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Media

Welcome to the media section of District Health Boards New Zealand.

All media queries should be directed to Senior Communications Advisor Sri Krishnamurthi,

ph 04-381-5150 or 027-530-7042, or email Sri.

Pharmacy LTC Executive Summary - 28 September 2011

Community Pharmacy LTC Workshop Notes - 28 September 2011

Appendix 2 - 2011 09 01 LTC workshop The context and history session - presentation.ppt

Patient Medicines Management Service Case Study

Year in Review 2010-2011

For the year ending 30 June 2011.

The year ending 2011 was another challenging but successful year for DHBs as they deliveredsignificant collective activity against a backdrop of continuing fiscal restraint and change within thehealth sector.

All DHB Annual Plan 2011-2012

District Health Boards (DHBs) face a significant challenge in 2011/12 as they manage service demand within a tight funding path. New agencies have been established to deliver value to the sector in the key areas of Service Planning, Workforce, Capital, Information, Quality, and Shared Services. Effective engagement between DHBs and these new national agencies is essential to ensure the sector progresses and that DHBs deliver on their District Annual Plans (DAPs).

Employment Relations

DHBs LOOKING FORWARD TO RESUMING SENIOR DOCTORS NEGOTIATIONS - 27 September 2011

The 20 District Health Boards are looking forward to resuming negotiations with Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) when they meet with the doctors’ union – the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) – later this week.

The resumption of bargaining has seen the senior doctors’ union claiming the health system is in crisis, that patients are in danger, and that this can simply be resolved by a significant upfront ‘investment’ in senior doctors’ salaries.

A Brief History of SMO Bargaining - 27 September 2011

The 20 District Health Boards and the Association of Salaried Medical
Specialists (ASMS) – the union for senior doctors – have been in
negotiations to replace the national senior doctors’ MECA since early 2010.
This factsheet sets out a brief history of SMO bargaining.

ASMS promotes myths to support unaffordable 20% pay claim - 30 August 2011

The District Health Boards of New Zealand dispute the claim by Associated Medical Specialists Association chief executive Ian Powell, that there is a health crisis caused by too few medical specialists.

Graham Dyer, spokesperson for the DHBs says: “By and large the people of New Zealand receive the care that they need when they need it to a high standard. We realise that there are future demand challenges emerging with a growing and ageing population.

Resident Medical Officer (RMO) negotiations

DHB updates on RMO bargaining, including information on the workforce and DHBs' objectives for training, remuneration and flexibility.

Statement - DHBs Satisfied with progress on SMO Negotiations - 18 March 2011

DHBs believes that negotiations with Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) are progressing satisfactorily despite some sticking points around remuneration structure, development of clinical leadership and reducing wastage in the sector.

Medical Radiation Technologists (APEX) and Medical Laboratory Workers (NZMLWU) negotiations

DHB updates on bargaining for MRTs and medical laboratory workers.

Media Releases

DHBs offer eight-month variation to Pharmacy Services Agreement - 27 July 2011

DHBs have decided to offer a variation to the Pharmacy Services Agreement that will take effect on 1 September 2011 for an eight month period to 30 April 2012.

However, DHBs wish to reiterate that the longer-term intent is still to progress to a service model as extensively discussed over the past year rather than the transactional fee per drug dispensed model that we currently have.

Primary Health Organisations continue to improve performance against health indicators - 21 July 2011Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) continue to make good progress against a set of agreed national health indicators.

The PHO Performance Programme reports twice a year on the performance of individual PHOs against a nationally agreed set of indicators based on health priority areas. The latest information about PHOs’ performance is available at http://www.dhbnz.org.nz/Site/Current-Issues/Performance-Results---Dec-2010.aspx and covers the six months to 31 December 2010.

Joint Media Release: NZCTU affiliated health unions and 20 District Health Boards - 6 July 2011 DHBs, CTU AFFILIATED HEALTH SECTOR UNIONS OPTIMISTIC OVER NEGOTIATIONS

DHBs and the NZCTU affiliated health sector unions are optimistic ahead of their employment negotiations when the two groups meet on July 7^th/8^thto commence bargaining.

DHBs acknowledge the significance of this group of unions who make up 80 percent of the health sector workforce and comprise nearly 55,000 employees.

DHBs support leadership role for senior doctors but can’t afford the bill - 2 June 2011

District Health Boards say they strongly support senior medical staff taking a leadership role in New Zealand’s hospitals but can’t afford the average $50,000 salary rise that the senior doctors’ union – Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) - is asking to go with it.

“We don’t have cold feet about senior medical staff cooperating with us in the leadership of health services despite their union’s assertions in the media,” says District Health Boards NZ spokesperson Graham Dyer.

New ways of delivering health services is key to Workforce challenges - 31 May 2011

DHBs welcome Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) reports which highlight opportunities for new and innovative ways of providing health services to New Zealanders.

Increasing demand for services and unequal distribution of specialists to deliver those services means New Zealand will have to develop ground-breaking ways of treating people in parts of the country.

ERA Rules in Favour of DHBs' on Life Preserving Services - 24 May 2011

20 District Health Boards yesterday (23 May 2011) welcomed a decision by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) supporting the DHBs’ interpretation of the legislation when it comes to concluding agreements for the provision of Life Preserving Services (LPS) during strike action.

Concerns were raised by the DHBs last year during the prolonged industrial action being taken by Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) represented by the Association of Professional and Executive Employees (APEX).

Good Progress Made On Pharmacy Agreement 2011 Consultation Issues Register - 18 May

DHBs and Representatives from four Pharmacy sector agents reported making good progress on Pharmacy consultation when they met in Wellington on Wednesday 11^th May to work through the Issues Register.

“We are making headway on the Issues Register items and it is pleasing to see there was wide consensus on a number of actions and changes that are needed to provide efficiencies for the community pharmacy sector while not exposing DHBs to service quality or financial risk” says meeting chair Matthew Wood.

Statement - National Consultation on Community Pharmacy Services Begins - 6 May 2011

Representatives from four Pharmacy sector agents met with DHBs in Wellington on Wednesday 4th May to commence the national consultation process for the community pharmacy services agreement. The new agreement needs to be in place by 1st September 2011 and this means that the contents of the agreement need to be finalised by July.

PHARMAC and the Ministry of Health’s Sector Services and Audit and Compliance representatives attended the meeting as observers.

Resident Doctors Negotiation Settled - 4 May 2011

District Health Boards are pleased to announce that they have a formally settled with the Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) (sometimes referred to as ‘junior’ Doctors).

“This is good news for a health sector that will be engaged in pay negotiations with over 80% of its staff over the next few months,” says DHBs’ spokesperson Graham Dyer.

Updated Enrolment Requirements for PHOs and General Practice - 3 May 2011

Changes to the PHO Agreement are negotiated by PSAAP (PHO Service Agreement Amendment Protocol), a group that represents DHBs, PHOs, General Practice and the Ministry of Health. Neil Stiles is the independent Chair.

Over the last year PSAAP has reviewed the PHO Enrolments requirements and the changes took effect from 1 May 2011 with the release of the Enrolment Requirements V3.0 referenced document. Release was delayed so that changes in the Government’s updated Eligibility Direction, April 2011 could be included.

Statement of Annual GP Fees Review Primary Care 2011/2012 - 8 April 2011

For 2011/12, the DHB contribution to maintaining value is a 2% increase in first contact capitation
payments, in line with the Minister’s Letter of Expectations. The cost pressures in the Annual Fees
Statement are 1.09%. Consistent with the PHO Agreement and previous year’s practice, DHBs are
adopting the following approach for 2011/12 with respect to PHO/provider intentions to increase
fees:

20 DHBs Delivery of Core Functions in new Health Environment - 9 March 2011

“In line with the new National sector structure DHBs have moved previous work on Health Workforce, Procurement, Shared Services, Information and National Service planning to the new national agencies and look forward to the benefits of these new agencies to the DHBs,” says Gregor Coster, Chair of the 20 DHB Chairs Group.

“What remains is core activity that DHBs are accountable for – National Services Contracting & Performance, Employment Relations and Capability, and 20 DHB Collaboration. These core functions are organised or facilitated through the 20 DHBs’ association, District Health Boards New Zealand (DHBNZ),” he says.

Pharmacy Consultation Proposals Released For Discussion - 18 February 2011

District Health Boards and PHARMAC, with support from community pharmacy agents, have today released consultation proposals for improving pharmacy services for people who require support to improve their health outcomes following the discussion documents process undertaken last November.

“The proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Schedule’s rules have a patient, rather than a medicine, focus” DHBs’ spokesperson Sharon Kletchko says.

Laboratory Workers Accept DHBs' Offer - 12 January 2011

District Health Boards are delighted laboratory workers have accepted an employment offer, ending a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

“This is good news indeed for patients, laboratory workers and all DHB staff,” says DHBs’ spokesperson Karen Roach.

“We’ve agreed on arrangements that are fair and consistent and in line with other settlements in the sector.”

Resident Doctors' Interest-Based Bargaining Process Begins - 11 January 2011

The interest-based bargaining (IBB) process agreed to by DHBs and their resident medical officers (RMOs) – represented by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) – to progress pay negotiations begins tomorrow (Wednesday 12 January) in Auckland.

Around 50 RMOs and DHB clinical and service managers, assisted by facilitators from the Department of Labour’s Partnership Resource Centre, will meet over three days to focus on ways to secure the desired future, address issues around flexibility and innovation at work and ways to attain the best work-life balance for RMOs. A further three days are scheduled for the beginning of February.

DHBs look forward to positive engagement with RMOs - 9 December 2010

DHBs are pleased that resident medical officers (RMOs) represented by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) have agreed to work with DHBs on common interests.

“We are pleased that RMOs have decided to engage constructively with DHBs,” says Karen Roach, DHB spokesperson for the negotiations. “The union has accepted the DHBs’ offer of 2% on base pay rates to apply from 1 October 2010 and has agreed to explore with us an interest-based approach to negotiations. This approach should enable us to consider some creative solutions to the issues facing this workforce.”

Radiographers accept DHBs’ offer - 8 December 2010

APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs), has accepted the DHBs’ offer to settle their collective agreement. All threat of industrial action from radiographers has now been lifted.

“We are pleased that radiographers have accepted an agreement that is affordable and fair in comparison to agreements already reached with 90 percent of the health workforce,” says DHBs’ spokesperson Karen Roach.

FURTHER PHO PROGRESS AGAINST HEALTH INDICATORS - 2 Decmber 2010

Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) are continuing to make good progress against a set of agreed national health indicators.

The PHO Performance Programme is reporting twice a year on the performance of individual PHOs against a nationally agreed set of indicators based on health priority areas.

DHBs’ offer to go to radiographers- 16 November 2010

APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs), has agreed to lift industrial action while it takes the DHBs’ latest offer out to its members.

“Getting to this point has been a difficult journey. We are pleased that we are able to offer the radiographers an agreement that is affordable and is fair in comparison to agreements already reached with 90 percent of the health workforce,” says DHBs’ spokesperson Karen Roach.

“Patients and other health sector staff will be relieved that the strike action – which has been ongoing since July – is being lifted as from 3pm today.”

APEX refuses to take offer to members; strikes to continue- 12 November 2010

Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) are to continue strike action for at least another week while they think about whether or not to even consider a new offer from DHBs.

The DHBs have spent three days this week in negotiations with APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs).

“Good progress was made yesterday with the parties coming closer to agreement,” says Karen Roach, DHB spokesperson. “The DHBs have said they are prepared to make another offer to settle the collective agreement but have asked the union to stop strike action while the members consider this offer.

Strike lifted; back to the table - 8 November 2010

APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs), has lifted its notices for full strike action across the country tomorrow and Wednesday. They will return to talks with the DHBs tomorrow afternoon.

“This will be some temporary relief for hospitals and patients,” says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs negotiations. “The union is, however, continuing with the so-called ‘low-level’ strike action at a number of hospitals.”

Union refuses to do what’s needed to avoid strike - 4 November 2010

District Health Boards have reiterated their willingness to meet Apex, the union representing medical radiation technologists.

“DHBs have repeatedly told the union that we will meet,” says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs. “We have asked the union to submit a proposal for settlement that shows it understands the DHBs’ interests around affordability.

DHBs will not be held to ransom- 2 November 2010

DHBs will not be held to ransom by the actions of a small group of health workers, says DHB spokesperson Karen Roach, in response to claims from the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs), the Association of Professional and Executive Employees (APEX).

“While APEX persists in talking about a supposed $200,000 gap between the parties, DHBs have always been clear with the union that the difference between the parties is far greater than this. The ongoing cost implication of what the union is demanding is up to 82% higher than DHBs can afford,” says Karen Roach.

APEX claims on payments unhelpful and inaccurate - 28 October 2010

Unhelpful and inaccurate, is the DHBs’ response to union claims about payments to medical radiation technologists (MRTs) during their continuing industrial action.

Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs, says claims by Apex, the union representing MRTs, are inaccurate.

RDA rejects deal it asked for - 28 October 2010

On 14 September Dr Curtis Walker, president of the Resident Doctors Association, was quoted in the New Zealand media as saying: “We have offered to settle for less than that [the deal struck with senior doctors] and yet they are refusing to extend the same what they call 'innovative holding pattern' to us ... Unless they were to offer that kind of arrangement to us ... industrial action is on the cards."

In response to the NZRDA's public position, DHBs on 29 September tabled just such an offer, which the NZRDA agreed to take back its members. "Despite asking for the deal, the RDA has now rejected the offer,” says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs.

Union rejects pay rise for members - 27 October 2010

Resident medical officers (RMOs) appear to have rejected the offer made to them by District Health Boards on 29 September.

“Their union, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), has tabled a counter proposal which would involve taking the two percent pay rise we were going to put in RMO pay packets and placing it in a union-controlled fund,” says Karen Roach, a spokesperson for the DHBs’ negotiating team. “The union says money from this fund may then be applied to roster changes at one or more DHBs.

DHBs deplore MRTs’ strike move - 22 October 2010

DHBs deplore the national strike action announced this afternoon by APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs).

“To escalate action in this way is a kick in the face for patients and co-workers who have borne the brunt of their ongoing industrial action for the past three months,” says DHB spokesperson Karen Roach.

DHBs frustrated at ongoing strike action - 20 October 2010

An offer is still on the table, but DHBs are losing patience as the Medical Laboratory Workers Union (MLWU) continues to add to a growing list of strike notices – now up to over 200 since mid July.

“This is a well paid, stable workforce, with few vacancies,” says DHB spokesperson Karen Roach. “Despite union claims to the contrary, the employers’ experience is that we attract good fields of suitably qualified candidates for our vacancies.

Offer now off the table, say DHBs - 19 October 2010

After 14 months of negotiations, nearly 600 strike notices and five offers on the table, District Health Boards are calling it quits with APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs).

“Our offer of 20 August is available for acceptance until 5pm on Tuesday 19 October,” says DHB spokesperson, Karen Roach. “At that point we will presume that APEX members would prefer to take strike action rather than settle the agreement, so the offer will be withdrawn.

Medical Laboratory Union claims are wrong, say employers - 5 October 2010

(joint release from NZ Blood Service and 20 DHBs)

Wrong, wrong and wrong again.

New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) says it is disappointed to see that once again the Medical Laboratory Workers Union (MLWU) is completely inaccurate in its media release about how the long-running, disruptive industrial action by lab workers is being managed by NZBS.

Patients before politics, say DHBs - 24 September 2010

Patients come to hospital for treatment – not to get drawn into union campaigns for more money, says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the 20 DHBs.

She was responding to a Resident Doctors Association’s complaint about being denied permission to hand out PR material on hospital grounds.

DHBs endorse strategic approach to procurement - 21 September 2010

The 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) welcome the OAG report on procurement presented to Parliament today.

20 DHBs’ spokesperson Peter Glensor says the report was developed over the three years 2006 to 2009 and includes information from a sample of DHBs. The 20 DHBs provided comment on an earlier draft. The report recommends a coordinated approach to procurement activity as well as the need for appropriate procurement skills and resources in the sector.

RDA puts effort into advertising instead of negotiations - 19 September 2010

Talk about fiddling while Rome burns.

District Health Boards are astonished by the priorities of the Resident Doctors Association in the current collective employment contract negotiations for the country’s Resident Medical Officers (RMOs).

DHBs are looking for change - 15 September 2010

DHBs are pleased that new bargaining dates at the end of September have been agreed with the Resident Doctors Association (RDA), continuing negotiations on a collective agreement for Resident Medical Officers (RMOs).

“We trust that over the next few weeks, RMOs take the time to find out about the DHBs’ offer and give it careful consideration,” says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs.

Senior doctors and DHBs agree on ‘holding pattern’ in national collective agreement negotiations - 13 September 2010

“Senior doctors and the 20 district health boards have agreed upon an innovative ‘holding pattern’ in the their negotiations for a national collective agreement,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, and Ms Karen Roach, spokesperson for the 20 DHBs, today.

RDA claims unaffordable - 13 September 2010

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) continues to make claims on behalf of its members that are simply unaffordable, says Karen Roach, spokesperson for the DHBs.

“Despite their statements to the contrary, the RDA has never made a formal offer of a rollover,” says Karen Roach. “It has, instead, tabled claims that are simply unaffordable.

DHBs cannot afford MRT union's extra claims - 13 September 2010

District Health Boards cannot afford the extra costs of claims made by APEX, the union representing medical radiation technologists (MRTs).

“We have done everything possible to prioritise claims APEX says are important to its members within what we can afford,” says DHB spokesperson, Karen Roach. “But APEX is asking for a settlement with a cost that is 50 percent more than has already been agreed with 90 percent of unionised health sector employees, including nursing and allied/ technical/scientific employees.”

DHBs refute lab worker union claims - 10 September 2010

The medical laboratory workforce is relatively well paid and stable, with few vacancies and those that do occur are attracting good quality candidates, says DHB spokesperson Karen Roach.

DHBs refute union claims of a crisis in this workforce. “The employers’ experience is that – with the exception of a few highly specialised jobs – we attract good fields of suitably qualified candidates for our vacancies,” says Karen Roach.

PHOs SHOW PROGRESS ON HEALTH INDICATORS - 10 September 2010

Seek medical help if needed, say DHBs - 6 September 2010 media release

People who need medical help should seek it, advise DHBs, ahead of a national strike by APEX medical radiation technologists tomorrow.

Contingency planning co-ordinator Anne Aitcheson says each DHB has its own plans in place. These plans will have been communicated locally. “The key point to remember is that if you are really sick, then get medical help. Either go to your own doctor or medical centre for an initial assessment and a referral if necessary, or go to the emergency department,” she says.