NZNO seeks your feedback on the issues concerning the aging nursing workforce and the aging population. 40% of registered nurses are now aged fifty or over. At 2038 there will be 1.3 million New Zealanders over 65.

Key issues include:

• Housing & Home ownership (the next generation of seniors will be less likely to own their own home – 69% in 2013).
• Technology (Most Kiwis are online, but half of people over 85 don’t use the internet at all).
• Increasing diversity (Māori population aged 65+ will increase 250% to 126,000 people).
• Transport (Demand for safe and accessible transport options will increase).

Please find the discussion document and other resources at: http://www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz/about-superseniors/ageing-population/index.html

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 17 August 2018.

Members are invited to feedback on the

Consultation on immigration settings for international students re:

• post-study work rights for international students and
• eligibility of students’ partners and dependent children to work and study in New Zealand.

Which proposes to:

• remove employer assisted post-study work visas at all levels;
• retain a one year post-study open work visa for non-degree Level 7 or below qualifications;
• provide a three year post-study open work visa for degree Level 7 or above qualifications;
• require students completing non-degree Level 7 or below qualifications to undertake at least two years of study to be entitled to post-study work rights; and
• require international students studying Level 8 or 9 qualifications to be studying an area specified on the Long Term Skill Shortage list in order for their partner to be eligible for an open work visa, and in turn the partner’s dependent children to be eligible for fee-free compulsory schooling.

Your feedback is sought on the implication of these proposals for:

• international nursing graduates;
• attracting/deterring international students  to study here; and
• whether the pathways for international students post graduation are fit-for-purpose and help to contribute to the skills New Zealand needs

http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/immigration/consultations/immigration-settings-for-international-students/consultation-on-immigration-settings-for-international-students.pdf

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 22nd July 2018.

link https://consult.health.govt.nz/acart/posthumous-reproduction/

Current guidelines on assisted reproduction do not address the:

• use of stored eggs, after the death of a woman
• use of stored embryos after the death of one or both of the gamete donors
• retrieval of sperm from a deceased man
• retrieval and use of eggs from a deceased woman
• retrieval and use of reproductive tissue from a deceased man or woman
• retrieval and use of sperm or eggs from a person who has become permanently incapacitated and whose death is imminent

Members are invited to participate in the Minister of Health’s Advisory Committee on Artificial Reproductive Technologies (ACART) survey and to provide feedback to NZNO.

Links to both the survey and a background document can be found here: 
https://consult.health.govt.nz/acart/posthumous-reproduction/

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 24 August 2018

Draft SNOMED reference set for general paediatrics and child developmental services

Feedback is sought on the draft SNOMED (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms) reference set for general paediatrics and child developmental services which identifies the most common clinical terms for reason for referral, signs/symptoms, procedures (performed in outpatient settings), along with working and confirmed diagnosis. Please find the link attached here:

https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/snomed-ct-subset-development-national-patient-flow-general-paediatrics-and-child-developmental

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 28^th July 2018

Members are invited to this bill which amends the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to allow volunteer associations that employ a person or persons for not greater than 100 hours per week to be excluded from the definition of a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). Ie effectively excluding volunteer associations from having to comply with health and safety regulations,  and removing provisions volunteers from the regulatory protections the Act offers. 

Find the link to the Bill, and the parliamentary debate (see video)  on its introduction, here (https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_76427/health-and-safety-at-work-volunteer-associations-amendment) 

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 25 June 2018.

NZNO welcomes your feedback on the proposed Living Standards “dashboard”. This dashboard aims at assisting the Treasury to measure the living standards of New Zealanders and manage resources that contribute to their wellbeing, currently and in the future. We welcome your views on

• gaps in the indicators of living standards and intergenerational wellbeing, for example Māori perspectives and
• concepts the dashboard includes that you think are useful.

Please find the dashboard in the report attached below:

https://treasury.govt.nz/publications/commissioned-report/treasury-living-standards-dashboard-monitoring-intergenerational-wellbeing

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 24 July 2018.

NZNO seeks your feedback on the government’s major review of the health system.

The draft terms of reference for the Health and Disability Review indicate that it will cover:

• How accessibility can be improved
• How the system balances services with population density
• Future-proofing the system - how the system will cope with climate change, technological advancement and antibiotic resistance
• Whether the system could be fairer, more equitable and effective
• How global healthcare is evolving
• How funding could be altered to improve flexibility and reduce inequities
• Infrastructure needs
• Increasing the priority of primary care and prevention

Areas outside the draft ToR are:

• The ACC scheme
• PHARMAC
• Private health insurance
• Disability system

We encourage you to respond to the Review both individually and via Colleges and Sections, Sector groups and Regions etc.

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 12 July 2018, or ASAP if you wish to comment on the ToR.

There is no statutory framework for the Police Vetting service.  A number of recommendations result from a joint review by the Privacy Commissioner and the Police Conduct Authority in 2016 and include establishment of a clearer process for police vetting. 

Concerns raised in 2017 by NZNO members about information made available to employers as the result of police vetting to meet the requirements of the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) have been explored by organisers and the legal team.  Member concerns include:

• The definition of relevant information disclosed to employers as the result of the police vetting process (pvp)
• The appropriateness of disclosing red flags including family violence red flags
• The different legislative requirements of the Privacy Act (1993); the Crimes Act (1961) and the Vulnerable Children Act (2014)
• The security of the information disclosed in the pvp including:
  • Format
  • Storage
  • Access
  • Duration - vetting (safety checks) every 3 years is the current requirement of the VCA

Please see the links for both the public consultation document from the NZ Police and the report from the review of the police vetting service by the Police Conduct Authority and the Privacy Commissioner.

Send feedback to sue.gasquoine@nzno.org.nz by 6th July 2018

NZNO seeks your views on the issues raised in four documents regarding review of the independent oversight of children’s issues and the Oranga Tamariki system. These documents raise important issues about the role and functions of the Children’s Commissioner, including how New Zealand ensures government agencies use their powers appropriately in relation to children; that children’s rights are upheld, their wellbeing is paramount and they are treated with dignity and respect.

These documents can be found here:  http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/policy-development/oversight-for-children/index.html

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 25 June 2018.

NZNO members are  invited to review and comment on SNOMED reference sets for consistent recording of chief presenting complaint, diagnosis and procedure information in emergency care.

Please visit the website link below: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/hiso-10048-emergency-care-data-standard-public-comment

Please send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 8 June 2018.

NZNO seeks your feedback on the above Bill which aims to amend the Accident Compensation Act 2001 (the Act). Please note provisions of the Bill including that:

• workers injured while overseas are still covered as are their families;
• super annuitants will no longer have to choose between weekly  ACC compensation and superannuation; and
• the ACC appeals authority will be disestablished and appeals will be heard in the district court.

We strongly recommend you read the Bill’s Digest:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-digests/document/52PLLaw25471/accident-compensation-amendment-bill-bills-digest-2547 which summaries amendments to the Act.

The Bill can be found here: https://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-NZ/52PLLaw25471/c3360c66f667d4e2b854c395d109a2b9bf1bc6e2

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 22 June 2018

Members are invited to contribute to two consultations on:

1. Proposed Technical updates to the Climate Change Response Act: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate-change/proposed-technical-updates-climate-change-response-act-2002-regulations
2. The Productivity Commission's draft report on transitioning to a low-emissions economy: https://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/Productivity%20Commission_Low-emissions%20economy_Draft%20report.pdf

Information/comment programmes, measurement, risks and actions to reduce emissions in the health sector would be welcome.

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 5 June 2018.

NZNO seeks your feedback on the following health information standards, which HISO sees as no longer fit for purpose, although we understand that nurses still use them. Are the indicated alternatives acceptable, and as useful, and are nurses aware of them?

1. SNZ PAS 8170: 2005 Primary Healthcare Practice Management Systems Relevant alternative standards include those related to interoperability, SNOMED and medications. Download this standard

2. SNZHB 8169:2002-Health Network Code of Practice This is effectively replaced by various other HISO standards, eg: HISO 10046 Consumer Health Identity Standard, HISO 10064:2017 Health Information Governance Guidelines, HISO 10029:2015 Health Information Security Framework. Download this standard

3. NZS 8153:2002 - Health records. This is effectively replaced by various other HISO standards, eg: HISO 10037 Connected Health (three sub standards) , HISO 10049 Videoconferencing Standard, HISO 10029:2015 Health Information Security Framework. Download the standard

Full information about the health information standards including Contained and Withdrawn standards is available on the MOH Health information standards page.

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 6 June 2018.

Police Vetting is a requirement for nurse registration process for nurses and three yearly vetting is a requirement for all those who work with children. The Police Vetting Service provides criminal history checks and other relevant information to employers and Approved Agencies. The Government is considering establishing a statutory framework for the Police Vetting Service, as there currently is none. NZNO is seeking your feedback on their consultation document which discusses what this may look like, and whether legislation would be an advantage.

Please find the consultation document here: http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/advice/businesses-and-organisations/nz_police_vetting_public_consultation_document.pdf

Send feedback to Sue.Gasquoine@nzno.org.nz by 6 July 2018.

NZNO seeks your feedback on the draft revised standard for ambulance and paramedical services, particularly  whether  on whether the standard is in line with current good practice from a nursing perspective,.

Please find a list of the key changes and a link to the draft standard here: https://shop.standards.govt.nz/default.htm?action=browseDrafts&draftTypeId=1&mod=drafts

Send feedback to marilyn.head@nzno.org.nz by 18 May 2018.