Chair's update
Reminder of our expectations around self-care and caring for those close to you
Most weeks, Council receives notifications about doctors providing care to themselves, a whānau member, or someone they have a close relationship with. This is something doctors must not do, unless there are exceptional circumstances (which are set out in our Statement on providing care to yourself and those close to you).
Some examples of care include prescribing medications, requesting tests, filling out medical certificates, and/or performing procedures.
Our Statement explains how having a personal relationship with the person in need of care compromises clinical objectivity and the standard of care provided. Reasons for not providing care to those close to you include:
- doctors making assumptions about the person’s background and not asking certain questions or taking a full history
- doctors failing to document the care provided
- embarrassment or reluctance to discuss personal and sensitive issues
- overtreating or undertreating the person seeking care.
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Such cases are not just theoretical; and some doctors and those close to them have come to harm as a result of treating themselves or their family. Council will consider all notifications of breaches and determine whether action needs to be taken to protect the public. So, please, if a friend or family seeks care from you, ask them to see their own doctor and keep yourself – and them – safe. For more information, please read our Statement: Providing care to yourself and those close to you.
Farewell to our Medical Adviser
We are sad to announce the retirement of one of Council's Medical Advisers, Dr Kevin Morris. Kevin has worked for Council for almost a decade, and has brought an absolute wealth of skill and knowledge to his work. His many successes include being the chief editor of Cole’s Medical Practice in New Zealand. Kevin’s experience and unyielding dedication to public safety and good medical practice is outstanding. Many of you have appreciated Kevin's sage advice around a range of matters over the years – he has been a wise voice down the telephone to doctors, medical leaders and members of the public alike. Similarly, Kevin has been an invaluable member of staff and I bid him the fondest of farewells and thank him on behalf of staff and Council members for all he has contributed. Kia rawe rawa atu tō haerenga whakatā e te rangatira koi!
Ngā mihi
Dr Curtis Walker
Chair
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Chief Executive's update
Travelling forward together: He waka eke noa
We are thrilled to be hosting the Australian and New Zealand Prevocational Education Forum (ANZPMEF) on 18-19 October 2021. The forum will be delivered through an advanced and easy to use virtual platform.
ANZPMEF provides an excellent opportunity to support and further develop high quality prevocational medical education, and for New Zealand and Australian colleagues to share the latest innovations, research and initiatives. The audience typically includes those with a strong interest in medical education, including directors of clinical training, educational and clinical supervisors, as well as interns, medical students, and registrars.
Registration
Registration is now open - we encourage you to join us.
Call for abstracts now open
Please consider submitting an abstract – the closing date is 30 June 2021. Visit the ANZPMEF registration page for details.
Conference theme
Our theme Travelling forward together: He waka eke noa acknowledges that all involved in medical education and training are in this waka together. There will be a number of topical issues under three key themes:
- Health equity and cultural safety.
- Professionalism and wellbeing.
- Transitions and innovations.
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Keynote speakers
We are thrilled that Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health, will open the conference and our MC will be Dr Andrew Connolly, CMO Ministry of Health.
We have three excellent keynote speakers:
• Dr Jason Frank from Ottawa, Canada. Dr Frank is a clinician-educator who has published and presented widely in medical education. His research interests include competency-based education, faculty development, program evaluation and curriculum development.
• Dr Rhys Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu). Dr Jones is a public health physician and expert in Maori health teaching and education at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori (TKHM), University of Auckland. Dr Jones’s research interests include ethnic inequities in health, and how health professional education can improve health outcomes for indigenous populations and contribute to health equity.
• Professor Trudie Roberts from the UK. Professor Roberts is responsible for scholarship in Medical Education at the University of Leeds. She is the immediate Past President of the Association of Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) and will speak at the Forum on professionalism and integrity.
There will also be a mixture of live-streamed sessions, Q&A, and panel sessions. Sessions will be recorded and available for attendees to view On-Demand for 90 days after the end of the Forum.
We look forward to a stimulating and informative forum!
Joan Simeon
Chief Executive
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Seeking your feedback!
We are seeking your feedback on our statement about conducting medical assessments for third parties. We are emphasising the importance of a patient-centred approach and clear communication so there is a better understanding of the purpose of the assessment and the doctor’s role. We have also included clear guidance about bringing a support person to the assessment, and retaining documentation from the assessment.
Your feedback is very important to us. We look forward to hearing from you. The consultation will be open until 7 June 2021.
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Celebrating Privacy Week
The Council recently celebrated Privacy Week with a raft of educative and fun activities for our staff to mark this year’s theme “Make privacy a priority.”
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Council hosted a poster design competition, daily quizzes and ‘fact of the day,’ and ‘Privacy Oscars’ to recognise individuals who champion the privacy principles in their everyday work. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner marks Privacy Week each year to promote privacy awareness, inform people of their rights under the Privacy Act 2020, and educate businesses, organisations and agencies of their responsibilities with personal information.
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End of Life Choice Act webinar
The Ministry of Health is holding its first in a series of End of Life Choice Act 2019 implementation webinars for health professionals on 2 June 2021, between 7pm and 8pm.
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Dr Kristin Good, Chief Clinical Advisor at the Ministry of Health and GP, will be joined by two doctors to discuss their international experiences of assisted dying services. Register for the webinar.
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Vacancies
We are currently recruiting for a Medical Adviser to replace Dr Kevin Morris, who is retiring after almost a decade in our team. If you’re a vocationally registered doctor, with a passion for protecting public safety and promoting good medical practice, check out the position description.
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