President’s Blog

Your voice then and now

23 April 2025
1.67 Min Read
By NZSAwebadmin
Your voice then and nowMain Image

A guest blog from NZSA Vice President, Dr Jonathan Panckhurst

Kia ora koutou and welcome to the second E-ZINE of 2025! I’m excited to step in for Dr Morgan Edwards as we approach the NZSA Presidency handover at the NZ ASM in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) this November. For those unfamiliar with me, I’m an anaesthetist based in Nelson and have served with the NZSA Executive Committee for six years, previously overseeing the education portfolio.

I joined the Executive to amplify regional voices, but my experience has shown me the importance of a unified voice for anaesthesia across New Zealand. My time on the Executive has highlighted how our profession often faces challenges from healthcare governance and resource allocation. Furthermore, the complexity of anaesthesia is frequently overlooked or misunderstood by those outside the hospital setting, underscoring the need for effective advocacy.

The New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists (NZSA), established in 1948, has continually addressed key issues through the decades:

  • Workforce Pipelines: From tackling shortages in the 1950s to supporting training pathways today.
  • Role of the Assistant: Advocating for the implementation and recognition of this role, including recent discussions with the Medical Sciences Council about new scope of practice changes.
  • Safety and Quality: Pushing for improved monitoring standards, contributing to the Crimes Act discussions in the ’80s and ’90s, and providing feedback on ANZCA Standards relevant to New Zealand.
  • Private Practice: Negotiating pay in the early days, advocating for ACC recognition, and refining payment structures, including ongoing collaboration with ACC and Southern Cross.

While the NZSA has broadened its resources and advocacy efforts, recurring themes persist. As we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, we face new potential challenges such as non-physician care, resource allocation pressures, evolving CME requirements and financial constraints in private practice.

Since 1948, the NZSA has remained true to its mission: ‘to advance the art of anaesthesia.’ Collective participation is more critical than ever, and I eagerly anticipate advancing the art of anaesthesia with my fellow New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists colleagues.

Ngā mihi,
Dr Jonathan Panckhurst