This Bill is an omnibus one that proposes reform of New Zealand's workplace health and safety system. The Bill seeks to replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950.

This Bill reforms New Zealand’s workplace health and safety system, following the work of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety and the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy. Its main purpose is to provide for a balanced framework to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces. The Bill is part of a package of major changes to the health and safety system that has already resulted in the establishment of WorkSafe New Zealand. The new regime is based on the Australian Model Work Health and Safety Act, with modifications to take account of differences in the New Zealand context. The new regime recognises that a well-functioning health and safety system relies on participation, leadership, and accountability by government, business, and workers. This includes:

• a law that is flexible enough to work appropriately for small and large businesses and high-risk and low-risk sectors, without imposing unnecessary compliance costs:
• obligations placed on the people in a work environment who create the risk and are best able to manage the risk:
• a worker participation model that provides for better levels of participation and helps workers to have the knowledge and accountability to keep their colleagues safe:
• an appropriate system of regulations and guidance to ensure that people understand their obligations and can comply with them:
• an effective enforcement regime with graduated categories of offences and penalties to provide better guidance to the courts about appropriate fine levels:
• a Workplace Health and Safety Strategy that is approved by the Minister of Labour following development through an open consultative process:
• ensuring that participants in the health and safety regulatory system are able to share information where appropriate.

This bill will have widespread ramifications in the workplace and we are interested in your feedback. 

A copy of the legislation is available here: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2014/0192/latest/versions.aspx

Feedback Due: Please send your feedback to Senior Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head, marilynh@nzno.org.nz or 04 494 6372 by April 4th 2014.

Late in 2013 the Nursing Council approved the below draft documents for consultation.

The background to the draft documents relates to a request from Council to review the process for ongoing monitoring of nursing education programmes leading to registration in the registered nurse scope of practice (the programmes), and the ability of the monitoring process to provide objective data about the quality of programmes.

The Council requires schools of nursing offering a bachelor’s degree in nursing programme to submit an Annual Report to the Council by May 1 each year (Council Handbook). While schools of nursing submit annual reports as required the information submitted has not been presented in a consistent format and this had made collating information across schools and analysing patterns and trends difficult.

Following the publication of “The Future Nursing Workforce: Supply Projections 2010-2035” the Council committed to improving data related to students in nursing programmes to assist work force planning. As identified in the publication there will be an increased demand for registered nurses over time in order to meet the health care needs of New Zealand (NCNZ August 2013). In order to plan and prepare for possible workforce changes the Council requires reliable and consistent data across a range of areas including pre-registration nurse education.

The draft annual report template has been designed to collect relevant information regarding the number of students undertaking the programmes, success and retention rates, the make up of the student groups including age and ethnicity and planned increases or decreases in student numbers.

The draft monitoring tool evidence guide has been developed based on the Education Programme Standards for the Registered Nurse Scope of Practice and clearly identifies the types of evidence required to comprehensively assess each standard. The guide also links to the information provided by the schools of nursing in the annual report template.

Both draft documents are available here:

• Draft Annual Report Template
• Draft Monitoring Tool evidence guide

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Jill Clendon, jillc@nzno.org.nz, 03 5463941 by April 5^th 2014

PHARMAC - Proposal to list a range of Surgical Sutures and Wound Care products supplied by Universal Specialties Ltd Limited

http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/consultation-2014-03-11-sutures-wound-care/

Feedback Due: Please send comments ASAP to Marilyn Head, Senior Policy Analyst  by 20 March 2014.

The agenda for the 51st meeting of the Medicines Classification Committee is now available on the Medsafe website:  http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/agen51.htm.

There are a number of medications relevant to nurses that are being considered for reclassification. This may have an impact on patient accessibility to these items and we are interested in seeking your feedback on the impact these reclassifications may have on consumers.

Feedback Due: Please send your feedback to Marilyn Head, Policy Analyst: marilynh@nzno.org.nz 04 494 6372 by Wednesday March 26^th.

http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/psychoactive-substances-regulations-consultation-document

This paper consults on proposals for regulations relating to licensing, product approval processes, labelling and packaging details, place of sale and advertising, and fees and levies. The regulations will support the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 (the Act) which came into force last year and do away with interim measures. NZNO made a submission in support of the Psychoactive Substances Bill.

2014-03 MoH Psychoactive substances Regulation_NZNO

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by March 18, 2014.

Following a first round of consultation, PHARMAC has developed proposals for change to the current decision criteria for its funding decisions. PHARMAC 's role has expanded to include new areas such as hospital medicines vaccines and medical devices and the proposed decision criteria will apply to these areas too. The document can be accessed here

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

The key change from the previous list of criteria is having:

• a high level summary of what PHARMAC thinks about  when making decisions,
• an outline of 'factors for consideration' and how they are applied
• a decision making matrix, which is placed within a
• broad operational framework.

Other changes include broadening the scope in relation ot populations with health disparities, removing criterion 9 (i.e. "other criteria PHARMAC thinks fit) and rewording the "factors for consideration". A supporting information document will also be developed. 

Your feedback on this very important document which determines how a significant proportion of health resources will be allocated, is important.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz 04 494 6372 by April 10 2014.

The Health Select Committee is welcoming submissions for the Smokefree Environments (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Amendment bill.  The key objectives of the new legislation are to:

1. reduce the appeal of tobacco products and smoking, particularly for young people,
2. further reduce any wider social acceptance and approval of smoking and tobacco products
3. increase the noticeability and effectiveness of mandated health warning messages and images; and
4. reduce the likelihood that consumers might acquire false perceptions about the harms caused by tobacco projects.

The Smokefree Coalition, (of which NZNO is a member) has produced a plain pack submission and media toolkit (see link below) to assist those members who wish to submit an individual response, with ensuring clear and consistent messages are maintained. 

http://www.sfc.org.nz/pubsresources.php

Feedback Due: For those members who wish to provide comments for NZNO submission please send to Leanne Manson, Policy Analyst Māori leannem@nzno.org.nz, or 4946389 or via MSC 0800 283848, by 14 March 2014.

Is it possible to reverse the trend towards increasing health disparities between rich and poor, employed and unemployed, Pakeha and Maori, Pacific and Asian, urban and rural, young and old, people with and without disabilities?  How can we ensure that th/ose who have the potential to benefit most from good primary health care receive it?

Professor Don Matheson, Massey University, along with other eminent health researchers and practitioners, believes that   "New Zealand people have the potential to be the healthiest in the world and have the highest quality of health care in the world. This goal is achievable now, irrespective of the export price for milk, the level of GDP, the DHB deficits, or awaiting the latest high tech cure."

This paper "outlines a primary health care policy that will lower access barriers and build high quality sustainable health services."  

NZNO seeking feedback from nurses about the recommendations made - this is election year - have your say now!

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by February 28, 2013

Three separate consultations for specifications for gloves

DR4011.1 - Single-use medical examination gloves Part 1: Specification for gloves made from rubber latex or rubber solution (ISO 11193-1:2008, MOD) (Revision of AS/NZS 4011:1997 (in part))

To cover rubber and poly(vinyl chloride) gloves respectively, this Part 1 of AS/NZS 4011 specifies rubber gloves only.

DR4011.2 - Single-use medical examination gloves Part 2: Specification for gloves made from poly(vinyl chloride) (ISO 11193-2:2006, MOD) (Revision of AS/NZS 4011:1997 (in part))

To cover rubber and poly(vinyl chloride) gloves respectively, this Part 2 of AS/NZS 4011 specifies poly(vinyl chloride) gloves only

DR4179 - Single-use sterile rubber surgical gloves? Specification (ISO 10282:2014, MOD) (Revision of AS/NZS 4179:1997)

To adopt the ISO Standard with Australian/New Zealand technical variations to ISO 10282

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head by March 14, 2014 marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372

PHARMAC, has published a long list of low-volume drugs which could be added to the Pharmaceutical Schedule (the list of drugs it funds) if suppliers came forward. In a request for information, PHARMAC says it is interested in any information from suppliers and other interested parties, including proposed pricing.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by February 25, 2014

Following consultation last year, ACART is seeking feedback on its proposed advice that:

• the import and export of human gametes and embryos should be allowed if consistent with the provisions of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act;
• the Ethics committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology should explicitly consider and decide applications to undertake research involving imported gametes and embryos;  
• and that there should be regulations governing the imported gametes and embryos.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by March 5, 2014

Land Transport Amendment Bill

http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/sc/make-submission/50SCTIR_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL12874_1/land-transport-amendment-bill

Main aim is to reduce drink driving limit from 0.08 to 0.05

NZNO will be making a submission consistent with our well established position on alcohol -

Members and member groups are also encouraged to make their own submissions and can find useful information and templates on the Alcohol Health Watch website: http://www.ahw.org.nz/. Submission close on 14 February 2014

Feedback Due: ASAP, please forward any comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head:  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372.

This bill follows  the Law Commission's Ministerial Briefing Paper 2012 on Harmful Digital Communications and is aimed at creating a new civil enforcement regime to quickly and effectively deal with harmful digital communications. It sets our principles of communication and creates new criminal offences to deal with the most serious harmful digital communications; there are a few small amendments to existing legislation to clarify their application to digital communications and cover technological advances.

A summary of the bill can be found here:
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/legislation/bills/digests/50PLLaw21041/harmful-digital-communications-bill-2013-bills-digest

NZNO supported the LC's recommendations and in conjunction with the NZNO National Student Unit, and Nurse Educators in the Tertiary Sector (NETS) developed a paper to guide student nurses' use of social media tools: Social media and the nursing profession: a guide to online professionalism for nurses and nursing students.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz 04 494 6372 by February 14, 2014

The Ministry of Health is seeking views on the outcomes, priorities and measures to inform the Government’s refreshed National Drug Policy on tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs. This is an opportunity to use your nursing knowledge and experience to guide the development of policy and practical strategies for the prevention, treatment and reduction of harm from the misuse of drugs. You may want to consider attitudes, workforce skills and training, service structure, funding streams, etc.

A link to the short discussion document and a background brief (Questions and answers) can be found here:

• http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-national-drug-policy-new-zealand-discussion-document

Previous submissions from NZNO:

• 2011-02 Alcohol Reform Bill NZNO Submission

and CENNZ

• 2011-02-18 CENNZ submission re alcohol reform.pdf (PDF, 35 KB) may also be useful.  

FEEDBACK DUE: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head,  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by February 10, 2014

Review of HDC Act 1994 and Code of Health and Disability Consumers' Rights

The HDC supports previous recommendations and asks if there are other amendments to the Act and/or Code which should be considered, and for comments on the operation of the Act and Code in general? The consultation document can be download here http://www.hdc.org.nz/media/252500/review%20of%20act%20and%20code%202014,%20consultation%20document.pdf

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by January 24, 2014