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

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 including models of care.

In 2011, NZNO published 2020 and Beyond: A Vision for Nursing establishing the parameters for future work in each of the areas of the vision. As a result, in 2012 and 2013, NZNO consulted on and published its education policy framework. In the latter half of this year, work has been undertaken on the NZNO models of care policy framework. Using the vision as a starting point, a research project was undertaken exploring nurse perceptions of models of care. The research identified a clear set of principles that have been used to underpin the draft policy framework on models of care that we are now consulting on. The research report can be found on the NZNO website: http://www.nzno.org.nz/resources/nzno_publications under Research.

Our intention is to consult widely – initially with members and later with other nursing and health professional groups and the wider public. We attach here for you the first draft of the policy framework on models of care that presents NZNO’s statements and goals on models of care and what needs to be done to achieve these goals.

We are seeking your feedback on the draft policy framework. In particular, we are interested in your feedback on the following points:

Content:

• • Are there any gaps or is there too much content?
  • Do you agree or disagree with the statements or the order in which they are presented?

Action points:

• • Do you support these?
  • Do you have any recommendations for further or amended action points?

Any other comments or feedback?

Please feel free to write directly on the framework document itself using track changes (or in pen then scan and email or post if this is easier), or on this document. Please forward to your members as appropriate. All comments and feedback are warmly welcomed no matter how small or large.

Please forward your feedback on the policy by 14 February 2014 to: jillc@nzno.org.nz

Enquiries to: Jill Clendon, Nursing Policy Advisor/Researcher

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of laparoscopic trocars and associated disposable instruments (“Medical Devices”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as a result of a provisional agreement (“Agreement”) with Applied Medical New Zealand Ltd (“Applied Medical”).

In summary, this proposal would result in Applied Medical’s range of Medical Devices being available for DHB’s to purchase at PHARMAC negotiated rates from 1 February 2014, subject to consultation and approval.

PHARMAC estimates that the proposal would offer up to $800,000 in savings to those DHBs that currently purchase the Medical Devices, and would offer further savings should other DHBs choose to purchase the Medical Devices.

DHBs would continue to be able to choose which medical devices they wish to purchase and from which supplier(s)

Feedback Due: to Policy analyst Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by December 18th, 2013.

PHARMAC is seeking feedback on a proposal to list a range of wound care products supplied by Mölnlycke Health Care Pty Limited (“Mölnlycke”) in Part III of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2014. In summary, this proposal would result in:

• Around 200 wound care products which are already supplied to some DHB Hospitals being supplied under a proposed national agreement that all DHBs may purchase under, subject to consultation and approval (“Agreement”). This Agreement is not a sole supply agreement, and DHBs may continue to purchase other suppliers brands of wound care products.

• Mölnlycke providing educational services including information on indications, contraindications and appropriate use of the wound care products included in the Agreement, to be organised with each DHB to suit its needs.

• Estimated total savings to DHBs of approximately $160,000 per annum based on current usage. Pricing for wound care products in the Agreement, subject to any prior termination of the Agreement would not be increased before January 2017.

Feedback Due: to Policy analyst Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by December 18th, 2013.

The Justice and Electoral Select Committee are seeking feedback on the Human Rights Amendment Bill.

The link to the bill is below:
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/legislation/bills/00DBHOH_BILL11154_1/human-rights-amendment-bill

This bill changes the role and structure of the Human Rights Commission from three equal Commissioners with designated roles for HR, Race Relations and Equal Employment Opportunities to an expanded hierarchical HRC which will have one Chief HR Commissioner, and 3-4 non-designated Commissioners. The function of the HRC will include the promotion of racial equality and cultural diversity, the promotion and equal employment opportunity (including pay equity) and an additional focus : to promote and protect the full and equal enjoyment of human rights of persons with disabilities. This is NOT the same thing as having specified Commissioner roles and it does the latter does NOT establish "a full time Disability Rights Commissioner" as inferred in the Bill's Digest ,since there are no specified commissioner roles. The Bill is more explicit about the HRC being able to comment publicly on the government's position in relation to HR, and imposed extra reporting duties.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy analyst Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by December 15, 2013.

PHARMAC, is seeking feedback on a proposal to amend the Pharmaceutical Schedule rules relating to the Dispensing Frequency rule. If the changes proceed, it would result in increased frequency of subsidised dispensing for some patients in residential care. The paper also includes a proposal to add zopiclone to the Safety Medicines list.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, or 04 494 6372 by Nov 30, 2013.

The National Ethics Advisory Committee (NEAC) are seeking  feedback on its draft advice Ethical challenges in advance care planning.

http://neac.health.govt.nz/feedback-ethical-challenges-advance-care-planning

The draft advice explores the ethical challenges that health professionals face in advance care planning. It aims to provide practical assistance to help ensure good outcomes for consumers and health professionals from the advance care planning process. NEAC developed this draft advice with feedback from a range of health professionals. Case studies are used to highlight common ethical challenges that arise. The advice, when finalised, will complement existing resources from the Ministry of Health and the National Advance Care Planning Cooperative, to create a full package of information and advice for the New Zealand context.

Feedback due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst Māori, Leanne Manson  leannem@nzno.org.nz or 044946389  by 6 December 2013.

The Law Commission welcomes the opportunity to review the second issues paper that focuses on the legal framework of burial and cremation.  The second Issues paper has been researched over a 2 year period with preliminary consultation with the Ministry of Health (which administers the Act), local authorities, the cemetery and funeral sector, experts in Māori customary law and representatives of various ethnic communities. 

Among the major reforms for public debate are proposals to open the cemetery sector up to alternative providers, including those wishing to establish eco or natural burial sites, and allowing for New Zealanders to be buried on private land such as a family farm.

The Issues Paper for the review of the Burial and Cremation Act is divided into four parts, with parts 2-4 containing consultation questions.

http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/project/review-burial-and-cremation-act-1964?quicktabs_23=issues_paper

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Advisor, Leanne Manson,  leannem@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6389 by December 6, 2013

Proposal P274 – Minimum Age Labelling of Foods for Infants FSANZ is proposing to align the labelling requirements of the infant foods of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code with the current infant feeding guidelines in both countries. The issue is the label recommendation of the age at which babies should move to solid food from breast milk. Allergy risk is increased with solid foods introduced to infants before four months; the critical period of risk is 4 -7 months, but evidence is not conclusive according to the consultation paper link below consultation paper. Randomised trials are currently underway. http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/proposals/Documents/P274-Labelinfantfoods-ConsP.pdf

Proposed amendments to Standard 2.9.2 include

• youngest minimum age declaration required on a label of an infant food is ‘around 6 months’ and for this wording to be displayed on first-stage weaning foods
• the age (number) should always appear on the front of the food label.
• A warning statement ‘not before 4 months of age’ is proposed to apply only to foods labelled as ‘around 6 months’ however, the placement of that statement need not be in association with the minimum age statement.

FSANZ notes that a statement indicating the consistency of the food continues to be required. Consequential amendments and a small number of corrections to the Standard are also proposed.

Feedback Due: Please send comments to Policy Analyst, Marilyn Head  marilynh@nzno.org.nz, 04 494 6372 by November 1, 2013

Standards NZ are seeking feedback on a draft Rongoā Tikanga Standard that describes guidelines for the provision of safe and quality rongoā services.  This discussion document encourages and supports consistency of quality rongoā care, and the ongoing development of the rongoā workforce.

It also provides information which:

• sets out the rights and mana of tūroro
• highlights management systems to assist rongoā providers
• supports a traditional integrated rongoā Māori service
• promotes health and safety
• proposes a framework to validate, verify and endorse the integrity of the rongoā service.

If you wish to comment on the standards, please forward your comments to Leanne Manson, Policy Advisor Maori.  Please see a copy of standards attached or you can download the  document  from the Standards New Zealand website  under developing standards.

Please send comments to Policy analyst Māori Leanne Manson leannem@nzno.org.nz  04 494 6389

by 12 August 2013.