New Zealand News
World Continence Week
This World Continence Week 20–26 June 2022 we are once again inviting people to have a ‘wee chat’, this year focusing on tamariki (children) and teenagers. We are reaching out to parents, schools, community and health groups to let them know support is available for children and teenagers, no matter their age or situation. As continence issues take a toll on the child or teenager and their wider whanau (family), and exacerbated by the pandemic, we are encouraging people to reach out for help.
We will be releasing new video resources, social media content, and a handy resource guide in early June and look forward to sharing the full campaign with you.
Education and events
Auckland Unlimited (a division of Auckland Council) has agreed to partner with us to host a 2-day conference in Auckland within the next 2 years. While we plan for this larger event, we will also host an education day for health professionals within the next 12 months and will provide an update on specifics in the next journal news.
We understand that pre-COVID‑19, our annual education days used to provide a valuable opportunity for professional development and networking. Thank you to our members for your patience as we have had to work in different ways to provide education during the pandemic. While we work on the finer details of these events, we have online education courses available in our member portal, and via our website.
We are also working on a webinar series and have appointed an Education Manager who will assist with the rollout of these once they start in their role in early June. Our continence nurses Louise and Lisa also continue to provide community education online and will be hosting education in local communities again in the very near future.
New team members
We are very fortunate that obstetrician and gynaecologist John Short has accepted the invitation to join our Executive Committee as an executive appointed committee member. John’s expertise covers the spectrum of women’s health conditions including fertility investigation, menstrual disorders, pelvic pain and colposcopy. He particularly specialises in the management of urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse (including complex and recurrent conditions) and endometriosis.
John also has established interests in service improvement and medical education. He is an active member of the Canterbury Initiative and Health Pathways teams and is lead gynaecologist for safety and quality at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. John has received additional training in gynaecological ultrasound and has a particular interest in ultrasound assessment of the pelvic floor and vaginal prolapse.
Professional profile:
- Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG).
- Member of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
- Training Supervisor at RANZCOG.
- Past chairman of the Urogynaecology Society of Australasia.
- Expert Advisor to the New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner.
- Expert Advisor to ACC.
Toni Horan is also joining our team in June, on an initial 6-month contract as our education manager (part-time). Toni’s qualifications and experience are ideally suited to this role which will focus on developing resources and education. With a Master of Science degree in psychology from the University of Auckland, and a Bachelor of Science cum Laude in psychology from the University of Florida, Toni has spent the last decade in behaviour support and leadership roles.
We are delighted to have John and Toni as members of the team and are excited about the contribution they will make to our organisation.
CEO recruitment
As we are all aware, the pandemic has increased challenges for anyone caring for vulnerable loved ones. My family is no exception, and I will be stepping down from my role to allow more time to care for my family members with complex health needs which have increased due to the impact of COVID‑19.
As I remain passionate about our work, I am very grateful that our Executive Committee have created a smaller position so that I can remain working with the Continence NZ team. Once a new CEO has been recruited, I will be working part-time as funding and planning manager, with a focus on developing and funding projects.
The 5 years I have spent in this role have been a privilege, and I would like to sincerely thank our Executive Committee, the Continence NZ team, and our members for their support over this time. I would also like to thank Rowan Cockerell, Jacinta Miller and Jenny Kruger, for their support.
Continence NZ is in a strong position and has clear plans in place for continued growth, and I look forward to supporting the new CEO as they lead the organisation into the future. We are in the recruitment process and will announce the new CEO as soon as possible.
With sincere thanks,
Louise Judd
CEO, Continence NZ
Author(s)
Louise Judd
CEO, Continence NZ
