Anaesthesia Workforce Service Forecast
Lead: Dr Andrew Reid and Dr Nigel Waters
Anaesthesia is focused on maximising positive outcomes for the patient underpinned by astrong evidence base in science and advanced clinical skills. Anaesthetists are involved in patient care from initial pre-operative assessment of the patient through to post-operative care and pain management. They are involved in retrieval, trauma, emergency resuscitation work and intensive care.
This approach has informed the work of the Forecast Group, through a process of survey work and evaluation of a range of options looking to sustain the anaesthesia workforce into the 21st century and beyond.
The genesis of this forecast was the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed between the NZ Society of Anaesthetists NZSA and HWNZ in July 2010, in recognition of the need to review and consider options for the future of a critical and potentially vulnerable workforce. Since that time, the Anaesthesia Resource Review Group (ARRG) has developed. The group incorporates representation from the New Zealand National Committee of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and from amongst the Vocational Trainees in Anaesthesia.
The forecast represents a major step forward as a profession led investigation and response to the issues facing the current workforce and those in training.
Next Steps
HWNZ is working with DHBs to establish demonstration sites to test an expanded role for Anaesthetic Technicians. In addition to their usual role, the anaesthetic technicians will be undertaking additional duties including IV cannulation and pre-assessment checking of some patients.
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