Current Public Health Vacancies

This is the latest update from the Ministry of Health (18 March 2020):

"There are four new cases in Auckland, one in Christchurch, two in Waikato and one in Invercargill.

This brings our total to 20 confirmed cases in NZ.  Details for each of these cases, including flight information where applicable, will be on the Ministry of Health website later today.”

In response to this MoH update and the continued uncertainty regarding COVID-19 we at national office are making the following announcement:

It is with regret that we advise you to please revise all travel plans, plans for face to face members’ hui, as well as any PHA public events on the horizon. With the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 worldwide, we are extremely aware of the need for PHA members to focus on the health and safety of their families and communities, not to mention their own. We are also mindful that we at the PHA have a leadership role to play, in modelling a best-practice response to this pandemic.

Our Zoom facility is on hand for all branches, caucuses and SIGs to deploy, for remote face to face meetings online. Please contact Fiona (fiona@pha.org.nz) or Alyssa (pha@pha.org.nz) for support to plan your zoom meetings.

Please see MoH's COVID-19 webpage to keep updated.

Please take care of yourselves and those around you.

Arohanui from the team at national office.

How to minimise the risk of getting sick at an event of any size

The most important thing to do is practice good hygiene. This means:

• covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or coughing/sneezing into your elbow
• disposing of used tissues appropriately in a bin
• washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and drying them thoroughly, or using hand sanitiser:
  
• • before eating or handling food
  • after using the toilet
  • after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses
  • after touching public surfaces
• keeping 2 metres away from people who are unwell
• limiting alcohol and drug use (as this may affect your ability to adequately follow the advice above).

The measures above are especially important for people who have existing health conditions, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems.

We recently made a submission to the Justice Select Committee on the Inquiry into 2019 Local Elections and Liquor Licensing Trust Elections. 

We recently made a submission to the Justice Committee on the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill. We will be appearing in person before the Committee to give an oral submission next week in support of our written submission.

We recently wrote a submission jointly with the NZ College of Public Health Medicine, and an endorsement of Ora Taiao's submission, on the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Reform) Amendment Bill.

Finally the movie you've all been waiting for! PHA's scorecards for the DHB elections!

In this video our CEO Dr Prudence Stone, Wellington branch member Dr Jude Ball and the previous branch co-chairs Ramil Adhikari and Nita Brown discuss PHA's scorecard campaign.  Three of our branches, Wellington, Canterbury/West Coast and Otago/Southland,  were involved this year in this very successful campaign and we hope next time around more of our branches will join in.

Report by Governing Council Representative to Asia Pacific, Adrian Te Patu (PHANZ) World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)

The Institute of Global Health, reception of the World Health Assembly (WHA)

The Swiss Permanent Mission of Geneva invited the WFPHA governing council, including the Indigenous Working Group, to join the 194 member country delegations to the WHA opening reception. This high level soirée was a perfect opportunity to promote the WFPHA, indigenous public health and the PHANZ. I was able to spend time with Pacific Forum delegates to discuss public health issues unique to our region, and for those who live in Aotearoa. It was particularly rewarding to meet the delegation from Tuvalu who was to host the Pacific Forum in August. Our host Switzerland promoted various global health-based search initiatives from academic and research partners that base themselves in Geneva. This special evening was co-hosted by the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WFPHA International Vaccination & Capacity Workshop 2019

It was my privilege to offer an indigenous lens as a member of an international panel of the International Vaccination & Capacity Workshop hosted on May 22nd at the University of Geneva. This was enormously successful, registering over 300 public health professionals, doctors, diplomats, professors and students from across the globe. This was in addition to over 25,000 live-stream engagements. The workshop was full of robust and stimulating discussions between the audience (both in person and online) and our 20 high-level eloquent speakers from various health sectors around the world. These interactions offered a strong interdisciplinary insight into the challenges and potential solutions around vaccinations and capacity. Speakers discussed strategies and good practices to increase primary prevention through increased capacity (from human to infrastructure to sustainable investments and beyond) applied to the vaccination context. From the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to Strep A vaccination strategy research to arresting rheumatic heart disease in south & west Auckland, the full day workshop was a truly valuable global discussion.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD s) Workshop - Indigenous Working Group (IWG) of WFPHA

I was able to co-host and speak at this workshop which began by acknowledging that NCDs contribute to 70% of deaths globally. Indigenous people, however, often carry a higher burden of disease. Australian Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care opened the workshop via video. Minister Wyatt had previously funded the IWG and expressed his continued support for the IWG and the work we are undertaking. The diverse range of speakers included Professor Laetitia Rispel from South Africa, President of the WFPHA; Mr. Patrick Mwesigye, founder of the Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum; Summer May Finlay, Co-Vice Chair of the IWG, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vice President of the Public Health Association of Australia and me. The topics included the significant burden of disease, Indigenous-led solutions, the impact of racism and the need for Indigenous data collection. The workshop called for specific Indigenous reporting under the World Health Organization’s Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Agenda includes 17 goals and states that “no one will be left behind”.

Governing Council (GC) AGM and WFPHA General Assembly

The three functional meeting requirements for GC members in attendance at Geneva this year included the AGM which focused on finance, the Rome Congress and new appointments to the GC. The General Assembly allowed each member nation and working group to offer a summary of the year. This year a Skills Building Seminar on Governance specially dedicated to navigating the international political minefield was included.

16^th World Congress on Public Health Rome 2020 - International Congress Council (ICC)

In a very unusual move, three significant public health associations have combined to stage this event in Rome next year. They are the WFPHA, the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (Sltl) and the European Public Health Association (EUPHA). I am a WFPHA member of the organising committee or ICC which is chaired by Prof Martin McKee, CBE, Professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. We are expecting four to five thousand attendees.

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War - Side event

It was my privilege to join a team of health professionals to present and discuss the role of health workers in reducing the likelihood of nuclear war. I was asked by the US delegate to the WFPHA to give a NZ and Pacific lens to this discussion.

Dr Nicole Coupe joins Dr Heather Came-Friar to become PHA's acting Co-Presidents

At their first face-to-face council meeting recently PHA's new-look Executive Council developed interim leadership arrangements until the next AGM. Dr Nicole Coupe will join Dr Heather Came-Friar as acting co-Presidents. This decision reflects a commitment by the Council to engage with Te Tiriti o Waitangi at all levels of the organisation – from governance and staff to our membership. In the coming months we are planning a Tiriti audit, training opportunities and kōrero as we devise and envisage what a more Tiriti-focussed PHA might look like. More information will follow in the New Year.

Dr Nicole Coupe is from Te Tai Tokerau with whakapapa to Kāi Tahu, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Toa, Rangitāne and Raukawa iwi. Nicole has developed innovative research techniques to support Māori suicide prevention. Her research findings have been implemented across a number of DHBs to support cultural assessment of people who present to emergency departments through pōwhiri-based processes and problem solving therapy. This work has contributed to her leadership and management roles in community and in the primary and secondary mental health sector. Nicole is CEO of Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust. She has a long association with the PHA as a member and is currently Treasurer of the PHA. Nicole is also a founding member of the PHA's Special Interest Group STIR: Stop Institutional Racism.

Canterbury District Health Board is looking for A Team Leader Community & Public Health

- Full time permanent role based in our Greymouth Office.

- Ideally you will have experience in leading teams in the Community & Public Health space.

- Passion for Public Health, Excellent communication & relationship building skills.

Our Purpose: Why we do it

When you work with the Canterbury District Health Board, you’re part of something very special. We plan, fund and deliver health services to the almost 600,000 New Zealanders that live in the Canterbury region. Our primary goal is to put people at the heart of everything we do.

The Team: What we do 

Our team are responsible for providing community & public health services across Canterbury and the West Coast. This role specifically is based in our Greymouth Office and working with our West Coast DHB team to enable well being and equity of outcomes for everyone on the West Coast. This role will be responsible for staff across the West Coast.  

The Role: Where you fit it

Your days will be filled with:

• Leading our team of Health Promoters & Heath protection Officers and supporting them in their day to day activities.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with external organisation’s  
• You will be supported by our leadership who will provide guidance and oversight for staff and projects.

We are looking for someone with the following traits. 

• Ability to manage diverse tasks & deliver in tight timeframes
• High attention to detail and outstanding interpersonal skills
• A knowledge and understanding of the West Coast community would be an advantage.

Our Culture:What matters to us

Ko ngā tāngata, te mātua mahi

Putting people at the heart of all we do 

 Health is ultimately all about people. What’s important around here is the way we care for and respect others, the responsibility taken for delivering outcomes, and going about our work with integrity. 

Belonging Here: Becoming part of our story 

Being part of the Canterbury District Health Board, you will enjoy a fantastic benefits scheme, the opportunity for flexible working arrangements and ongoing focus on your career development.

 The Canterbury DHB believes that diversity and inclusion is key to ensure we deliver the best care for our diverse population. The Canterbury DHB is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer that welcomes and respects everyone.  

If this role has sparked your interest but does not match your skills then please visit our careers website and have a look at our roles that better suit your expertise.

 

Apply online, or to find out more information, please contact Simon Liddy 

Email: simon.liddy@cdhb.health.nz 

Closing date: 24 November 2019

Obituary for Dr Fran McGrath

Iti rearea, teitei Kahikatea ka taea

As the smallest bellbird can reach the highest kahikatea tree in the forest

age does not limit our success

We were saddened and shocked to learn yesterday of the sudden death of our new President Fran McGrath on Sunday. Fran had only just begun her term last week, and Wellington Branch were looking forward to celebrating with her at their AGM last night the success of the branch’s remit at the national AGM, to grant Fran a Lifetime Membership to the PHA.

Fran was certainly worthy of such a remit. She had a long and distinguished career in our health sector. She completed a medical degree at Otago University in Dunedin, followed by volunteer positions in rural and low income communities, which lead her to specialise in public health at the University of Otago Wellington. The wide range of experiences in Fran’s career is worth noting; she worked across many areas of the New Zealand health sector as well as in developing countries, including Central America and Thailand and spent a year working in the Cook Islands. She served on several World Health Organization expert groups and represented New Zealand at a number of meetings of the World Health Assembly. After many years working at the Ministry of Health Fran had only recently retired as Chief Advisor in the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. She also served as Deputy Director of Public Health and as senior health advisor to a number of Health Ministers over the years.

In addition to these demanding paid roles, Fran never stopped contributing to the sector in a voluntary capacity. She was on the Oxfam NZ Board and also very involved in the NZ College of Public Health Medicine, where she served on the College’s Council and held the position of Chief Examiner for many years. At the time of her death, she was a current member of the College Policy Committee and was actively engaged in the College’s policy and advocacy work.

Perhaps for us, though, Fran will be remembered as a stalwart of the Public Health Association, actively involved with us for thirty years. She served two terms as a member of our Executive Council and two terms as President. She worked with Council and the Māori Caucus to create the PHA’s first Māori governance roles. She was an active branch member of both Canterbury/West Coast branch when she resided there, and then Wellington branch. At this local level she stepped into leadership as treasurer, as conference convenor or as chair, whatever and whenever the branch called on her. As chair she led Wellington branch in establishing the first Post-Budget Breakfast, which has become an annual and popular feature of the public health calendar in Wellington, and led to a valuable stakeholder partnership between the PHA and the Child Poverty Action Group. It was for all these contributions and the way she advised and supported so many members personally, that we voted for Wellington Branch’s remit this year, to grant Fran her lifetime membership.

We celebrate her commitment, loyalty and generosity of spirit to public health matters and to our organisation.

We extend our condolences to Fran’s husband Edwin and family.

New Pou Kaiārahi role with Hui E!

Nau mai, haere mai

We are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated leader who is passionate about strengthening the collective voice of the sector and assist ing communities to work collectively to progress their aspirations and well-being.

The Pou Kaiārahi is a key leadership role, they will bring leaders together and facilitate greater engagement within the sector, optimise the supporter’s network to identify and activate opportunities for development and enable and empower communities. They will influence key stakeholders (including government) and create opportunities to build sector capacity and capabilities.

If you believe you have the leadership and management capabilities to lead Hui E! into the future, then we welcome your application.

The full job description is available at: http://www.huie.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/Pou-Kaiarahi-JD-Oct-2019.pdf

Applications close 10 November 2019.

For further information please contact:

Pania Coote,
Hui E! Co-Chair
Email:  chair@huie.org.nz