NZNO is committed to the representation of members and the promotion of nursing and midwifery. NZNO provides professional leadership and advice in a range of areas.

The purpose of this guideline is to assist nurses to make reasonable decisions when the implementation of the above amendment to the Crimes Act may be needed to protect the health and safety of a child or vulnerable adult.  In practice, the changes do not significantly affect the existing duties or standards of care expected from healthcare professionals and workers.

Click to view/download document:

Guideline for nurses and other healthcare workers on section 195A amendment to the Crimes Act 1961 (PDF 95KB) 

Feedback Due: 14 June 2013 to cathyg@nzno.org.nz

PHARMAC is reviewing on the decision criteria it uses to make its pharmaceutical funding decisions. The criteria directly affect the pharmaceutical treatments that are available for public subsidy.

The decision criteria are currently:

• The health needs of all eligible people;
• The particular health needs of Māori and Pacific peoples;
• The availability and suitability of existing medicines, therapeutic medical devices and related products and related things;
• The clinical benefits and risks of pharmaceuticals;
• The cost-effectiveness of meeting health needs by funding pharmaceuticals rather than using other publicly funded health & disability support services;
• The budgetary impact (in terms of the pharmaceutical budget and the Government’s overall health budget) of any changes to the Schedule;
• The direct cost to health service users;and
• The Government’s priorities for health funding, as set out in any objectives notified by the Crown to PHARMAC, or in PHARMAC’s Funding Agreement, or elsewhere; and such other criteria as PHARMAC thinks fit.

PHARMAC  is also holding community forums throughout June and July.

http://www.pharmac.health.nz/about/operating-policies-and-procedures/decision-criteria-consultation 

Feedback Due: Marilyn Head, NZNO Policy Analyst marilynh@nzno.org.nz 04 494 6372 by 1 August 2013.

Request for Feedback on PHARMAC’s Initial Medical Devices Activity

In 2010 Cabinet decided that PHARMAC should take a more active role in the purchase and. Cabinet has approved a plan developed by PHARMAC and the Ministry of Health to establish a common system for procurement and management of medical devices used in DHB Hospitals, to be implemented by 2017.

PHARMAC is seeking views from a wide range of people and organisations on:

1. What approach to purchasing it should use;and

2. What medical device areas of it should focus on in the next 12 – 18 months.

It proposes the following:

• Anti-Embolism Stockings
• Disposable Sterile Instruments
• Hand Hygiene
• Interventional Cardiology
• Mechanical Compression Devices and Consumables
• Orthopaedic Implants – maximisation of suite of contracts
• Sterile Surgical Gloves
• Sterilisation Wrap, Tray Liners and Associated Consumables
• Sutures
• Thermometers
• Wound care

This is new territory for PHARMAC and they are very aware that nurses are the key users and managers of a large range of medical devices.Nursing feedback is essential to ensure good decision making, so please make the most of this opportunity. You only need to comment on the parts that are directly relevant to your work or professional interests.

PHARMAC'S document can be downloaded from here.

P1-3 General background and questions

P4-5 Market based approaches and questions

P6-10 medical device areas - background and questions

Feedback Due: to NZNO Policy analyst Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by June 7, 2013.

The Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on draft breast tumour standards which are being developed as part of the Faster Cancer Treatment programme

What are tumour standards?
The tumour standard documents describe the components of care that a patient with the specific tumour type should receive. Draft tumour standards have been developed for the following tumour types.

The breast tumour standards:

• are patient focused
• are not clinical guidelines or treatment protocols
• have some information that is similar across the tumour standard documents
• are in draft form and final versions will be developed after feedback has been considered.

The document is available at:

http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/breast-tumour-standard-for-consultation.doc

The Ministry is only accepting electronic feedback.  Both NZNO and our  Cancer Nurses Section will be making a submission.

Feedback due: To Policy Analyst: leannem@nzno.org.nz or by ringing (04) 494 6389 by 4^th of June 2013

FEEDBACK ON DRAFT TUMOUR STANDARDS

The Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on draft tumour standards which are being developed as part of the Faster Cancer Treatment programme

What are tumour standards?
The tumour standard documents describe the components of care that a patient with the specific tumour type should receive. Draft tumour standards have been developed for the following tumour types.

The tumour standards:

• are patient focused
• are not clinical guidelines or treatment protocols have some information that is similar across the tumour standard documents
• are in draft form and final versions will be developed after feedback has been considered.

The documents are available  here.

The Ministry is only accepting electronic feedback.  Both NZNO and our  Cancer Nurses Section will be making a submission.

Feedback to Policy Analyst, leannem@nzno.org.nz or by ringing (04) 494 6389 by May 15

PHARMAC Decision Relating to Hospital Medicines Funding
PHARMAC Approval Notice (PDF 507KB)

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on the arrangements relating to PHARMAC’s extended role in the management of hospital medicines. There are two parts to this proposal:

• Part A: Schedule rules for hospital pharmaceuticals
• Part B: Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) policy changes

Proposal overview

• Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule (the “hospital medicines list”) would include all of the medicines that must be funded in DHB hospitals.
• In general, the hospital medicines list would be binding, and DHBs would not be able to prescribe unlisted medicines, unless they are out of scope; an exemption applies; or approval has been granted through the Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) process.
• Some medicines currently used by DHB hospitals do not fall within the scope of the hospital medicines list, and DHBs would still be able to prescribe them, subject to any national contracts that may be in place (see page one of attachment one for more detail).
• Exemptions would also apply in the following circumstances (see page three of attachment one for more detail):
• DHB hospitals would be able to use medicines as part of a clinical trial, as long as funding is provided as part of that trial.
• Patients who have been stablised on treatment prior to 1 July 2013 would be able to continue treatment.
• DHB hospitals would be able to continue to supply an unfunded medicine for an inpatient, if that patient’s own supplies were unavailable.
• The exemption that applies to the use of pharmaceutical cancer treatments (PCTs) would continue for now. We are reviewing this exemption, but are not proposing to remove it from 1 July 2013.
• PHARMAC would be able to allow the use of a medicine in a DHB hospital, if doing so would help us assess whether that medicine should be included in the hospital medicines list.
• DHB hospitals would also be able to dispense any hospital medicine to a patient for use in the community. This allowance is currently limited to a small number of medicines.
• There would be some prescribing restrictions for some hospital medicines:
• Some hospital medicines would have indication-based restrictions, which would mean the medicine could only be prescribed for certain indications.
• Some hospital medicines would have prescriber-based restrictions. Other prescribers would still be able to prescribe the medicine if they have the recommendation of the specified prescriber, or if doing so is in accordance with a protocol approved by the DHB. DHBs would be able to determine how best to ensure these restrictions are adhered to, and would also have the ability to implement their own prescriber-based restrictions, if they considered that doing so is necessary to ensure good clinical practice (but not solely for cost reasons).
• DHB hospitals would also be able to seek approval for unlisted medicines for individual patients under the NPPA policy. We are proposing a number of changes to the NPPA policy, to enable the policy to manage both hospital and community exceptions (see attachment two for more detail).
• We are proposing to remove the Hospital Pharmaceuticals in the Community (HPC) NPPA pathway. The proposed Schedule rules would allow DHB hospitals to administer medicines from the hospital medicines list in either the community or the hospital, making the HPC pathway unnecessary (refer to page one of attachment two for more detail).

We are proposing to include an alternative assessment process

• for NPPA applications that are particularly urgent. This process allows the DHB to make decisions on funding, when it is not feasible for PHARMAC to consider the application in a clinically appropriate time frame (refer to page one of attachment two for more detail).

http://www.pharmac.health.nz/ckeditor_assets/attachments/275/consultation-hospital-pharmaceuticals-schedule-rules-and-policy-changes-2013-03.pdf

Feedback Due: 3 April 2013 to Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is seeking feedback on its review of the amendments as outlined above.

Consultation meetings are being held throughout New Zealand and times and dates are listed on the attached document. We encourage you to attend a meeting and/or provide feedback on the proposals.

Further information can be found on the MSD website via this link:

http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/whats-happening/2013/enduring-powers-of-attorney-review.html

EPA Consultation - Meetings Schedule (PDF 64KB)

Feedback Due: NZNO Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by June 21, 2013

Retirement Commission 3 yearly review of retirement income policy.

The terms of reference identify the following topics for the 2013 review:

1. An update of and commentary on the developments and emerging trends in the retirement income provision area since the 2010 review, both within New Zealand and internationally.
2. The intergenerational impacts of New Zealand’s retirement income policy, with due consideration given to: (a) the effects of increased longevity on present retirement savings schemes; (b) alternative retirement savings approaches, and (c) the sustainability of New Zealand Superannuation.
3. An assessment of the role of private savings for retirement. This assessment should cover: (a) trends in KiwiSaver, particularly withdrawal patterns of those retiring and the issues that these may raise, and (b) the role of the financial services sector in helping to ensure the adequacy of retirement income for New Zealanders.
4. The contributions made by other policies and programmes, such as in housing and health, to maintaining New Zealanders’ retirement income.
5. Women’s future retirement income prospects.
6. The role of financial education and financial literacy in retirement income policy.

Further information can be found here: http://www.cflri.org.nz/retirement-income/policy-reviews/2013-review-retirement-income-policy

NZNO will be drawing on our recent research into the experiences of late career nurses to inform our submission and we are also interested in hearing members experiences either personally or as part of their practice with regard to retirement income.

Feedback is due with the Retirement Commission by May 30^th so please get any feedback to NZNO nursing policy adviser/researcher Jill Clendon (03) 5463941 or jillc@nzno.org.nz by May 24^th for collation.

Indicative Cases for Change - Food Services; Linen and Laundry Services
NZNO is reviewing documents developed by HBL which describe and recommend options for reducing administrative, support and procurement costs in food services and linen and laundry services. NZNO has engaged with HBL through the National Bipartite Action Group (NBAG) under an agreed framework of communication between DHBs and Unions.  

The documents are confidential, and there is still work to be done to work to investigate how the proposed changes would work in practice (the operating model), assess impacts for each DHB and develop a business case.  NZNO would like feedback from members about what are the most important aspects of food and laundry services  for patient safety and nursing practice.

To date we have had feedback on the food service delivery relating to the following areas:

• Summarise the issues already identified e.g. timeliness, short changes to dietary requirements being able to met, transport interruptions etc.

If there are other areas of patient safety or nursing workflow matters that you have identified please forward them.

Feedback Due: NZNO Policy analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by May 30, 2013.

Review of Health and Disability Services Standards

The Ministry of Health certifies providers of health and disability services under provisions of the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 (the Act).

Section 24 of the Act requires regular review of the service standards to assess whether existing standards should continue unamended, be amended or be replaced. The current standards were last revised in 2008 and a review of these standards has begun.

We encourage all NZNO members to participate in this very simple survey as it identifies areas of importance to nursing: staffing, infection control, safe restraint etc. where standards may need to be amended or be replaced

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/hdss

We would also like to receive feedback to inform NZNO's submission.

Feedback to: NZNO Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by May 15, 2013.

Draft Health Information Standards for:

• Common templates for Clinical Document Architecture 
  The Ministry of Health is looking for feedback on draft IT health information standards developed by a group of representatives from the Health Sector. The purpose of these standards is to ensure the interoperability of (digital) health information systems i.e. that the right information is entered and available to appropriate health professionals across services.    
  
  The draft 10043 CDA Common Templates Standard provides supporting material for all health information (HISO) standards based on HL7 Clinical Document Architecture (CDA). This includes precepts for the use of CDA as a common currency for information exchange in the health and disability sector, as well as specifications of the most commonly used CDA templates.

A copy of can be found on the link below http://www.ithealthboard.health.nz/content/standards-open-public-comment

While the standards are technical, you may want to check/comment on whether they are appropriate from a nursing perspective.

Feedback to: NZNO Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by May 15, 2013.

Draft Health Information Standards for:

• Comprehensive Clinical Assessments for Older People
  
  The Ministry of Health is looking for feedback on these draft IT health information standards developed by a group of representatives from the Health Sector. The purpose of these standards is to ensure the interoperability of (digital) health information systems i.e. that the right information is entered and available to appropriate health professionals across services.    
  
  The 10047 Comprehensive Clinical Assessments for Older People draft standard specifies CDA templates for interRAI assessment reports.
  
  A copy of draft standards can be found on the link to our website http://www.ithealthboard.health.nz/content/standards-open-public-comment

http://www.ithealthboard.health.nz/sites/all/files/VPC%20Comprehensive%20Clinical%20Assessments%20for%20Older%20People.pdf

While the standards are technical, you may want to check/comment on whether they are appropriate from a nursing perspective.

Feedback to: NZNO Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by May 15, 2013.

PHARMAC, the government’s drug-buying agency, is proposing to amend the restrictions applying to a number of drugs in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

• In a consultation paper, it is seeking submissions on changes to the regime for twelve antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiretroviral drugs.
• The proposed changes will occur on 1 July.
• Submissions close on 18 April.

Contact: Greg Williams - 0800 660 050; greg.williams@pharmac.govt.nz

Feedback is due with PHARMAC by April 18. NZNO will not be making a submission on this but we encourage you to review the document and make a submission where you think the changes will affect your practice.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have developed new proposals aimed at making the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 (the Act) more flexible and less expensive for pool owners and councils to comply with.  While the Act has contributed to reducing the

incidence of young children drowning in home swimming pools  has provided cumbersome and costly for pool owners and councils to comply with.

The proposals are likely to maintain or improve child safety at the same time as reducing the compliance burden of the Act. The Ministry is keen to hear the community’s views about these important issues.

http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Consulting/pdf/2013/making-pool-safety-easier-consultation-document.pdf

NZNO will not be making a formal submission however we would like a copy of your final submission for our files.

Feedback Due: 10 May 2013 to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

The Wellington Council would like your views on Te Mahana: A Draft Strategy to End Homelessness in Wellington by 2020.

The Council is working with a range of government agencies and community organisations on the strategy, as part of a coordinated approach to ending homelessness.

Homelessness can include families and people from a variety of backgrounds and situations who need the right support to find a home and security. It is defined as living situations where people have no other options to get safe and secure housing. This includes people who are:

• without shelter
• in temporary accommodation
• sharing accommodation with a household
• living in uninhabitable housing.

Ending homelessness is more than just providing adequate housing, it also involves connecting those vulnerable to homelessness to easily accessed support services.

 http://wellington.govt.nz/have-your-say/public-input/public-inputs/consultations/open/te-mahana

Feedback Due: Provide feedback to the Wellington City Council by 3 May 2013

ACART are consulting on the import and export of human gametes (sperm and eggs) and embryos.

New Zealand requirements for the use of gametes and embryos are often very different from requirements elsewhere, and this can have an impact where people want to import or export gametes and embryos.

There are significant ethical and policy concerns to take into account when considering whether any New Zealand requirements should be more flexible in regard to import and export. ACART has issued a background paper that seeks views on the following matters:

• If New Zealand’s regulatory framework was amended to facilitate import and export of gametes and embryos, where might change or flexibility be justified?
• On the other hand, are there areas where there should be no flexibility in New Zealand requirements

http://www.acart.health.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagescm/7796

Please advise NZNO if you will be completing a response to this discussion paper.

Feedback Due: 31 May 2013 to Leanne Manson, Policy Advisor leannem@nzno.org.nz