ANZCA and FPM in the news

ANZCA and FPM media coverage

Highlights since the Winter ANZCA Bulletin include:

“Use of epidural kits limited as global shortage hits Australian hospitals”

(THE AGE AND SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 24 JULY AND ABC RADIO) ANZCA’s Safety and Quality Committee Chair Associate Professor Joanna Sutherland was interviewed on ABC Radio Melbourne’s morning program on 25 July about the global epidural kit shortage and its impact on Australian hospitals. Audio “grabs” of the interview also featured in ABC radio morning news bulletins. The interview followed comments by A/Prof Sutherland in an article published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald in print and online about the shortage. A/Prof Sutherland was also interviewed on ABC Radio Hobart on 9 August. In New Zealand, fellow Dr Matt Drake was interviewed by stuff.co.nz. The combined media coverage in Australia and New Zealand reached more than a million people.

“ICU patients sent straight home as ‘exit block’ reveals hospital strain”

(THE AGE, 24 JULY)

FANZCA Associate Professor Craig French, director of Intensive Care at Western Health in Melbourne was interviewed for an article in The Age on 24 July about the pressures on the health system and how it affects ICU patients. He confirmed there had been instances at the Footscray and Sunshine hospitals in recent weeks where patients who no longer needed intensive care had been kept in the unit until they were ready to be discharged home.

“Hospital apologises after Wellington mum with endometriosis called ‘drug seeker’, sent home by ED doctor during pain flare-up”

(NEWSHUB, 29 AUGUST)

NZ fellow Dr Karen Joseph was interviewed for a Newshub article on 29 August about endometriosis. Dr Joseph, a member of the FPM New Zealand National Committee runs a pelvic pain clinic in Christchurch. She told Newshub there is an immense unmet need in New Zealand for specialist help for people living with persistent pelvic pain.

“Anaesthesia and surgery after COVID”

(ABC RADIO HOBART, 28 JUNE)

The director of anaesthesia at Royal Hobart Hospital Dr Ruth Matters was interviewed on ABC Radio Hobart’s breakfast program on 28 June. In a six-minute segment Dr Matters explained why elective surgery is postponed after a COVID-19 diagnosis because of complications that may arise.

A comprehensive media digest can be found in each edition of the monthly ANZCA E-Newsletter and on the college website.