ANZCA and FPM continue to build strong relationships

AUSTRALIA Continuing work with the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) Taskforce

In line with our focus on increasing engagement with government, the college has been working with key federal and state departments and ministerial offices to advance the importance of anaesthesia, perioperative and pain medicine in Australia and New Zealand.

To that end, the college has been in regular discussions with Health Minister Mark Butler’s office, as well as the federal Department of Health and Aged Care. The Faculty of Pain Medicine and ANZCA has established a close working relationship with the Medical Benefits Schedule Taskforce within the department and received a positive response from the federal minister, in which he committed to working closely with the FPM and ANZCA on specific recommendations towards restoring funding for some chronic pain services in Australia.

ANZCA and FPM have been working to build stronger relationships with key stakeholders, such as in allied health and rural and remote health, so that further representations to government are presented in the best possible terms. This follows meetings with the ministers for health and rural and regional health in the previous quarter.

Ahead of the federal budget, ANZCA’s representatives are meeting with key ministerial and departmental representatives at the federal level, with particular focus on maintaining best practices in safety and quality, the role of specialist international medical graduates, and the emphasis that ANZCA places on multi-disciplinary approaches to medicine, including in pain and perioperative medicine.

Such representations have been made at state and territorial levels as well. The importance of pain and perioperative medicine to long-term best practice is increasingly well received in departmental and political offices. In addition to meeting with the federal minister’s office, ANZCA had regular discussions with the state offices, and wrote to – and had been in regular contact with – the NSW health minister ahead of the March 2023 election.

Key issues raised to government at state, territorial and federal levels have included the funding of key positions for anaesthetists (particularly in rural and remote settings), the importance of multi-disciplinary and perioperative approaches to medicine, and the importance of maintaining a strong healthcare system, which ultimately benefits the economy, and well-being of all. The college is increasingly being recognised in state and federal governments as being dedicated to those goals.

New Zealand

A new prime minister and health minister

The upcoming election in New Zealand has been turned on its head by the resignation of now-former prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and her replacement by Chris Hipkins. Until his elevation to the prime ministership, Mr Hipkins had undertaken a variety of roles including COVID-19 Response Minister, and a short period as Minister of Health.

On assuming the leadership, Mr Hipkins unveiled a newlook cabinet, including a new health minister, ahead of the election set down for October 14. Former Health Minister Andrew Little was replaced by Dr Ayesha Verrall, an infectious diseases expert who rose quickly through the ranks in her first term in parliament, including serving as Associate Health Minister and COVID-19 Response Minister. While the impact of storms in Auckland at the end of January and Cyclone Gabrielle across the North Island at the start of February largely delayed the start of the political year, the college office met with the new Health Minister in April, with issues raised including training and workforce retention.

The college has also been engaged in discussions with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) over the ongoing issue of growing waiting lists for elective surgery. RACS has highlighted a lack of anaesthetic technicians as a contributing factor to the delay, noting that the issue is long-standing and expected to continue for some years. Specifically, one of the contributing factors is a change in training away from an on-site apprentice-style system to the requirement for a three-year degree. Many anaesthetic technicians are also being attracted to the private sector and to smaller regional centres which offer a cheaper, more relaxed lifestyle. Wages are also another factor that are likely impacting.

After meeting to discuss the issue, the two medical colleges consulted with Dr Andrew Connolly, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the New Zealand government’s Planned Care Taskforce. The Planned Care Taskforce was established in May to cut national surgical waiting lists. At that time there were reportedly about 27,500 people waiting longer than the four-month target for their planned surgery. Updated figures released by Te Whatu Ora/ Health NZ showed that figure had grown to 30,000 by the end of October.

Submissions

The college prepares submissions and makes representations to government and other stakeholders on a range of policy initiatives and inquiries, many of these in response to requests for college feedback and input. Our submissions to public inquiries are available on the college website following the inquiry closing date. Note that some inquiries and requests for college input are confidential. For a listing of recent submissions visit www.anzca.edu.au/safety-advocacy/advocacy.

Australia

• Ahpra: Draft data strategy.

• Ahpra: Review of accreditation arrangements to prepare for 2024-2029 cycle.

• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care: Sustainable healthcare module.

• Medical Board of Australia: Draft revised guidelines for telehealth consultation with patients.

• Queensland Health: Mandatory checking of Q script and monitored medicines standard compliance requirements.

• Royal Australasian College of Physicians: Rehabilitation medicine advanced training curriculum.