Latest news with #ANZCA
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Lifting advertising restrictions will enable medical conferences in NZ
David Seymour says two of Australasia's largest medical conferences will come to New Zealand next year. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Associate Health Minister David Seymour says medical conferences can happen in New Zealand now, because the government is lifting advertising restrictions on medicines. Two of Australasia's largest medical conferences will come to New Zealand next year, and the government is talking up estimates they could add $5 million to the local economy. Seymour said the advertising restrictions were brought in because of fears pharmaceutical companies could try to skirt approvals processes, but his Regulations Ministry found that approach was out of step with other countries. He said advertising medicines at a conference was one of the main reasons to hold one. "We have got rid of the restriction on advertising new medicines, so there's good reasons for doctors to come to New Zealand and learn about them. Before we made this change, New Zealand doctors would go to places like Fiji for a medical conference, which is nice for them, but bad for the New Zealand economy, because the money's going over there," Seymour said. The 2026 conferences are for the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), and could attract an estimated 3300 delegates. "You're going to see a whole lot of mainly doctors but medical professionals interested in learning about new medicines and technologies and that they're going to join together in New Zealand, and it's going to just be a wonderful thing," Seymour said. "It's the kind of activity we should want in this country. You know, I've long said New Zealand should try to be the ancient Athens of the modern world, the centre of medical science and excellence." Seymour in a statement said the government was committed to removing red tape, and the lifting of restrictions would make it easier for health professionals to keep up with the latest products and medicines. "New Zealand's current health regulations can be overly bureaucratic, and this is slowing down access to care, increasing costs, and making it harder for patients to get the services they need." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Government Welcomes First Medical Conferences Following Rule Change
Minister for Regulation Hon Simeon Brown Minister of Health Regulation Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown are welcoming confirmation that two of Australasia's largest medical conferences are coming to New Zealand in 2026, with a combined total of 3300 delegates expected to attend and generating millions of dollars in economic activity. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will hold conferences in New Zealand. ANZCA is expected to attract 1500 delegates from around the world and inject more than $3 million into the local economy. RANZCO's Annual Scientific Congress is expected to attract 1800 delegates in November and contribute more than $2 million in economic activity. 'By ending New Zealand's prohibition on advertising medicines at medical conferences and trade shows, we've sent a message that New Zealand is open for business,' Mr Seymour says. 'Prohibition was introduced in response to the perceived risk that pharmaceutical companies may attempt to circumvent formal medicine approval processes. The Ministry for Regulation investigated this, found the overly cautious approach was out of step with other recognised jurisdictions, and the Government acted fast to fix it. 'As well as the millions of dollars this is expected to inject into the economy, allowing these products to be advertised provides medical professionals with more knowledge and skills to prescribe these treatments to Kiwis who need them.' 'This Government is committed to removing regulatory barriers so that we can drive economic growth. Removing the red tape around medical conferences has made New Zealand a better destination for conference organisers, while also making it easier for our own healthcare professionals to keep up with the latest innovations in health products and medicines,' Mr Brown says. 'New Zealand's current health regulations can be overly bureaucratic, and this is slowing down access to care, increasing costs, and making it harder for patients to get the services they need. "We are looking forward to welcoming more medical conferences to New Zealand, and we have great facilities to host them.'
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
NZICC Lands Two Large Medical Conferences – 3300 Delegates To Attend
Two of Australasia's largest association conferences are confirmed for 2026 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), with a combined total of 3300 delegates expected to attend generating millions of dollars in economic activity. It's the first time in more than a decade that both the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) will hold conferences in New Zealand. ANZCA is expected to attract 1500 delegates from around the world and inject more than $3 million into the local economy. "As a trans-Tasman organisation, we are excited to announce that the 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) will take place in Auckland. We are one of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australasia, and we are thrilled to have secured the state-of-the-art venue of the NZICC," said Professor Dave Story, President of ANZCA. The conference, which will be held across six days, including pre-meeting workshops, in May 2026, will feature a distinguished lineup of international keynote speakers on anaesthesia and pain medicine and will deliver up to 150 workshops to attendees. Later in the year, RANZCO's Annual Scientific Congress will take place. It's expected to attract 1800 delegates in November and contribute more than $2 million in economic activity. 'RANZCO is delighted to be welcomed to Auckland for our 57th Congress. It has been over a decade since RANZCO's Congress was last hosted in New Zealand and we're excited to experience all the vibrancy Auckland has to offer," said CEO Mark Carmichael. NZICC Director of Sales and Planning, Alana Bicknell, says securing two such prestigious conferences in what will be NZICC's first year of opening is a major boost. 'We can't wait to extend our manaakitanga to the delegates of both conferences. We're confident the NZICC will absolutely wow them.' The bids securing these events were led by the NZICC with the support of the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. 'We appreciate the support from our industry partners to help bring these events to New Zealand, and also the government for their recent announcement regarding changes to the law around the advertising of medicines that have previously been a barrier to international medical conferences coming here,' said Alana Bicknell. Notes: The NZICC is designed to host events with over 4,000 attendees, offering flexible spaces that can be tailored to meet diverse event needs. Conveniently located in the heart of Auckland's CBD, it provides seamless connectivity to the city's vibrant communities, efficient transport links, and effortless access to more than 8,000 hotel rooms within a 20-minute walk, which ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for guests. About ANZCA ASM 2026 ANZCA ASM is an annual meeting organised by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM). It serves as a key forum for anaesthetists, pain medicine specialists, researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide to engage in knowledge exchange, discuss advancements, and address critical issues in anaesthesia and pain medicine. ANZCA ASM 2026's theme is '@Herenga waka, herenga tāngata: From home to home', which they worked with a designer, Chloē Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou), and cultural advisor, Tui Blair (Ngāti Whātua). Event Dates: 30 April – 5 May 2026 About RANZCO Congress RANZCO Congress is an annual scientific meeting, bringing together ophthalmologists from Australia, New Zealand, and overseas. The event fosters collaboration and learning in the latest techniques, research, and advancements in eye care. Event Dates: 5 – 9 November 2026 About NZICC: The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland CBD, making it one of the most connected convention centres in the world. Designed collaboratively alongside event industry experts, the NZICC is a vertically stacked, flexible and modern building, creating a hub of innovation and positive exchange integrated into the fabric of a vibrant city. Uniquely positioned to make each event a memorable experience, the NZICC will offer: A venue that is designed around giving delegates fast and effortless transitions between meetings, exhibition, pre-function, banquet, and performance spaces. A glazed facade provides delegates with an inviting and transparent connection to the vibrancy of the city while allowing views of Auckland's natural beauty, from the Waitākere Ranges to the Waitematā Harbour. Close proximity to Auckland's innovation ecosystem – universities, business headquarters and innovation hubs – allowing event organisers to tap into New Zealand's leading knowledge centres. An integrated atrium and public laneway encourage networking and enhances the delegate experience within a city full of excitement and sophistication, with over 8000 hotel rooms, dining precincts, shopping and entertainment all within 10 minutes walking distance. Configurable spaces presenting opportunities for a wide range of events with intimate meeting spaces on all levels, pre-function capacity for 2,700 people, convention capacity for 3,150 and one-off events for 4,000.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Almost 10,000 extra elective surgeries delivered by outsourcing privately, government says
Health Minister Simeon Brown says the government has delivered 9696 extra elective surgeries. Photo: Calvin Samuel / RNZ The government says it has delivered 9696 extra elective surgeries, putting it on track to reach its end-of-June target of more than 10,579 operations. Health Minister Simeon Brown said the procedures were completed by 11 May and most, 8631, were outsourced to private hospitals . He said they included hip and knee replacements, cataract and hernia surgeries and tonsillectomies. Brown said the programme targeted patients who faced the longest delays, with almost 60 percent having waited over four months for their surgery. "Our goal is clear - 95 percent of patients receiving elective treatment within four months by 2030," he said. "We are focused on increasing delivery of elective treatments - across both public and private hospitals - to reduce wait times for Kiwis needing procedures like hip replacements or cataract surgery." But the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists warned outsourcing would worsen medical workforce shortages and could create a two-tier health system. The chair of the college's New Zealand national committee, Graham Roper, said trainee anaesthetists needed access to the surgeries that were outsourced. "If the trainees don't get what we call a volume of practise, so a number of cases in particular areas of work, then their training gets extended until they reach that number. So potentially the training will become longer and that will make it less attractive for junior doctors that are looking for a career," he said. "It's a threat to our training scheme if we get a reputation for having to stretch out that training," he said. Roper said the government had said it was talking to private hospitals about training, but it was not clear what agreements had been made. "We do get regular reports from our training group which are keeping a very close eye on trainees and whether they're getting the experience that they need. To date, we haven't had anyone in a situation whereby they're not meeting [requirements], but we feel we're pretty close to it," he said. Any complications resulting from private hospital surgeries were transferred to the public system, Roper said, increasing the burden on public hospitals and making them less desirable places to work. "To look at a model that's going to have these unintended consequences of increasing burden without good consultation and planning is just a recipe for worsening the conditions in the public system," he said. Roper said Māori and Pacific people and people in rural areas were unlikely to benefit from the increased use of the private sector. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Health Reforms Raise Fears Of Two-Tier System And Workforce Shortages
Press Release – ANZCA Dr Graham Roper, chair of ANZCAs New Zealand National Committee, says the outsourcing plans will negatively affect the training of anaesthetists, who are critical for operations to proceed, and see existing specialists move from public hospitals to … Moves by Health NZ to outsource elective operations to the private hospital sector increase the risk of a two-tier health system and will worsen the medical workforce shortage, a leading medical college has warned. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) is one of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australia and New Zealand and the region's leading authority on anaesthesia, pain medicine and perioperative medicine. Dr Graham Roper, chair of ANZCA's New Zealand National Committee, says the outsourcing plans will negatively affect the training of anaesthetists, who are critical for operations to proceed, and see existing specialists move from public hospitals to the private sector. 'Trainees' practical experience will be impacted, with a loss of exposure to outsourced clinical cases, and skewed amounts of urgent and complex work. It will take longer for trainees to get their required experience, delaying their entry into the workforce. Anaesthesia training will become less desirable, threatening the ability to produce much-needed specialists. 'Anaesthetists are a central part of both the hospital and the surgical team – without them, operations simply can't go ahead.' Dr Roper says the changes will lead to public system specialists facing a large amount of complex and urgent patients, requiring the highest level of care with extended hours of work. This would lead to specialists choosing to move to the private sector, further increasing the strain on the public system. He is also questioning the ability of some private facilities to provide the required level of care and training opportunities. 'Not all private facilities are set up to deliver the same level of clinical care as the public system. Private providers do not take on the same complexity of work in the same volumes as the public system, and may not provide high-dependency care, intensive care, acute pain services, pre-admission clinics and access to urgent investigations. Any significant complications during or after surgery will see the patient transferred to the public system for ongoing care. 'Many private facilities do not have on-site medical cover overnight and have a limited ability to respond to medical emergencies,' Dr Roper says. 'Our Māori and Pacific peoples, with increased complexity of health needs, are unlikely to benefit from this outsourcing model. In addition, our rural and remote communities may not be well served with this change. 'People living in rural areas are not always close to a private provider, can have transport difficulties, and lose family and whānau support if they have to travel long distances for surgery.' Dr Roper says ANZCA is willing to be involved in finding solutions to the unmet need of elective surgery across Aotearoa New Zealand. 'The provision of high-quality safe and equitable care for our community remains the core aim of our profession and the New Zealand public should expect that access to anaesthesia and surgery is future-proofed.'
