ePulse V12 number 10

Tuesday 23 February 2010

News

•   Specialist GP training vital
•   Call for College Conference Abstracts
•   A quality and safety programme for maternity services
•   Input sought from members on Emergency Department/Primary Care Interface 
•   Southern DHB Confirmed
•   Journal Watch

Consultation

Representation

Research

Vacancies and advertisements

CME

Conferences

 

News

Specialist GP training vital
The College has welcomed this week’s statement by Professor Des Gorman of Health Workforce New Zealand that GPs need to be a key focus in future medical workforce planning. Professor Gorman said: “If you ask me what group of the senior doctors I am most anxious about it’s actually the GPs. That’s where the utility sits and that’s where if we are to have a cost effective, sustainable and affordable health system we need to put our emphasis.” College President, Dr Harry Pert says: “Increased training places for general practitioners and initiatives like the bonding scheme have been positive step, but there is still a long way to go. Funding models need to be addressed, because doctors undertaking specialist training in general practice still fund a considerable proportion of their own training, unlike their colleagues in other medical specialties.” The full College media release can be read here: http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/media-releases-2010

Call for College Conference Abstracts
Our 2010 Conference, Doing the Right Thing, takes place 2-5 September 2010 at the Christchurch Convention Centre. Abstracts are now being accepted!  Full details are on the Conference website: www.rnzcgpconference.org.nz.

A quality and safety programme for maternity services
Sector workshops are being held by the Ministry of Health to discuss a safety and quality programme for maternity services. The dates for these are: Christchurch 19 March, Auckland 26 March, and Rotorua 29 March. Wellington is to be confirmed. It is intended that the workshops will cover: a draft model of how a quality and safety programme for maternity services might look; opportunity to critique the draft model of how a quality and safety programme might look; opportunity to provide suggestions/alternative models of how a quality and safety programme might look; the results of the informal survey into current mechanisms to improve quality and safety; and plenty of discussion and sharing of ideas. Those interested in attending should pencil these dates in their diaries. A registration form for the workshops will be available shortly.  You will need to be allocated a place at the workshop in order to attend.

Input sought from members on Emergency Department/Primary Care Interface
The Ministry of Health has prepared an early draft statement on the interface between primary care and emergency departments. Members interested in working with the College and the Ministry to develop and finalise this statement should contact policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Southern DHB approved
The Government has approved the Otago and Southland District Health Boards' plans to merge. The Southern DHB is expected be formed on 30 April, and the current members of both boards will work as a single board, under one chair, until the local elections at the end of this year.

Journal Watch
• Self-reported data on sexuality diverges from direct interview data
• In diabetes control, regular provider equals regular place of service
• One-third of adults presenting with headache report moderate depression symptoms
• No increased mortality from questionnaire-reported night sweats in elderly

Consultation

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

Prioritisation Meeting
The Ministry of Health is holding a meeting of DHB GP liaisons on the 19th of March in Wellington, and there is the opportunity for a few additional GPs interested in issues such as prioritising access to secondary care advice and diagnostic services such as colonoscopy and echocardiograms, to also attend. Register your interest at policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Day surgery definition
The Ministry of Health is consulting on a proposed definition of day surgery that can be used for regulatory purposes.  This will affect general practices and GPs that provide day surgical procedures outside of hospital settings. They want a definition that will include high risk procedures while avoiding inadvertent inclusion of low risk procedures. An expert working group, which had Dr Hans Raetz as our representative, came up with the following proposed definitions: 1.Day surgery is the same day admission and discharge of a consumer to a facility or service for a planned surgical and/or diagnostic procedure by a registered health practitioner. 2.Day surgery is the admission and discharge, within 24 hours, of a consumer to a facility or service for a planned surgical and/or diagnostic procedure by a registered health practitioner. Please let us know at cathy.webber@rnzcgp.org.nz which definition you prefer by Thursday 25 February 2010.

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.

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, mentioned in a recent edition of NZ Doctor, ‘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 which can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz. Jo’s paper is available here.

PHARMAC altering funding and access arrangements for special foods
The College will be making a submission on this consultation. It includes the proposal that vocationally registered general practitioners become eligible to authorise Special Food Special Authorities. Members comments on this and other recommendations can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz by Wed March 3rd, to inform the College response. The consultation document is available at:

•  Consultation on altering subsidies for Special Foods. Closes Friday 19 March 2010 

PHARMAC (Five 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 by emailing policy@rnzcgp.org.nz.

•   Proposal to fund bisacodyl suppositories (Dulcolax). Closes 5pm, Friday 26 February 2010

•   Proposal to reference price risperidone. Closes Friday 5 March 2010

•   Proposal relating to provisional agreement with Allergan Australia Pty Ltd for various products. Closes Friday 26 February 2010

•    Proposal to widen access to gemcitabine hydrochloride and vinorelbine. Closes 4pm, Friday 5 March 2010 

•    Proposal to fund lignocaine urethral syringes. Closes Wednesday 3 March 2010

ACC: Revised Clinical Guideline Recommendations for MRI use in diagnosing soft tissue knee injuries, closes 3 March
ACC have provided the following information for e-Pulse: ACC seeks your feedback on updated clinical guideline recommendations about the use of MRI for diagnosing internal derangements of the knee.  ACC is consulting with professional organisations/associations/colleges, and their members, who have an interest in the diagnosis and treatment of knee injuries. You are a valued provider of services to ACC and as such we would like to hear your views on the revised recommendations. We would like to hear from both groups and individuals. Please go to http://www.acc.co.nz/news/PRD_CTRB132893 to access the consultation document and feedback form.  On the same weblink you will also find the evidence-based report that informed the revised recommendations. Your feedback will be considered by the group of experts who developed the draft recommendations, and any necessary changes will be made before the recommendations are finalised. We will inform you of the final recommendations and seek formal endorsement from your professional group. ACC will do a final dissemination to the sector using several approaches, including a publication in ‘ACC Reviews’. If you have any queries related to this consultation please feel free to contact me by email at sarah.clark@acc.co.nz.

Consultation on the competencies and standards for education programmes for the revised enrolled nurse scope of practice
The Nursing Council will be introducing a revised scope of enrolled nurse practice for all second level nurses and has revised the competencies and the standards for education programmes. The consultation documents can be downloaded from http://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz. Responses are required by March 15. 

Representation

Ministry of Health
National Lung Cancer Working Group requests a General Practitioner with a strong interest in Lung Cancer. Closing date is undefined but there is a meeting in March.

If you are interested in this committee please contact Annie.Fleetwood@rnzcgp.org.nz for further information.

Research

Research Grants
The RNZCGP’s Research and Education Charitable Trust is inviting applications for research and travel grants. Please complete the application forms and either post them to the College or email it to pam.berry@rnzcgp.org.nz. The forms are available here: http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/Research-Applications-2.

More Grants
Applications for the next round of Wellington Medical Research Foundation grant applications close on Tuesday 16 March 2010. Referee’s reports are due by Tuesday 30 March 2010. Further details of the grant application process at www.wmrf.co.nz.

Vacancies and Advertisements

Fellowship Assessors
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) is seeking GPs to undertake Fellowship Assessments on a contract for service basis. Applicants will be vocationally registered general practitioners who are Fellows of the RNZCGP and working at least 2/10ths in general practice. Previous experience at undertaking assessments in the general practice environment, examining for Primex, or involvement in the GP education programme would be an advantage. The positions have a degree of flexibility, with the assessor arranging the visits at a time that is suitable for the candidate and themselves. This enables the contractor to structure the hours of work around other commitments. Workload is negotiable up to 0.2 FTE. All assessors must be willing and able to travel, including some overnight trips. Applications for the Fellowship Assessor - Contractor positions will close on 10 March 2010. Click here to download Person specifications and the position description. To make an application or to request further information contact the College’s Manager Assessment, Rhett Emery (phone 04 915 4933) or email rhett.emery@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Palmerston North GP
Friendly two doctor practice in Palmerston North looking to replace doctor going overseas. Hours negotiable 3-7/10. After hours with local after hours centre. Supportive practice staff who have been with the practice for many years. Currently completing Cornerstone Accreditation. Contact Murray or Katrina (06) 3574424.

Raglan GP (Locum)
Sun, Surf and Lifestyle – 6 month opportunity. GP Locum required for modern, friendly rural practice. Join this amazing practice for a 6 month maternity leave contract, starting in April 2010. You will be working 8/10ths with no on-call. Art, culture, surfing and lifestyle, is what we can offer you. What better way to work in paradise! For more information please e-mail wchc@wave.co.nz  Ph PM: Sarah 07 825 0114.

West Auckland GP
We are looking for a long term locum (female preferred) to join our team.  We are a purpose built, integrated Cornerstone Accredited practice. No afterhours, no weekends and excellent remuneration. Email: westview@westview.co.nz.

Russell GP
Permanent GP partner wanted for the beautiful Bay of Islands. We both work five sessions a week but our income is close to that of a full-time GP! We have a fully equipped surgery and purpose built premises that are funded by a local community trust. The practice is fully computerised (Medtech32) and Cornerstone accredited. For more information see http://www.propertyvideosnz.com/Doctor/Business.html. Phone 09 403 7604 or email ianbirch@paradise.net.nz.

Christchurch GP
Long term position for GP – 5/10ths.  Large, established, purpose built, suburban practice in multidisciplinary centre.  Friendly, supportive staff in a superb working environment. Email claireh@barringtonmc.co.nz.

King Country GP Locum – Part/Full time
Do you want to enjoy lifestyle, leisure activities, rural practice in the heart of King Country, close to Mt Ruapehu, part or full time for long term? Then it’s for you – two Doctor GP practice, located in the local hospital. Medtech, very friendly staff to work in an attractive environment.  Ph: 0064 7 895 3333; email: manager.tmc@xtra.co.nz.

Clinical Leader RHM
The Clinical Leader RHM will contribute to the College’s Strategic Focus of a high performing, sustainable workforce for general practice and rural hospital medicine through providing clinical leadership for the DRHM’s training programme. It is a 3/10 position but this can be negotiated. If you have any questions regarding this role please contact Lana Henderson, Rural Hospital Medicine Administrator. Complete cover letter and CV should be emailed to lana.henderson@rnzcgp.org.nz.

Christchurch GP
Ferrymead Medical Centre has a fresh opening for a new partner (female preferred). We are a three person practice in large, purpose-built facilities, situated within the Ferrymead retail district and in a rapidly growing area of Christchurch. A great opportunity is open for a motivated and dedicated replacement for our outgoing partner. A permanent long term locum would also be considered. Contact Dr Brendan Smith at brendan.smith@ferrymead.pegasus.net.nz.

Miramar GP
Locum required for July 2010 to cover leave in a friendly four doctor family practice, 8 or 9/10ths preferred. Locum also required for July school holidays (5th to 16th) to cover leave, 4/10ths or more considered. Contact Raewyn, practice manager, on 04 388 7018 for more information on either position, or send CV to manager@miramarmedical.co.nz.

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

CME

Pregnancy Care Training Funds Available for GPs
As part of the additional funding allocated for maternity services in the 2009 budget, the Ministry of Health is making funds available to GPs wishing to undertake additional training in pregnancy care beginning from March this year. The courses covered include the Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology (PGDipOMG) and certain tertiary level papers available via distance learning. For further details of the funding available and how to apply, please contact Cindy Farquhar - c.farquhar@auckland.ac.nz.

Palliative Care Education Opportunity through Hospice New Zealand – free of charge
Hospice New Zealand offer free access to monthly Palliative Care Lectures.  These take place on the first Thursday of every month from 7.30-8.30am.  The lectures cover a range of topics and are delivered via teleconference, usually with a power point presentation that the speaker takes participants through.  The last 10-15 minutes of each session is dedicated to questions, giving the opportunity to raise anything specific with the speaker.  Please click here to find out more, see this year’s schedule of lectures and to register.

Palliative care forum for medical practitioners
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) invite you to attend one of three forums being held in New Zealand in March 2010. The invited speaker, Professor Janet Hardy, (BSc, MBChB, MD, FRACP, FAChPM) is palliative medicine specialist from Brisbane, Australia, and will be discussing What's new in pain control in palliative care - the science behind the myths. This workshop has been endorsed by the RNZCGP, and has been approved for 9 hours CME for General Practice Educational Programme Stage 2 (formerly AVE) and Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) purposes. The forums will be held in 3 locations from 6.15-9pm (a light meal will be served):  Christchurch on 29 March 2010, convenor Dr Kate Grundy; Palmerston North on 30 March 2010, convenor Dr Joy Percy; Auckland on 31 March 2010, convenor Dr Cathy Miller. For more information or to register: ANZSPM website www.anzspm.org.au or email Karen Cooper: karen@anzspm.org.au.

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 is an 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.

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.

Conferences

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.

RGPN 2010
NZ’s premiere rural general practice conference looms. Rural general practitioners and other interested medical professionals are urged to register now for this not-to-be-missed event on the calendar. This year’s programme is one the best put together by the conference committee and features workshops and sessions as diverse as Wilderness Medicine and Acupuncture in pain control to Fracture management and Dealing with legal issues in twenty-ten. With an emphasis on the inventiveness and resilience of rural general practice, this year’s theme is, aptly, “Rural Health – No. 8 Wired”. Come and listen to sessions on:

•    fertility in rural versus urban
•    wilderness medicine
•    homecare nursing
•    rural practice management
•    emergency transport
•    asthma control and management
•    pain management
•    and much more

Conference 2010 has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and has been provisionally approved for up to 16 hours (= 16 credits) CME for General Practice Education Programme Stage 2 (formerly AVE) and Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) purposes .The conference runs from March 11-14 at the Christchurch Convention Centre. If you have any questions or queries please call Network communications manager Rob Olsen on 04 495 5887, 021 82 2468 or email rob@rgpn.org.nz. Visit www.rgpn.org.nz to register.

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
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 19 to 23 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.