Delegate Training Summary 2019

Delegate Training Summary 2019

Waipuna Conference Centre, Mt Wellington, Auckland

By Dr Cecilia Linudottir

Day One 

Morning

• Group introduction.
  • It was great to see so many new faces, mainly PGY1s, and hearing why they wanted to become a delegate.
  • We discussed the role of a delegate and RMO rights.
• NZRDA structure and function – review of roles of key members within the organisation.
• Presentation by Barrister Mark Kelly on the legal aspect of medicine. It was a very enjoyable talk, and feedback from the group was that they would like to hear more about real life cases. He covered the following topics:
  • How to minimise risk of being involved in medicolegal issues and what to do if they arrive.
  • The importance of listening, being empathetic and keeping a good record.
  • Err on the side of excess when it comes to consenting.
  • Err on the side of caution and emphasising on the importance of having a chaperone for intimate exams regardless of gender of patient and doctor.

Afternoon

• Group Activity – bargaining role play.
• Presentation from Ian Powell, Executive Director of ASMS.
  • He provided an insight into issues the SMOs are facing, many of which are shared with RMOs. Surprisingly high SMO burnout rate of 50%.
  • Ian also covered the role of ASMS, the state of the SMO workforce and safer staffing accord.
• A review on the other organisations in Health.
  • Review and explanation of terminology/acronyms which is always useful.
• Dinner at the Degree Bar in Viaduct, food was above expectations, flowing drinks with great company marked the end of first day.

Day Two

Morning

• First session: the MECA.
  • A discussion about common topics such as salary, run reviews, leave, training cost, lieu days, additional duties, cross covering and so on.
• NZRDA Education Trust.
  • Artificial Intelligence Medical Symposium – Patrick O’Regan and Maple Feng provided feedback on:
  • The successful adoption of Babylon consultation within NHS.
  • The benefits and problems that come with AI, underlining that it is still only applicable as an aid rather than a replacement of doctors though cardiologists, interventionists and radiologists should be the firsts ones to be concerned.
  • AI is not the future anymore as it is being widely used in labs and many other areas of medicine. Some of them are capable of self-learning though how they learn and if they are learning the right things must be closely monitored.
  • Health and Wellbeing Conference 2018 feedback – many intriguing ideas that came up in this conference to work towards such as protected time to nap at night, fatigue managing systems, mentoring/buddying, BPTOK the Australian wellbeing program.

Afternoon

• Team building activity – Yacht Racing.
  • A first for many of us being on a sailboat. We boarded at the Viaduct, the group was divided into two and racing started from Auckland Harbour Bridge towards North Head and back. Our boat lost but we had an entertaining crew captain/guide.
• Day two concluded with dinner and quiz back at Waipuna Conference Centre.

Day Three

Morning

• 2019 Workplan, current issues and priorities. Topics covered:
  • RDA Office to Registrar and Registrar to SMO transitions.
  • Part-time training, RMO wellness, more CBA, sexual harassment, bullying, and danger around car parks.
  • Part time training – ideas regarding surveys amongst members to check for demand for part-time training. Trial starting with part-time friendly departments such as ED, Anaesthetics etc. Registrar anchor to consultant schedules.
  • Colleges – improve approachability, accountability and communication. Survey about what members think and want the colleges to do for us, what our needs are from the colleges, for example for colleges to create more training roles.
  • Maori health – to improve health literacy, clarity and decrease barriers to accessing health care, providing ideas with cheaper options.

Afternoon

• Compliance with Collective Agreements.
  • Steps to ensure compliance to the MECA.
• Interesting and enjoyable presentation by Dr Curtis Walker, MCNZ Chair, followed by a short quiz on what the MCNZ does.
• Dinner was held at Harbourside Ocean Bar and Grill with a speech from Mr Andrew Connolly, Head of Surgery CMDHB.

All in all, it was a great four days. Thanks to the RDA Education Trust for the opportunity to attend and listen to these intriguing presentations and speeches.

Interested in becoming a delegate? Here’s some more information for you.