Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 116, Wednesday 15 August 2012
From NZ media this week
NZ nurses battling 'moral distress' - study
Nearly half of New Zealand nurses have considered quitting after suffering "moral distress" over their work, a new study claims.
http://bit.ly/NgjJ71
Nurses 'morally distressed'
Nurses in New Zealand are so morally distressed nearly half of them have considered leaving their current positions and nearly a fifth want to leave now, a new survey has revealed.
http://bit.ly/PhUYKf
Review of Voluntary Bonding Scheme timely – NZRGPN
“The Voluntary Bonding Scheme is a great concept but the results fall short of expectations for solving staff shortages in the rural health sector,” says New Zealand Rural General Practice Network chairman Dr Jo Scott-Jones.
http://bit.ly/PhUYKf
Review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
The Ministry of Health is about to lead a review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.The scope of this review has been agreed by Cabinet and will ensure the Act retains the ability to safeguard health practitioners’ competence; but in a way that supports the delivery of the workforce required both now and for the future.
http://bit.ly/ScyAQP
Hospital crisis puts patients at risk
The lives of patients are being put at risk as staff shortages reach "crisis level" in Auckland's hospitals, a union warns.
http://bit.ly/QCRjHN
SDHB proposal 'underwhelms'
The Southern District Health Board's proposal to restructure its upper echelons lacks "intellectual grunt", and has not been well enough explained to staff, the head of the senior doctors' union says.
http://bit.ly/QZxpHa
DHB jobs - smokers not wanted
Waikato District Health Board is exploring ways to deny jobs to smokers.Chief executive Craig Climo has sought legal advice on not employing smokers, and health board chairman Graeme Milne told the Waikato Times that he would support "any and every effective means possible within the law to discourage smoking".
http://bit.ly/OLohCP
Smokers' jobs bar a smokefree step too far
Medical unions say denying smokers employment is a step too far in the quest for a smokefree New Zealand and could lead to obese people not being employed in the health sector.
http://bit.ly/QCk9rY
Hospital gives patients vouchers to private clinic
Wellington Hospital resorted to giving patients vouchers to a private medical clinic because it was too busy.
http://bit.ly/Nn74ye
Diabetes medication to get shake-up
Pharmac has backed down on some changes to diabetes management products which will save the government drug-buying agency $10 million
http://bit.ly/TeAD9a
Medical Council seeks feedback on Good Medical Practice
The Medical Council is seeking feedback on its review of Good Medical Practice from patients, the public, stakeholders and doctors Good Medical Practice is the Council’s main document setting out standards for doctors practising in New Zealand.
http://bit.ly/MWl9bj
A life of service in war
The history of New Zealand nursing is in the process of being re-written by Hawke's Bay historian Sherayl McNabb.
http://bit.ly/MtKtnt
Abortion consultants protected
The Supreme Court has confirmed that the Abortion Supervisory Committee has no power to examine certifying consultants' decisions in individual cases.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7447778/Abortion-consultants-protected
Dangers of measles highlighted at booklet launch
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew launched two Ministry of Health measles-related publications at Starship Hospital today, and highlighted the impact of last year's measles outbreaks on children with cancer.
http://bit.ly/O53CYt
Better clinical advice for 111 calls
Top paramedics are now providing expert emergency clinical advice in Ambulance Communications Centres and helping to save more lives, says Health Minister Tony Ryall.
http://bit.ly/RcknZ5
Nurse sets high target
Nikki Houlahan has gone from leading assemblies at Feilding High School to treating children in a field hospital in Samoa.
http://bit.ly/P9DOik
Sexually inappropriate nurse named
A male nurse who inappropriately touched two female nursing students has been ordered to pay more than $20,000 in fines and legal costs.
http://bit.ly/PgeTsR
Whanau Ora: Urgent review follows abuse of scheme
The Government's flagship welfare policy for Maori, Whanau Ora - worth $40 million this year - is designed to lift families out of poverty and dysfunction, but it has been criticised as a waste of money and an opportunity for some to rort the system. In a four-part investigation, reporters Simon Collins and Yvonne Tahana speak to those at Whanau Ora's frontline.
http://bit.ly/Scx0yd
Whanau Ora: More cash the key to better lives, says CEO
The Government's flagship welfare policy for Maori, Whanau Ora - worth $40 million this year - is designed to lift families out of poverty and dysfunction, but it has been criticised as a waste of money and an opportunity for some to rort the system. In a four-part investigation, Yvonne Tahana speaks to those at Whanau Ora's frontline.
http://bit.ly/MQRRuK
Under-nourished patients a real concern
One in four people, either a patient at Wanganui Hospital or someone living in one of the region's rest homes, is classified as malnourished - a statistic that the Whanganui District Health Board is determined to correct.
http://bit.ly/QnmTFb
International media
Government of Canada Announces Support to New Family Doctors and Nurses
Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 3, 2012 -The Government of Canada today announced that eligible family doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners who work in rural communities will have a portion of their Canada Student Loan forgiven starting in spring 2013, thereby improving primary health care in rural communities. The announcement was made by Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Kellie Leitch on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=689369
Push to protect ER staff from patients
The Victorian State Government has announced that it is drafting new legislation to protect emergency department staff and paramedics.http://bit.ly/QTCq3p
Health professionals look inward to tackle obesity
Through programs like Hopkins students' 'Patient Promise,' caregivers seek to model healthy lifestyle choices
http://bsun.md/OTfl1F
State nursing shortage worsened in 2011, reports says
A nursing shortage appears to be on the rise in Massachusetts, according to the latest workforce report from the Massachusetts Hospital Association and the regional chapter of the Organization of Nurse Leaders.
http://bo.st/OHQlte
Community wellness as a financial strategy
Improving population or community health could be a good strategy ... if we actually focused on the expected tangible results.
http://bit.ly/Qxi8cu
Military nursing vital for Asia Pacific's safety (Sri lanka)
Today the defence forces are entrusted with not only to protect the sovereignty and integrity of a nation. The scope has widened to peace keeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster management. Facing terror forces with hi-tech arms and ammunition the danger is more for a country's defence force, but they are prone to injuries and wounds. It is also the need of highly skilled efficient medical personnel which is the key to a smooth operation of an army, navy or an air force.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/08/12/sec03.asp
Nurses protest against 'dangerous' decentralization (Aust)
Nurses have gathered outside the Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre in Brisbane to protest against State Government changes to health programs.
http://bit.ly/ONOEIb
Public health
Alcohol costs Canty $63m a year
Alcohol-related injuries and illnesses cost Canterbury's health system about $63 million a year, a report shows.Health professionals say despite the price tag being a "conservative estimate", it is still enough to "shock people".
http://bit.ly/ScU0Nv
Health and wellness
Smiling Reduces Stress And Helps The Heart
A new study suggests that holding a smile on one's face during periods of stress may help the heart. The study, due to be published in a forthcoming issue ofPsychological Science, lends support to the old adage "grin and bear it", suggesting it may also make us feel better.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248433.php
Nutritional supplements help during and after earthquakes, trial finds
August 9, 2012Nutritional supplements have been found to help people during earthquakes and in the stress periods after earthquakes, according to a significant University of Canterbury study.
http://bit.ly/MtKUy4
Work and management
Registration – free – is required to access the report below
Running on Empty: Fatigue and Healthcare Professionals
Personal and patient safety are threatened by sleepiness and fatigue in healthcare workers. What can be done to reverse this trend?NIOSH: Workplace Safety and Health, August 2, 2012
http://www.medscape.com/partners/niosh/public/niosh
Using EQ instead of IQ? – now that really would be an Olympian feat!
The Art of Health, Auckland 6 August 2012How many people in our so-called ‘first’ world’ countries know how to use their EQ (emotional intelligence) as opposed to their IQ? Does the general population even know what EQ is or how it can benefit their life?
http://bit.ly/TBsdsO
From the Ministry of Health
Whāia Te Ao Mārama: The Māori Disability Action Plan for Disability Support Services 2012 to 2017
The aim of Whāia Te Ao Mārama: Māori Disability Action Plan 2012 to 2017 is to establish priority areas of action to enable Māori disabled to achieve their aspirations, and to reduce barriers that may impede Māori disabled and theirwhānau from gaining better outcomes.The action plan is available to download and order in both English and Māori. You can also read the English version online.
http://bit.ly/PwxhtS
Immunisation: Making a choice for your children
Information for parents and others about how children and young people were affected by the measles outbreak in 2011.The booklet is available to download and order from this page. You can also read it online.
http://bit.ly/MtKXdi
Protecting Children with Cancer from Measles
Information for parents and others about how children and young people with cancer were affected by the measles outbreak in 2011.The booklet is available to download and order from this page. You can also read it online.
http://bit.ly/PgrHRw
Problem Gambling in New Zealand: Preliminary Results from the New Zealand Health Survey
July 2011 – March 2012
Summary
This report presents preliminary findings on gambling in New Zealand based on nine months of data collection from the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) (July 2011 to March 2012).These preliminary findings have been released to inform the Select Committee review on the Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill and development of the Ministry’s 2013/14–2015/16 Service Plan for Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm. This data is subject to change. A report focusing on gambling in New Zealand based on 12 months’ worth of data will be released in early 2013.
http://bit.ly/Q8e1mL
New publications
Competences: an education and training framework for ear, nose and throat (ENT) nursing (PDF 642.4 KB)
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders can vary from minor transient conditions such as tonsillitis, otitis externa and sinus problems. This education and training framework for ENT nursing has been developed by nurses in the RCN ENT/Maxillofacial Nursing Forum to establish explicit, nationally-agreed role profiles for adult ENT specialist nursing roles. The competences aim to support practitioners in career planning and personal development, inform future pay negotiations and support managers in workforce planning and development of role descriptors.
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/461483/004_267.pdf
Design, Evaluation, and Translation of Nursing Interventions
By Souraya Sidani and Carrie Jo Braden
This new book presents both general approaches and specific methods for developing nursing interventions – a key component in advancing patient care.
http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0813820324.html
Quality and Safety in Nursing: A Competency Approach to Improving Outcomes
Edited by Gwen Sherwood and Jane Barnsteiner
Edited by key members of the Quality and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN) steering team this is the first comprehensive text of its kind devoted to the nursing community’s role in improving quality of care and patient safety.
http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470959584.html
The above information has been collated for the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ) Inc by Linda Stopforth, SNIPS and is provided on a weekly basis. It is current as at Tuesday 14 August 2012
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