Recent NZAOT Submissions

HWNZ workforce service reviews 2011

In response to the first tranche of workforce service review findings and recommendations to the Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) Board, NZAOT has submitted some feedback in particular in regards to the palliative care, aged care, and musculoskeletal reviews.

For detailed submission - read here.

GPEP training review 2011

A discussion paper on a new model of training that aims to encourage more doctors to choose a general practice career, as well as supporting GPs to work within a changing health sector was an opportunity for NZAOT to promote an enhancement in the understanding and appreciation of the roles of the interprofessional team in order to maximise client outcomes.  We believe that an increased interprofessional way of working and appropriate involvement of allied health professionals leads to a more integrated health care system, improved outcomes and is a cost benefit.

For detailed submission - read here.

Proposal to Modify Regulatory Authorities 2011

NZAOT, together with other groups representing health professions, signed up to a joint submission on the HWNZ proposal for a shared secretariat and office function for all health-related regulatory authorities, together with a reduction in the number of regulatory authority board members.

In essence we have agreed that efficiencies do need to be achieved and we are supportive of any process that enables reductions in the costs associated with registration.  However,  a number of questions and concerns were raised in the submission.  In the first instance, associations were not invited to participate in the consultation phase which we believe potentially ignores valuable insight and commentary on the proposed changes.  It was unclear if the proposal had adequately accounted for transition costs or if indeed the estimated savings were realistic.

For detailed submission - read here.

New Zealand Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management 2010

NZAOT congratulates the New Zealand Stroke Foundation and the New Zealand Guidelines Group on the development of a comprehensive new set of guidelines for acute and post acute stroke care in conjunction with the national Stroke Foundation of Australia.

For detailed submission - read here.

Quality of Care Older New Zealanders Experience

NZAOT made a submission to the combined Labour - Green Party and Greypower investigation into the treatment of the elderly in New Zealand.

We said: ' The best managed institutions are those that continually strive to achieve the sort of care and environment that the staff would want to receive themselves in a few years!' and in regards to home care: ' If we value people remaining in their own homes, we need to ensure allied health services are given the funding required to provide a timely and safe support service.'

For full NZAOT submission - click here.

Health and Well being of Prisoners and their Families: An occupational therapy perspective’ 2010

The NZAOT submission to the National Health Committee: is referenced in the report: Health in Justice: Improving the health of prisoners and their families and whānau.

‘Rehabilitation practitioners could significantly improve health and disability outcomes for prisoners. The NHC believes this area of health need is greatly under resourced in the current system. For instance, some prisoners with an intellectual disability, a mild to moderate mental illness, or a learning disability, could benefit from occupational therapy to adapt to the routines and constraints of prison life and to develop social and survival skills in prison. After release, these prisoners need support to develop structure, confidence, vocational skills, and daily living skills. The absence of these skills heightens the risk of worsening mental health and therefore re offending. This is particularly likely for long serving prisoners and others released without any or sufficient support.’

For full NZAOT submission - click here.

Special Education Review 2010

We think the most important change that would improve outcomes for young people with special needs is an increased access to training, particularly for those working directly with children.  Most importantly, the training needs to be evidence-based and systematically delivered, either through staff selected modules or a core entry level qualification for working with children with special needs.

For full NZAOT submission - click here.

Strategic Plan for Pain Management Services

The strategic direction information document recommendations are reasonable – however they do not go far enough in ensuring– that pain is best managed in an interdisciplinary, age and culturally appropriate psycho social model.  NZAOT desires to ensure that pain management services are delivered in a consistent way – so that all providers are delivering the same message, and that providers have the knowledge and skills to deliver services (2009).

For full NZAOT submission - click here.

Review of HPCAA (2008)

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act) came into force on 18 September 2004. Late in 2007, the Ministry of Health called for submissions on the first phase of a review: the focus to be on the way in which the Act is being operationalised to achieve its intent to protect the public. The core principles underpinning the Act will not be reviewed.

For full NZAOT submission - click here.

For the MOH analysis and all HPCAA submissions: click here.

A series of workshops will be held in April to further identify problems and recommend solutions. The ideas will be developed into a discussion document for further consultation. NZAOT plans to have three registrants at the workshops.

The consultation period on the discussion document will run for two months. It is anticipated the discussion document will be released mid-2008.

Building for the 21st Century - Review of the Building Code (2006 and 2007)

...NZAOT welcomes moves to promote health, safety and sustainable development in the Building Code, we have chosen to focus our submission on the well being aspects of the Review. Themes of accessibility and universality have emerged and are underscored by the frustrations of many therapists who struggle to find solutions for individuals in their communities. Increasingly, the concept of universality is becoming more commonplace. Adoption of this model in the New Zealand Building Code would reduce future housing modification/equipment costs to the state and private citizens, allow people to remain in their own homes through changing circumstance and ensure that future innovations in design for the elderly or those with disabilities are not precluded by lack of foresight in the short term.

For full 2006 submission - click here.

For follow up 2007 submission - click here.