ePulse V12 number 03

Tuesday 19th January 2010

News

•    Childhood Immunisation – have your say
•    Improving New Zealand’s poor child health
•    H1N1 Monovalent Vaccination Update
•    Calls for urgent tobacco display ban
•    Journal Watch

•    Parliamentary Inquiry into how to improve completion rates of childhood immunisation
•    GPs providing LMC care
•    MOH Draft Guidance Paper; primary mental health care in the new primary care environment.
•    Review of the Auckland School of Medicine
•    Aiming for Excellence: Fourth Edition
•    Access to high-cost, highly-specialised medicines in New Zealand
•    Defining the role of the GP
•    Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori
•    PHARMAC (Two consultations)
•    Two select committee inquiries that may interest

Vacancies and advertisements

CME

Conferences

News

Childhood Immunisation – have your say
A parliamentary select committee inquiry into childhood immunisation has commenced and the College has been asked to provide feedback. Please take time to complete the following survey to assist the development of the College’s submission on this crucial issue: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L3RWHRR

Improving New Zealand’s poor child health
The RNZCGP Quality Symposium in Wellington, February 12-13 is three weeks away. Register now at http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/quality-symposium, where the full programme is. A highlight will be Children are the future – The role of primary care in improving child health, chaired by Dr Jo Scott-Jones and Vicky Noble. Auckland University’s Innes Asher will lead ‘Children are the future and health outcomes for NZ children are among the worst in the OECD’. ‘Improving child health outcomes in New Zealand – learning from others’ will be led by Nick Goodwin (UK inquiry into the quality of general practice, Chair of the International Network for Integrated Care).

H1N1 Monovalent Vaccination Update
If you didn’t get their 14 January fax, the Ministry of Health has an important update on H1N1 Monovalent Flu vaccination here.

Calls for urgent tobacco displays ban
The government should approve the necessary legislation to ban tobacco displays urgently, the Cancer Society’s Tobacco Control Advisor, Navid Foroutan says. “Tobacco companies know the importance of the youth market…and that is why they keep marketing their deadly products to our young.” Tobacco displays are one of the tobacco companies last and most effective marketing tools, Foroutan says. New Zealand and international evidence shows that tobacco displays play a very important role in attracting teenagers to smoking. “More and more countries are moving towards banning tobacco displays….New Zealand should not delay.”

Journal Watch
•    Literacy level linked to pediatric medication errors
•    Most primary care practices too small for reliable quality comparisons
•    Single dose of H1N1 vaccine immunogenic in infants and children
•    Antidepressants most helpful in severe depression

Consultation

Thank you to those members who found time to provide comment on the issues in the previous edition of ePulse.

Parliamentary Inquiry into how to improve completion rates of childhood immunisation
The terms of reference of the inquiry include: to define, and make recommendations, as to what methods could be applied at minimal cost to improve immunisation in New Zealand. Instructions for those wishing to make an individual response are available here. The College will be making a response. Members’ comments and copies of individual submissions are sought and if emailed to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz prior to January 27 will be able to be considered in the preparation of the College submission.

GPs providing LMC care
The MOH are conducting a survey to identify the mechanisms DHBs have in place to improve the safety and quality of maternity services. The survey has gone to regional representatives of the midwives and obstetricians working as Lead Maternity carers (LMCs), and also to the DHBS. The MOH wish to include GP LMCs also. If you are providing LMC services (including intrapartum care) and would like to volunteer to participate in this survey please email frances.townsend@rnzcgp.org.nz to request a copy.

MOH Draft Guidance Paper: primary mental health care in the new primary care environment
The MOH have asked the RNZCGP for comment on this paper which outlines 13 key areas of focus to move towards optimal primary mental health care in New Zealand's new primary care environment. It recommends that the primary mental health sector adopt a stepped care approach to service delivery. The document is designed to: encourage and disseminate good practice in primary mental health care; provide guidance on more cost-effective models of care to assist DHBs to make best use of existing funding and inform future planning where funding does become available. Following feedback the document will revised by the MOH and sent to the Minister of Health to formalise its status as a guidance document. This is an important document and as it is not available on the web it has been emailed out to those on the College database who have indicated an interest in mental health. If you wish to have a copy emailed to you please send an email with primary mental health in the subject line to andrew.stenson@rnzcgp.org.nz. Members comments will contribute to the formation of a College response and can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz by January 29.

Review of the Auckland School of Medicine
The College has been invited by Auckland University to contribute feedback towards a routine review of the Auckland School of Medicine. The structure and curriculum of the MBChB programme are excluded from the Terms of Reference, except in any case where they cross other issues the Committee considers. However, the logistical and operational aspects of the School’s teaching contributions to the MBChB are within the Terms of Reference. Should you wish to suggest content for the RNZCGP response or require further details on the review, please contact policy@rnzcgp.org.nz prior to January 22.

Aiming for Excellence: Fourth Edition
In preparation for the fourth edition of Aiming for Excellence, Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners seeks your views on its third edition by the end of April 2010. Your advice will help us understand whether Aiming for Excellence still measures what it was intended to measure. Our full consultation document can be found here. Contact Maureen.Gillon@rnzcgp.org.nz with feedback.

Access to high-cost, highly-specialised medicines in New Zealand
The three person panel Review of Access to High-Cost, Highly-Specialised Medicines in New Zealand has released a preliminary report intended to promote discussion and elicit feedback. The report is available here. Members thoughts on this issue would be appreciated and can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Defining the role of the GP
Dr Jo Scott-Jones, College rep on the then Primary Healthcare Advisory council (PHCAC), has put considerable thought into the issues around the role of the GP in current and future primary care teamwork. The result is a paper ‘Defining the Role of the GP in a primary health care team: The GP genome and phenotype 2009-2020’. Jo and the College are keen to hear feedback by the end of January to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz. Jo’s paper is available here.

Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori
Public submissions are now being invited on the Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori. Submissions are required by 29 January 2010. Further information can be found here.

PHARMAC (Two consultations)
Members wishing to comment on the proposals below can click on the link for further information and respond directly to PHARMAC by the closing date indicated. If you consider that this proposal requires a formal RNZCGP response please let us know your reasoning by emailing policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

• Proposal for funding a multivitamin. Closes 5pm, 26 January

• Consultation to widen access to ursodeoxycholic acid for cholestasis of pregnancy. Closes 26 January 2010

Two select committee inquiries that may interest some members
Inquiry into the identification, rehabilitation, and care and protection of child offenders due 19 March
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/8/2/8/49SCSS_SCF_00DBSCH_INQ_9724_1-Inquiry-into-the-identification-rehabilitation.htm

Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (Storage) Amendment Bill due 19 Feb
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/6/9/3/49SCHE_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL9694_1-Human-Assisted-Reproductive-Technology.htm

Vacancies and advertisements

Newtown GP
Newtown Union Health Service, Wellington, seeks GP to cover sabbatical leave from 25 March – 1 June 2010, or up to 12 months. We are an innovative, interesting, multicultural, and multidisciplinary community-owned practice with great staff and positive learning environment. The position is salaried and will be fixed-term contract, for up to 32 hours per week. Flexible hours and conditions considered. Enquiries to lesley@nuhs.org.nz or ph 04 380-2015.

Auckland Clinical Studies Medical Doctor
This position would ideally suit someone trained in General Practice who wishes to work either part-time or full-time in clinical research at the Auckland Clinical Studies unit at the Grafton site. There is an enthusiastic team of three other research physicians (two of whom are trained in General Practice), an experienced manager, six full-time nurses, five study co-ordinators, three pharmacists and several administration staff. Click here for further information.

Blenheim & Rural Havelock GP
Long term locum/salaried position, with a view to shareholding, available in 5 doctor, modern, purpose built, teaching practices, nurse led clinics, minimal after hours, happy, enthusiastic doctors and staff. Email address: lis_grant@xtra.co.nz. Ph: 021-474041

West Auckland GP
Part time GP wanted (Female preferred) for practice in West Auckland (10 minutes from Central Auckland). Flexible hours, good remuneration. We are a friendly practice, well supported with experienced nurses. Please email strevallyan@wuhealth.co.nz for more details.

Te Anau GP
Talk about a job with a view! Fiordland Medical Practice are looking for a long-term locum and possible new partner to join the team from July. Enjoy varied work in a friendly team atmosphere with a lifetime of recreation on your doorstep. Contact David Hamilton or Stephen Hoskin on 03 249 7007 or email general@fiordmed.co.nz.

Manukau GP
GP wanted parttime or fulltime for A and M, Manukau area. Friendly practice, contact 09 263 7770 or email ali1numan@yahoo.com.au.

Rotorua GP assistant
Full time outgoing GP assistant wanted to replace departing GP for Westend Medical Rotorua. Friendly, caring three doctor, fully computerised, expanding practice in Rotorua, at a high profile site. Click here for more information.

Wellington GP
We invite applications for GP positions at Radius Medical, Silverstream, to start December 2009 or January 2010. Radius Medical, Silverstream, is open five days, 9am - 5pm, offering patients a wide range of general practice services, including family health care, accident and sports injury, and minor surgery. A dispensing pharmacy is nearby. We are RNZCGP 'Cornerstone' quality accredited with a strong patient base and excellent opportunities for practice building. Five GPs currently work at Silverstream, complemented by an experienced practice nurse team. Appointments, accounting, medical records and patient recalls are computerised (MedTech 32) with a terminal in each consulting room. For details of conditions and remuneration, please contact susan.jenkins@radiusmedical.co.nz or phone 06 834 2388.

Napier GP
Napier GP position now available, 7-10/10 in our Cornerstone, A&M accredited practice. We have XR, pharmacy and physio on site. Enjoy being part of our friendly, quality team, excellent pay, lifestyle plus. Start early 2010 preferred. Find out more now contact susan.jenkins@radiusmedical.co nz, or phone 06 834 2388.

Palmerston North Medical Officer
Arohanui Hospice is a specialist palliative care service based in Palmerston North and caring for people with a terminal illness in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Rangitikei and Tararua regions. We are seeking a Palliative Care Medical Officer to join our dedicated team. The Medical Officer will participate in all aspects of the service, working as part of the multi-disciplinary team with support from Palliative Care Specialists and Medical Officers. This position may include some flexibility in the hours of work and the ability to share on call work duties at night including availability for a weekend roster approximately one in six. If you are looking for a role (0.8 - 1 FTE), have a passion for palliative care and desire the opportunity for professional development in a palliative care environment where you are valued, encouraged and supported please call us. You are welcome to contact Dr Simon Allan, Director of Palliative Care (027 448 9454) or Clare Randall, Director of Clinical Services (027 210 1202) to discuss this opportunity further. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have at least 2-3 years of hospital-based experience or several years of General Practice experience. Further training in Palliative Care will be provided. For a copy of the job description and an employment application please view our website www.arohanuihospice.org.nz. Please register your interest by forwarding your CV to jimmyg@arohanuihospice.org.nz or Arohanui Hospice, PO Box 5349, Palmerston North. Applications close 22 January 2010.

Clinical Leader – GPEP1 and PG Rural
This is a varied and interesting senior position for the College. The primary accountability is to provide clinical leadership for the RNZCGP’s post graduate rural programme and stage one of the vocational general practice education programme. The Clinical Leader will contribute to the College’s strategic focus of a high performing, sustainable workforce for general practice and play an important part in the quality delivery of general practice education. Essential criteria are a proven ability to work at both a strategic and ‘hands on’ level and excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills – see the position description for further details. For any queries contact Jane.Dancer@rnzcgp.org.nz.The position will commence late January/early February. The hours will be negotiable at around 4 tenths.

Medical Educator – Waikato/Bay of Plenty
Applications are invited from FRNZCGP general practitioners who would like to make a contribution to the education of registrars on the RNZCGP stage one general practice education programme. The College wishes to contract a general practitioner interested in the role of Medical Educator for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region commencing February 2010. The medical educator plays an important role in the delivery of vocational education and in ensuring that registrars receive high quality, supportive and stimulating educational experiences in the seminar programme and in their practice attachments. Seminar Facilitators and a Regional Coordinator provide support with the running of the programme within the region. This is a flexible position of up to 4-5 tenths. For more information please see the position description or contact Samantha.Murton@rnzcgp.org.nz.

WONCA Editor
The current Editor of Wonca News, Dr Marc Rivo, will be retiring from his post with effect from the end of the Wonca World Council meeting in Cancun, Mexico, in May 2010. Wonca News is a bi-monthly newsletter that helps keep Wonca Member Organizations and Wonca Direct Members informed of the latest developments of this global organization and is distributed world-wide in electronic format. Please submit your application and resume to Dr Alfred Loh, CEO of Wonca, by email at admin@wonca.com.sg, no later than 15 January 2010.

Carterton GP
Teaching practice in Carterton, the Wairarapa, requires enthusiastic GP to join either as salaried position or partner. Four doctor practice, zoned rural, but minimal afterhours. Excellent modern, purpose built surgery, good staff and interesting work. Four days a week with one day free to enjoy the countryside. Contact Dr Anne Lincoln on linmac@ihug.co.nz.

Click here to go to the College website for more vacancies.

CME

OBSTGYN 712 & 715
Want to update your knowledge in contraception, pre and early pregnancy or medical gynaecology? Click here for more information.

Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice
The Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice is designed to meet the needs of GPs and the Postgraduate Diploma in Rural & Provincial Hospital Practice is designed to meet the needs of doctors working in rural hospitals. Click here for more information or visit www.otago.ac.nz/dsm/gp.

Advanced Wilderness Life Support Course
Host; Southland Wilderness Medicine Group (WildMed). Venue: Crown Plaza, Queenstown, New Zealand. Dates 12-14 March 2010 or 16-18 July 2010. Approved by the RNZCGP for up to 17 hours endorsed CME. More information; www.wildmed.co.nz or wildmed@xtra.co.nz.

Spine in Action: Low Back Pain - Can Chronicity be Prevented? Auckland March 27-30, 2010
The NZ Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine is holding a Scientific Conference examining the factors that contribute to, or predispose to the development of chronic low back pain and how these factors can be managed. The neurobiological & anatomical substrate, as well as the clinical basis to the identification and management of low back pain will be explored. Internationally renowned speakers include Prof Lars Arentdt-Nielsen, Prof Johan Vlaeyen, Prof Paul Watson, Prof Jacob Patijn as well as local and Australian speakers. Visit www.musculoskeletal.co.nz for program and speaker details and registration. Earlybird rates apply until end January. The NZ Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine RNZCGP endorsed CME provider.

Skin Cancer Courses
HealthCert and the University of Queensland, Australia, have released the dates for skin cancer certificate courses. Essential theory and practical aspects are covered in basic or advanced workshops. 2010 courses include Certificates in Primary Care Skin Cancer Medicine; Surgery; Advanced Dermoscopy and Dermal Imaging. The workshops are presented by highly qualified, experienced lecturers and include hands-on practical sessions. Local expert presenter, Dr Sharad Paul (NZ) will be conducting the Surgery course and an Advanced Surgery Workshop. Dr Paul covers highly relevant and concise information for GPs. 2010 courses start in Melbourne, 20-21 Feb with the Certificate in Primary Care Skin Cancer Medicine and Primary Care Skin Cancer Surgery. The Certificate courses are individual short courses or they can be part of the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer Medicine) programme. Now in its third year, this dynamic programme has seen over 180 students enrol and 75 students graduate. The programme offers doctors the chance to formalise and develop vital skills in Skin Cancer Medicine through an internationally recognised institution. For course information please visit www.skincancercourses.com.au or email christine@healthcert.com.au or call +61 7 3137 1399.

Mindfulness Training for Clinicians
14–18 February, Te Moata Retreat Centre, Coromandel Peninsula. The importance of mindfulness in reducing levels of stress and in supporting the well-being of clinicians and patients has been shown in a number of trials. Mindfulness is a profoundly simple and accessible way of using attention and supports the capacity of clinicians to cope with the everyday demands of practice and be compassionately engaged with the most difficult parts of themselves and their patients. James Carmody Ph.D is Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical School. He teaches and researches effects of mindfulness training on symptoms, immune function and well-being and is principal investigator on several NIH-funded clinical trials. He is a New Zealander and has practiced in mindfulness-based traditions for forty years and was an instructor in the UMass Center for Mindfulness Stress Reduction program. Tuition: $900. Contact Pat Wood pat.wood@xtra.co.nz.

Managing Sexual Problems for Medical Practitioners
An evidence-based up-to-date online training programme specifically designed for GPs and approved by RNZCGP for 12 hours CME credits: download in writing to produce a surgery reference; download in audio form to listen to as you travel to work and back. Access all three forms for the same cost plus make the most of email access to ask tutor, Clinical Psychologist Robyn Salisbury, director of Sex Therapy NZ about your patients’ sexual dysfunctions. Enquiries: admin@sextherapy.co.nz or ph 0800 739843 (0800 sextherapy) or register on www.sextherapy.co.nz.

Smoking Cessation in Practice – E-learning tool
An e-learning tool for registered health workers is available online at: www.smokingcessationabc.org.nz. The tool introduces ABC, the new approach for managing people who smoke (as outlined in the New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines), and contains practical information about giving brief advice and Nicotine Replacement Therapy. The tool takes between 20 and 40 minutes to complete.

Otago Study Options 2010
Otago 2010 study options. Semester one: primary health care, longterm conditions management, Maori health, tropical medicine and travel medicine. Semester two: longterm conditions management and wilderness medicine. Enquiries: Johanna.meaclem@otago.ac.nz. Then there’s Health Research Ethics BITX 406, introducing the basic ethical aspects of health research on humans. Enquiries: Vicki.lang@otago.ac.nz.

Conferences

Infant Toddler Preschool Mental Health Conference
The University of Auckland, 18-20 February 2010. International Experts in the Field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health will talk about: Relationship Disorders, Premature Birth, Early Behaviour Leading to Conduct Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Further information is available here.

Doing the Right Thing – The New Zealand General Practice Conference
This year's RNZCGP conference will be held at the Christchurch Convention Centre, 2-5 September 2010. Book the date in your diary now.

Network conference 2010
New Zealand’s premiere rural general practice conference – the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network conference - will be held in Christchurch next year at the city’s Convention Centre from March 11 – 14. It’s worth noting that the weekend of the conference coincides with the Ellerslie Flower Show in the garden city on March 10-14. People wanting to register interest to present abstracts or wanting more information about abstracts should email Helen Shrewsbury at Conference Innovators helen@conference.co.nz Anyone interested in sponsoring the conference or hosting an exhibition stand should contact the Network’s communications manager Rob Olsen either by phone 04 495 5887 or by email rob@rgpn.org.nz.Conference details such as workshops, presentations and general information will be posted on the Network’s and Conference Innovators’ websites during the next month.

Evolving Communities Beyond Services, Building Bridges National Conference for Community Mental Health and Addictions 2010
Conference summary: Transcending barriers, cultures and differences in our approach to community mental health and addictions services. 14 – 16 April 2010, Wellington Convention Centre, Wellington. For more information, go to www.buildingbridges.co.nz.

International

19th Wonca World Conference of Family Doctors, Cancun, May 2010 - Apply for a Bursary to attend
For the first time in the history of the World Organization of Family Doctors (Wonca), a Latin American country will be the venue for the World Conference of Family Doctors: the Mexican College of Family Medicine is designated organizer of the 19th Wonca World Conference of Family Doctors, to be held in the city of Cancun, Mexico, from 19th to 23rd May 2010. The Conference will spread the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs and will lead to the reflection on the technical and social role that Family Medicine must have to achieve the international goals that were proposed in the 2000 Millennium Summit: the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For more information visit http://www.wonca2010cancun.com.