Latest news with #AnnualScientificCongress
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.
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Australia: RACS Calls On All Levels Of Government For Reform
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) today issued an urgent call to governments across Australia to engage in genuine negotiations to resolve the pressing issues facing the NSW Health surgical workforce. Australians are now waiting almost twice as long on average for elective surgery than they were 20 years ago. Workforce pressures and chronic understaffing have contributed to a decline in performance across the country, putting immense strain on both clinicians and patients. 'Our surgeons are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for patients across NSW Health public hospitals, however, they cannot continue to do so under the current conditions,' said outgoing RACS President, Associate Professor Kerin Fielding. 'We are increasingly seeing bureaucratic overreach and planning without senior clinician input, which has escalated over the past year. This has significantly impacted surgeon work practices, workforce wellbeing, surgical training, and most importantly, patient safety.' Associate Professor Fielding warned that the current conditions have led to resignations and industrial action across multiple jurisdictions, exemplified by recent strikes in NSW and the resignations in ACT. 'The industrial action reflects the consequences of chronic understaffing, unmanageable workloads, and poor working conditions. These issues threaten the quality of patient care and jeopardise the sustainability of our healthcare system both in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand,' Associate Professor Fielding said. In addition to advocating for systemic reform, surgeons will come together this weekend at the College's Annual Scientific Congress to discuss strategies for working with governments to reduce elective surgery waiting lists. The gathering aims to foster collaborative solutions to improve access and reduce delays for patients awaiting vital procedures. The College's concerns are backed by a recent national survey conducted by the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation, which revealed mounting fears of a widespread exodus of medical professionals from public hospitals across Australia. 'Without meaningful reform and collaboration, the system is under serious threat, many surgeons will leave the public sector, costing the government millions in training and support. We must work together now to turn this situation around before it's too late.' The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons urges all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and action to ensure a sustainable, safe, and high-quality surgical care system across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
