The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has developed a smoke free position statement to provide a clear statement of NZNO’s commitment and to provide members with information on working in a Smokefree workplace or environment.

We welcome your feedback on this document, please forward your feedback or any queries to Leanne Manson, leannem@nzno.org.nz

Feedback Due: 28 February 2013.

The Medical Sciences Council has developed a draft policy on Expanded Practice for Anaesthetic Technicians which is open for discussion and available here. The brief consultation document covers a definition, principles, pre-requisites, activities, standards for ATs to perform PICC line insertion and to work  PACU and an evaluation framework for deciding if an expanded practice activity is appropriate.

NZNO will be making a submission - Feedback should be sent to NZNO policy analyst Marilynh@nzno.org.nz

You may also wish to give feedback directly to MSCNZ  in the online questionnaire. Click here to take survey 

Feedback Due: Friday, 1st February 2013.

Proposal to fund unapproved pharmaceutical treatments for various conditions

In a departure from normal practice, PHARMAC has entered into a provisional agreement for the funding and supply of 11 pharmaceuticals that have not been approved/registered by Medsafe, but which have been identified as important to treat conditions for which there are no registered products. Though some are already funded on Schedule 11, this proposal will provide access to funded medications for conditions such as gout, TB, helicobacter pylori, cryptosporidium infection etc. many of which disproportionally affect vulnerable people, and for some rare conditions.

Feedback due: Monday, 28 January 2013 to policy analyst, Marilyn Head marilynh@nzno.org.nz Ph 04 494 6372

Five changes are proposed to the Cost of Treatment Regulations which are:

• increasing the  general practitioner and combined general practitioner/nurse rates for under-six year olds by $5 (including GST) per visit
• rationalising and updating the dental rates
• increasing the general consultation rates by 1.9% as a result of the annual price review for most other treatment providers
• changing the name of the Cost of Treatment Regulations
• reinstating two items related to counsellors’ costs in the Schedule to the Regulations.

You may access the consultation document at http://www.dol.govt.nz/consultation/amendments-iprc-reg2003/index.asp

Your opinion is sought on the proposed regulation changes. If you would like to have your views taken into consideration, please respond on the submission form available at the above web address. If you need additional pages, please add them to the form clearly stating which proposed change you are giving feedback on.

Feedback Due: 25 January 2013 to marilynh@nzno.org.nz

PHARMAC is seeking input on clinical matters from all users of medical devices in the clinical setting following Cabinet approval of the plan for PHARMAC to assume responsibility for the standardisation, prioritisation and procurement of medical devices. In addition to opportunities for face to face discussion, PHARMAC has developed a list of questions to help identify the best ways of working with clinicians and the sorts of information they need to consider to ensure sensible funding decisions for medical devices (including consumables).

The consultation document and questions are available here and NZNO strongly encourages all members and member groups to give this their full consideration to ensure this initiative achieves the objective of improving the cost-effectiveness of public spending to generate savings for re-investment into health. Education, use and management of medical devices is integral to nursing practice, and this is an opportunity to help develop sensible efficient, and fair systems for the purchase and management of medical devices in public hospitals.

Feedback Due: 1st March 2013

Feedback should be directed to Policy Analyst Marilyn Head - marilynh@nzno.org.nz  Ph 04 494 6372