buy a house, settle their families, or put down roots, and are being forced to reconsider their futures in New Zealand”.
New Zealand relies heavily on overseas trained specialists – about 43% of the medical workforce is overseas trained – the second highest level in the OECD.
“It takes a significant amount of time, and investment by DHBs to bring a specialist here from overseas. It is a terrific waste of tax-payer funds to see them pack up and leave as a direct consequence of the failings of our immigration service,” Sarah Dalton says.
“The current approach to managing their pathway to residency is shambolic and could become a worrying contributor to our shortage of medical specialists”.
ASMS raised concerns about the residency delays in June, writing to the Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi in June.
Sarah Dalton says unfortunately there has been “zero response”.
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Vaccine fast-tracking needed for medical families and whānau

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora is calling for families and whānau of medical staff to be fast-tracked for Covid vaccination.
ASMS members and their families have expressed concern for some time that family members of frontline clinical staff have not been prioritised for vaccination in the same way border worker families have.
ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says the outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant means families will be feeling even more vulnerable.
The Ministry of Health has reported that approximately 120 staff at North Shore Hospital were in areas at the same time as a Covid patient, and 30 of those are believed to have had direct contact.
Sarah Dalton says while it can be assumed the workers themselves are fully vaccinated, they will be well aware they still have the potential to spread the virus and will be reluctant to go home and risk exposing their families and whānau.
“Hospital staff, not just those at North Shore, are now trying to juggle their living arrangements with their work. That can mean trying to isolate within their own homes or moving out and paying for alternative accommodation. In at least one case we’ve heard a doctor has moved on to a boat to keep their family safe”.
“With this outbreak spreading quickly, there are potentially thousands of families who could be forced to spend weeks apart. It’s a very stressful and disruptive time, especially for those who have unvaccinated family members,” she says.
ASMS is also concerned that having to take exposed health workers out of the system will put enormous pressure on services and remaining staff.
“Staffing levels, particularly in acute areas like emergency departments and ICU are critical on a good day, so losing staff in an environment where there are already big gaps has a big impact,” says Sarah Dalton.
“While we appreciate this is a rapidly changing and challenging picture, it is crucial that DHBs support the safety and wellbeing of their staff”.
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Covid outbreak – we’re here to help!

Kia kaha koutou! A big thank you to all ASMS members for being part of the frontline response to the latest Covid-19 outbreak. We are conscious of the pressures the outbreak places on you and your whānau. We want you to work safely. Our staff are working from home and ready to support members with any concerns or questions they may have. Below   is some guidance and advice which you might find helpful.

 
We understand that many services are re-running Covid simulations and plans. If these bring up issues or concerns, let us know. We may be able to assist.
While we know that this Covid outbreak poses particular challenges and can create a sense of urgency, there is always time to seek advice, and to ensure you are supported in decisions that will affect you either individually or as a collective.
Now is a time when it is most important to protect your working conditions and to ensure you can work safely.
Remember that we are always here to help, and to advocate for you.
Employer advice
DHBs are developing a range of updated guidelines, which we will share once they become available.
In the meantime, here is some of the guidance and resources which were made available to frontline workers during the first lockdown in April last year.
Change of duties or extra hours
Any changes to your rosters, patterns of work, or remuneration must be BY AGREEMENT. ASMS has advice to support you in this:
Changes of duties or extra hours during the Covid-19 emergency
Ministry of Health guidance
MOH questions and answers for primary healthcare workers
MOH resources for health professionals
PPE advice
Advice from the Ministry of Health for staff caring for COVID-19 positive patients in hospital
Childcare
We are waiting for updated advice on this. Last lockdown there were (eventually) childcare arrangements made for essential workers but as far as we know, similar arrangements have not yet been announced.
Vulnerable and workers over 70
National guidance for DHBs to reduce risk of infection of vulnerable or at-risk staff.
Don’t bring it home
The Covid-19 “don’t bring it home” printable resource. PDF
Leave provisions
Advice on leave and absences in relation to Covid-19 has been put together by the National Bipartite Group which brings DHBs and health unions together. 
Medico-legal FAQs
MPS advice on protecting your health or working conditions
 
If you need support or assistance of any kind, or if you have any concerns, please contact us.
There are details on the website under the Contact Us tab.
 
 
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Yours sincerely, disgruntled

One of our members has written a letter to the Health Minister Andrew Little, outlining their personal frustrations over workload, health workforce shortages and the position taken by DHBs and the Government in the MECA negotiations. We have anonymised it but it is a clear example of how our hospital doctors are feeling.

 
 
Kia ora Mr Little
I am a Senior Medical Officer and anaesthetist at ….  DHB.
I am part of a dedicated team which provides care and life-saving support daily, 24/7.
This is frequently at the expense of personal and family lives. I know that I have missed many family events and Christmases over my 16 years as an SMO. Our ability to take leave when we want or need it, even if applied for months in advance, is hampered by the demands of the DHB to push through to meet targets.
It comes as little surprise that 50% of the SMO work force suffers from occupational burnout. I know that after spending the last three days in the operating theatre doing major cases I am exhausted yet must continue to work the next three days, including the weekend to do acute cases. There will be little reprieve next week as I am back in the operating theatre on Monday afternoon.
This however is not just limited to the medical work force. The theatre nurses are greatly demoralised and leaving in their droves. As a result of staff shortages, we are having to close entire theatre lists and send patients home. I have never encountered this in my 16 years as an SMO. Furthermore, we are having difficulty replacing them.
The health system relies on the goodwill of those who work in it to “pull it through” but this is now failing, and it is occurring on your watch.
SMOs are the foundation and backbone of the health workforce. We are a highly qualified and highly specialised group which provides the high level of care the public of New Zealand expect and yet this government has sought to punish us for our efforts.
We have first been kicked with a 6% tax rise, which I admit is not specific to us. But now the negotiating committee of the DHBs, which does your bidding, now refuses to address SMO welfare issues in any substantive way other than by paying lip service. Furthermore, we have been slapped in the face with an offer of a 0% pay rise – this is despite ASMS reducing its request from a 4% to a paltry 1.5% pay increase. All the while inflation is storming along at over 3%, in real terms and we are worse off than we were a year ago. Australia is looking very promising for many of us where the base pay is over 50% more than we earn here.
What makes it even more galling is the proposal from the DHBs to spend $15 million on setting up a committee to look at job-sizing and clinician wellbeing, when this is already a process through ASMS! Not to mention the tens, if not hundreds of millions that will be spent in futility rearranging the health system, that will make little difference to the vast majority of the population.
So, my question to you as Health Minister is, why are you breaking and punishing those in the work force for which the public of New Zealand so depend? And what will you do when your senior work force leaves?
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Advice for nurses’ strike

30-thousand nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants from the Nurses Organisation along with 1500 midwives from the MERAS union are planning strike action on Thursday 19 August, after they failed to reach agreements over pay and conditions with district health boards.  ASMS fully supports the industrial action but recognises it will have an impact on our members. We have put together some guidance on issues which might arise for you as a result of the strike.
Should all elective services be cancelled?
Yes. Even where staff may be available to provide a service, back up for services may be adversely affected by the strike. DHBs are rescheduling electives in advance so the wards are as empty as possible on the day. The day should be planned to be like a non-festive Christmas Day.
Should SMOs volunteer to work additional hours during the strike?
This is your call. You cannot be compelled to cover the work of a striking nurse. The life preserving services (LPS) agreements that your DHB will have with NZNO should ensure that patients are protected from permanent harm or threat to life.
What would be a fair rate of pay for any hours beyond your normal hours you agree to do?
Our recommendation is that additional work arising from the strike should be paid for as follows:

a minimum T2 of your normal hourly rate for any work requested by the employer which is work in addition to (either before or after) normal hours of work for that day
a minimum T2 of your normal hourly rate for any clinical work requested where the SMO would otherwise have been on non-clinical duties, and the non-clinical duties have not been re-scheduled. This rate is inclusive of normal pay, so is in effect T1 in addition to normal pay

Should SMOs do nurses’ work?
No. DHBs and NZNO will have agreements for the provision of life preserving services (LPS) to protect lives and avoid permanent harm.
However, sometimes the reality can be messy especially where both doctors and nurses might undertake similar work as part of their normal duties. These duties need to be within your scope of practice (this is the position of the Medical Council). You need to be familiar with and trained in the relevant procedures. Do not do anything you are not comfortable with.
Showing support
Many of you will want to show support for your nursing colleagues. You can do this in any number of ways, such as wearing a badge, talking with patients about the reasons they are taking industrial action, joining the picket line before or after your workday (or during a break). We know that health workers never take industrial action without compelling reasons. We support uplift of pay and conditions for all our health care workers.
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Indicators framework won’t solve health staffing crisis

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora says what would make a real difference to patient care in New Zealand is key indicators on safe and sufficient staffing levels.
The Health Minister Andrew Little has announced that national health targets are to be abolished and replaced by 12 indicators, based on the Government’s six priorities for health, to identify whether work is being met.
ASMS agrees that health targets have never been a reliable assessment of how well health services are performing.
Executive Director Sarah Dalton says introducing an indicators framework is all very well, but the health system relies on people to keep it going and deliver timely and accessible healthcare.
“The reality is that our hospitals and health services are so short-staffed that it is increasingly becoming a health and safety issue, reaching a point where providing patient care is often unsafe.”
Senior doctors have just ended a week of stopwork meetings with another week planned next week over their stalled employment contract negotiations.
“What we are being told is that our senior doctors and their healthcare colleagues are at the end of their tether and their work has become unsustainable. They say some services have disappeared or are no longer available due to a lack of specialist staff, they can’t take leave because there is no backup, and they’re burning out and leaving the public health system,” says Sarah Dalton.
ASMS is urging the Government to urgently address current and future healthcare staffing needs across our hospitals and clinical services.
“If it doesn’t, patients will continue to miss out and the health workforce will burnout. The health and sustainability of our health workforce is critical. Let’s have an indicator to measure that,” Sarah Dalton says.
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Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Senior doctors to hold stopwork meetings

Senior hospital doctors and dentists who are members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists will hold a series of stopwork meetings next month to discuss their stalled employment contract negotiations.
Stopworks will be held at every DHB starting on August 2.
ASMS has been in talks with DHBs since February to negotiate a new multi-employer collective agreement or MECA, but the DHBs have failed to put an acceptable offer on the table.
“We are asking for a very modest pay rise to simply reflect cost of living increases and inflation, but the DHBs continue to come back with a zero percent increase,” says ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton.
“We are very aware of the Government’s public sector pay restraint advice, but every worker has the right to at least keep up with inflation and not see their pay go backwards in real terms.”
Specialists are fatigued and suffering high levels of burnout as they juggle entrenched staffing shortages, overflowing hospitals and overstretched services which cannot keep up with patient demand. They have also absorbed additional pressures due to the Covid backlog.
A large part of ASMS’ claim seeks to improve working conditions and doctor wellbeing to try and address issues of burnout and safer staffing, but nearly all have been rejected by the DHBs.
Sarah Dalton says every New Zealander is aware of our full hospital wards, treatment delays and difficulty getting access to services.
“It’s time the Government started walking the talk on how much we value our health workers and treat them as an asset instead of a cost”.
“We need our highly trained and skilled specialists to stay and support our health system, rather than encouraging them to up sticks and move to Australia where they can earn up to 60% more”.
ASMS is interested in continuing negotiations with the DHBs and would urge them to come back to the table with a genuine offer worth considering.
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