EOI for volunteer locum during the PSA meeting 2026

Expressions of interest to provide volunteer locum cover during the 2026 PSA Meeting have now closed. All who expressed an interest have been contacted about placements.

The Pacific Society of Anaesthetists (PSA) holds an annual meeting in the Pacific for anaesthetists from across the region (including Australia and NZ) to attend. Working as a locum during the meeting allows our Pacific-based colleagues and trainees to attend the meeting. This is often their only opportunity to attend a conference and a great chance to network with fellow Pacific colleagues.

This activity is coordinated by the NZSA’s Global Health Committee. Locums are provided based on requests from each country, which will likely be confirmed in 2026. We are expecting requests for locums in Lautoka, Labasa and Suva in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Niue, Cook Islands, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

This is a great and safe opportunity for the enthusiastic volunteer to try something new while being supported by colleagues in a resource-limited setting. Ideal for those who want to face a new challenge and step outside of their comfort zone a little while making wonderful memories.

The PSA meeting will be held 31 August – 4 September 2026. You will be well supported by experienced teams from New Zealand and Australia working within your scope of practice and responsibilities. Extra time may be required for those travelling to Vanuatu, Kiribati, Niue, and Tuvalu. You will need to be available from midday on Saturday 29th August to around 5pm on Saturday 5th.

You will be expected to cover theatre work and participate in an on call roster. In some instances, an ICU may also need to be covered and by completing this form we are also asking if this is something you are comfortable doing.

We the Global Health Committee (GHC) of the NZSA have a large alumni of previous locums and will provide support for you by:

• Organising your locum team to balance skill sets. The GHC try to create teams to include people with paediatric anaesthesia experience and LMIC experience so there is plenty of local knowledge and support within the team.
• Providing orientation guides for the hospitals where possible.
• Providing a Certificate of participation for CME reimbursement and ANZCA CPD.

Providing locum cover in the Pacific is a recognised CPD activity under the knowledge and skills section of the ANZCA CPD programme.
Knowledge and Skills: Global Development. The broadening of your knowledge and skills via contribution to work and teaching in low- and middle-income countries for example Anaesthesia global development work. Evidence: Correspondence confirming participation in overseas aid commitment.

If you would like to help in 2026, please fill in the form below. Once locum requests are confirmed, we will be in touch with all expressions of interest to confirm availability.

If you have any other questions, please email GHC members Dr Beth Hall and Dr James Dalby-Ball via the NZSA at nzsa@anaesthesia.nz

The NZSA and PSA thank you for considering providing anaesthesia services in the Pacific during the 2026 PSA meeting.