News briefs including: New Code of Conduct/ Review of HPCA Act/ PHC College awards/ Correction /Appointments and movements/ Meningitis website launch / Dementia campaign and website launched
Review of HPCA Act
All nurses over the next three years will be expected to undergo professional development on the recently released new Code of Conduct for Nurses.
The Nursing Council has produced the new code, and the related new professional boundaries guidelines, to replace the outdated code that was first developed in the mid-1990s.
The 48-page code is now built around eight principles rather than the original four, and the eighth, about reflecting the cultural needs and values of health consumers, was added following the consultation process. The 33-page professional boundaries guidelines now includes guidance on social media, and following feedback from submissions, more detailed advice on the boundaries around sexual relationships and working with health consumers nurses have existing relationships with. The code is framed around the four core values of respect, trust, partnership, and integrity, with the key message of both documents that nurses must make the care of patients their first concern, and to do this, they must maintain professional boundaries.
Interactive presentations are to be held around the country to support nurses meeting professional development requirements around the new code. The use of online learning is also being explored. Details are expected to be released shortly. Nursing Review will take an in-depth look at the new Code in our next edition.
Review of HPCA Act
How can our health professional regulatory framework be more responsive and flexible is one of the questions being asked in a major review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.
The Ministry of Health has released a 50-page consultation document examining the HPCA Act, which has been the backbone of health professional regulation since its passing in 2003. Currently, the regulatory authorities of 13 health professions are covered by the act, including the Nursing Council, and the review asks whether this number should be reduced, as it has in the UK, where nine bodies regulate 25 health professions.
The review also asks questions around whether the Act be used to promote a more flexible workforce, promote effective ways of the different health disciplines working in teams, and become more responsive to keep pace with integrated and innovative models of care. Further areas examined are whether the Act is keeping the public safe from harm and whether it is keeping the public informed on health regulatory matters that concern them.
Developing a robust data collection system to inform workforce planning is also being considered as part of the review and whether regulatory authorities should have a role in pastoral care of health professionals. The consultation document can be downloaded from publications section of the Ministry of Health website: www.health.govt.nz
PHC College awards
The achievements of primary health nurses were celebrated with a series of awards at the inaugural conference of the New Zealand College of Primary Health Care Nurses NZN0 held last month in Hamilton. Taking out the clinical excellence award was Clare Heng, a clinical nurse leader at Blenheim’s Wairau Community Clinic. Denise White (Clinical Nurse Specialist Community for MidCentral District Health Board) and Emma Hickson (charge nurse manager for Capital & Coast DHB) were presented awards for services to district nursing. White also won an innovation award. Wellington public health nurse Chris Campbell took out the award for innovation in public health. Strategic leadership awards were presented to Nelson independent nurse consultant Brenda Bruning and Palmerston North PHC nurse contractor Jane Ayling. More than 350 nurses attended the conference, with Rosemary Minto continuing as chair and Debbie Davies as vice-chair.
Correction
In Nursing Review’s last edition by error a photo of Diana Hart (incorrectly captioned Marina Lambert) was published with the article Building your diabetes and respiratory nursing skills (p.14) instead of a photo of the article’s co-author Marina Lambert. We apologise for the error.
Appointments and movements
Kerry-Ann Adlam, the longstanding director of nursing for Taranaki District Health Board, has left to take up a new position at HealthShare, the shared services agency for the five midland region DHBs. She is project manager for two HealthShare clinical groups. Gail Geange is currently acting director of nursing at Taranaki DHB.
Sonia Gamblen, has been recently appointed director of nursing for Tairawhiti District Health Board after being acting director since March last year. She was previously associate director of nursing and has been at Tairawhiti since 2006, when she arrived from the United Kingdom to become the nurse entry to practice coordinator.
Margaret Dotchin, was confirmed as executive director of nursing by Auckland DHB midyear after stepping into the interim role in February following the resignation of Taima Campbell. She was previously director of nursing for adult services and has held both general management and nursing leadership roles for adult nursing and has been general manager of National Women’s Hospital.
Kate Rawlings, a former nurse educator, has been appointed head of the South Island Regional Training Hub. The hub is one of four established nationally by Health Workforce New Zealand with the goal of providing more effective postgraduate education and training for health professionals. Rawlings has a Bachelor of Education (nursing) and a Master’s of Health Administration and is the former manager of the University of Canterbury’s College of Arts.
Former nurse-turned-health manager, Ron Dunham, is the new chief executive of Lakes District Health Board. Dunham replaces fellow nurse-turned-CEO Cathy Cooney, who stepped down in June after 11 years in the job.
Meningitis website launch
The vital message of ‘don’t swap spit’ and information about the symptoms of meningitis are available on a new dedicated website launched in August.
The website was launched just weeks prior to the sudden death of 12-year-old Wellington school girl Amanda Crook-Barker from meningococcal disease.
Paul Gilberd, spokesman for the The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand, which created the website, said meningitis is difficult to diagnose as it presents with flu-like symptoms but can often strike and progress quickly. He said the website can educate New Zealanders about meningitis, the preventative role of vaccinations, and to know what symptoms to look for. He said people also needed to be reminded of the vital message ‘don’t swap spit’.
“In practical terms, this means don’t share drink bottles, cigarettes, spoons, or straws. The foundation website can be found at www.meningitis.org.nz
Dementia campaign and website launched
Sooner and smoother diagnoses of dementia are behind a campaign to prompt people to talk to their doctor or practice nurse about early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The campaign called “The sooner we know, the sooner we can help” also includes a dedicated website aimed at informing health professionals about dementia so they can support patients and families.
Matthew Croucher, a psychiatrist specialising in old age, said a timely diagnosis allows the transition into dementia to be smoother and allows issues to be managed before they become crises. An estimated 48,000 New Zealanders have dementia, and it is set to increase to 88,000 by 2030 and 147,000 by 2050. Croucher says general practices can help a person with dementia symptoms through education, practical support, relieving symptoms, monitoring risk (for such things as falls and wandering) and helping plan ahead. The website www.wecanhelp.org.nz includes a directory of support services and specialists, links to evidence-based information, and resources that patients can be referred to.
