MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD. Annual Report

Transcription

1 Annual Report 1 APRIL MARCH 2009

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 Hon Tony Ryall Minister of Health Parliament Buildings Wellington Dear Mr Ryall In accordance with the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, I enclose the report of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board for the twelve months ending March Yours sincerely Raewyn Curin Chairperson TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Chairperson s Report 3 Board Members 2008/ Continuing Competence Committee 4 Education Committee 5 Registration Examination Assessment (REA) Committee 5 Finance and Administration 7 Liaison 7 Discipline and Complaints 7 Registration and Annual Practising Certificates 9 Financial Statements 16 Board Committees 2008/ Contacting the Board

3 Chairperson s Report The Board completed a successful year with several major projects identified and completed. The projects included a staffing survey of MRI following concerns raised by some district health boards regarding staffing difficulties. The survey concluded that concerns raised appeared to be workplace issues rather than national problems affecting the health and safety of the NZ public. Survey results showed that there is minimal difficulty in recruiting trainees in MRI. The CPIT undergraduate programme was monitored during 2008 under the new monitoring review structure which includes surveying Radiology departments as to the competency of their newly employed graduates of the New Zealand programmes. The Board is satisfied that the monitoring process is robust and sustainable. The Board has continued to work on procedures and policies that cover the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003). Board representatives attended workshops held by the Ministry of Health to review the legislation. The review is due for completion in early The chair of the MRTB has regularly attended meetings with the joint Australian Registration Boards and a joint New Zealand/Australian organisation has now been formed which will allow closer relationships to be maintained as the Australians move to national registration. The Board held its third audit of practitioner s competency in October 2008 and involved members of the profession in the audit. The Board has seen a marked increase in practitioners complying with the Boards requirements in this area. A decision was made following the audit to exempt practitioners holding training scope of practice from the continuing professional education part of the audit for a two year period. Mary Doyle has been appointed Registrar/CEO of the Medical Radiation Technologist Board following the resignation of Phil Saxby. Mary holds this position for the Medical Laboratory Scientist Board and the Medical Radiation Technologist Board and is supported in this role by two Registration Managers, a Financial Administrator and an Executive Administrator. The Board received the resignation of Georgina Parata, lay member in February Georgina had made a valuable contribution to the Board during her three year term. Her skills as a policy analyst were particularly useful. I would like to thank all the Board members, along with the staff of MSS for the work they have done over the past year. I continue to be very appreciative of the extra hours that Board members spend undertaking Board and committee work on top of your professional roles. Raewyn Curin Chairperson 2

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 Board Members 2008/2009 Barbara Holland Raewyn Curin (Chair) Marie-Therese Borland George Coalter Jennifer de Ridder Paula Jones (Deputy Chair) Julia Metcalfe Shelley Park Georgina Parata Meeting Attendance West Coast Auckland Hamilton Hamilton Wellington Hawkes Bay Auckland Auckland Auckland Jun Sep Dec Mar Board member Barbara Holland Y Y Y Y Raewyn Curin Y Y Y Y Marie-Therese Borland Y Y Y Y George Coalter Y Y Jennifer de Ridder Y Y Y Y Paula Jones Y Y Y Y Julia Metcalfe Y Y Y Y Shelley Park Y Y Y Georgina Parata Y Y Y Fees The fees paid to Board members for meeting attendance are: Fee (Per Day) Position $ Chairperson 600 Deputy Chairperson 550 Continuing Competence Committee Over the past year the Continuing Competency Committee has further developed and enhanced the criteria and processes related to on-going competency and fitness to practise for Medical Radiation Technologists and Radiation Therapy practitioners, under the HPCA legislation. The Board has approved a number of continuing professional development (CPD) programmes that practitioners can enrol in to achieve their continuing competency and annual practising certificate (APC) requirements: American Society of Radiation Technologists (ASRT) Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists (ANZSNMT) Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) Australian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Christchurch Radiology Group (CRG) New Zealand Institute of Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) On 9th October 2008, the Board held its annual audit to assess practitioner competence and fitness to practise, a significant function under the Health Practitioner Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act The audit team consisted of Board members and industry representatives to ensure sufficient coverage of all scopes of practice was achieved, plus representatives from three of the Board approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes (ANZSNMT, NZIMRT and ASUM). Of the 210 audits undertaken, 170 met the required standards at the time of audit. Practitioners who did not meet the standard had until the following APC renewal round to remedy outstanding issues in order to have their APC issued. Member 400 3

5 This committee continues to work closely with the industry, professional bodies, and practitioners themselves to ensure sound and robust processes are developed and maintained in order to meet obligations under the legislation. Paula Jones Continuing Competence Committee Convener Education Committee Following the completion of a major review of the Board s monitoring processes of New Zealand education providers in March 2008, Board representatives met with each of these institutions to clarify the new monitoring process and the associated changes. Discussion points from the annual tripartite meeting held in August 2008 with representatives from the Board, NZ Institute of Medical Radiation Technology and all four NZ education providers in attendance, included positive feedback on the revised monitoring process with all education providers reporting satisfaction and a good understanding of the new process. One of the significant changes in the monitoring process was a shift from Board representatives undertaking a proportion of the final clinical assessments for the education provider s graduating class, to observing the clinical assessment process that the education providers carry out themselves. In order to better understand this change in focus a training workshop was held in October Board members and industry representatives selected by the Board to participate in the first monitoring observation of clinical assessments, attended the workshop. Isolated anecdotal concern from the industry prompted a national survey by the Board on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staffing levels in August The results from the survey indicated workplace issues rather than national problems affecting the health and safety of the New Zealand public. While no immediate areas of concern were identified, these results will be considered during any future review of scopes of practice. A review of the Board s process for assessment of overseas qualifications was begun in 2008 and is currently ongoing. In 2008 Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology s undergraduate diagnostic medical imaging programme was monitored for the first time under the revised process. The final part of this process, the on-site visit, is to be completed in August Shelley Park Convener Education Committee Registration Committee During 2008/2009 the Board processed a total of 404 registration applications (including training scopes of practice) of which 53% were from applicants with a New Zealand qualification and the remaining 47% from overseas applicants. 3.7% of applications were declined due to not meeting minimum registration requirements. Forty nine applicants (12%) were offered an opportunity to sit a registration examination assessment as an alternative path to gaining registration. All 137 overseas applications, which are often rather complex, were referred to the Registration Committee while New Zealand registration applications were delegated to the Registrar. A preliminary review of the Board s registration processes was undertaken in 2008/2009 and a number of potential quality improvements were identified. It was decided to undertake a more indepth review and this rolled into the 2009/10 year. Raewyn Curin Convener Registration Committee 4

6 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 Registration Examination Assessment (REA) Committee MRTB has a significant history of using registration examination assessments as a registration pathway for overseas practitioners who wish to work in New Zealand but whose qualifications are not considered substantially equivalent to New Zealand degree programmes for medical imaging and radiation therapy. More recently the board has implemented this same process for return to work practitioners. Over the past twelve months the number of offers for MRTB registration examination assessments to overseas practitioners has increased by 60%. This increase was reflected in overseas applicants seeking registration in the scope of diagnostic general with the majority of these assessments taking place in main centres The main focus for the registration examination assessment (REA) committee in the last year has been to increase the number of medical radiation technology practitioners trained to undertake assessments on the board s behalf. The board formalised its criteria for selecting assessors and called for nominations from the profession, for medical radiation technologists (MRTS) who were considered by their peers and managers to meet the criteria. The outcome of this process was seven additional assessors for the scope of practice of diagnostic imaging general. This represented a good geographic spread to support the demand from regions recruiting the greatest number of MRTS in this scope. All new assessors attended an orientation day followed by a training workshop with experienced assessors in May. It is a Board requirement for all assessors to attend one such workshop every two years. The committee has refined all documentation and information associated with REAs to ensure consistency of information for all parties involved in the process. The committee has also compiled a handbook for assessors to ensure all processes are robust. MRTB considers that the option of a registration examination assessment remains a robust pathway to ensure both overseas practitioners and return to work practitioners are safe to practise in New Zealand The board wishes to acknowledge the goodwill and professionalism of all assessors involved in these registration examinations. Marie-Therese Borland Convener Registration Examination Assessment Committee Finance and Administration In 2006 the Board joined together with the Medical Laboratory Science Board to form a registered not-for-profit company, Medical Sciences Secretariat (MSS), through which all business support services are provided to the Boards. While each Board is a separate registration authority charged with administering the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 in respect of their relevant professions, they have developed a collaborative framework within which they deliver their legislative responsibilities. A cornerstone of the establishment of the Secretariat was a commitment to building synergies between the two Boards in respect of their governance and operational activities. Managing the operations of the Boards within a cost-effective framework was a primary consideration when looking to establish the most appropriate organisational structure. MSS is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of two representatives from each of the Boards. During 2008/2009 the Medical Radiation Technologists Board representatives appointed as Directors of the MSS Board were Raewyn Curin and Jennifer de Ridder. In January 2009 the Registrar/Policy Analyst position became vacant due to a resignation and it was decided to amalgamate the Chief Executive 5

7 and Registrar role into one position. This effectively reduced the total staff numbers from six to five and this has opened up opportunities for staff within the current structure to take on developmental projects thereby better utilising the considerable knowledge and skills many of these staff have. This has resulted in the following organisational structure: MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE BOARD (10 members) MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD (10 members) MEDICAL SCIENCES SECRETARIAT 2 Directors (MLSB) 2 Directors (MRTB) CHIEF EXECUTIVE/REGISTRAR REGISTRATION MEMBERS (2) EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR The focus for the Secretariat over the twelve month period from April 2008 to March 2009 has been to consolidate the work of the staff team to provide business support services equally across the two Boards. The current structure is coming together very well and a number of initiatives have been achieved to better streamline operational processes between the two Boards which is having a positive effect on cost containment while still maintaining a high level of quality in the delivery of services. During 2008/2009 the Board formulated its first three-year Strategic Directions plan which provided the framework for its 2008/2009 annual business plan. Together with the staff of Medical Sciences Secretariat, Board members worked towards achieving the Board prioritised business objectives throughout the year. A number of initiatives were managed in collaboration with the Medical Laboratory Science Board including: The Boards worked together to provide a joint submission in regards to the review of the HPCA Act. The submission incorporated areas/issues of common concern as well those specific to each of the Boards. A review of travel and accommodation arrangements was undertaken to explore opportunities for cost containment. The results of the review showed that there had in fact been a decrease in travel and accommodation costs for both Boards between the 06/07 and 07/08 financial years. A significant outcome of the review was the development of joint Board policy on Sensitive Expenditure. An exploration of the potential development of an online system for the management of the renewal of annual practising certificates was undertaken as a joint-board initiative. The significant cost factor involved was a core consideration in the Boards joint decision to not proceed with the development of a customised system at this point in time. However the Boards continue to explore other alternatives that would be more financially affordable. As a component of its risk management strategy the Board introduced a legislative compliance evaluation framework and undertook its first evaluation using this tool in 2008/2009. Overall the results were positive with only a few areas requiring relatively minor attention. 6

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 Liaison The Board has continued its participation in the activities of the Health Regulatory Authorities of New Zealand (HRANZ) group during 2008/2009. Discipline and Complaints No disciplinary hearings were conducted over the twelve months ending 31 March 2008, nor were any complaints referred to the Health and Disability Commissioner. Registration and Annual Practicing Certificates New Registrations 1 April March 2009 (Note: does not include applications for training scopes of practice) Country of Origin APPROVED DECLINED OFFERED REA DIG MRI RT NM US DIG MRI RT NM US DIG MRI RT NM US Australia Canada Denmark 1 Fiji 9 1 Germany 1 India Iraq 1 Ireland 2 2 Israel 1 Korea 1 Netherlands 1 New Zealand Nigeria 1 Pakistan 1 Philippines Portugal 1 Singapore 1 1 South Africa Sweden 1 United Kingdom USA Zimbabwe 4 5 TOTAL Key: DIG: Diagnostic Imaging General MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging RT: Radiation Therapy NM: Nuclear Medicine US: Ultrasound 7

9 Registration in a Training Scope of Practice: 1 April March 2009 Country of Origin MRI Nuclear Medicine Ultrasound Australia 3 Fiji 2 India 1 New Zealand South Africa 2 United Kingdom 4 1 Total Annual Practicing Certificates Issued From 1 April March 2009 Scope of Practice Number of Certificates Issued Diagnostic Imaging General 1,546 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 77 Radiation Therapy 281 Nuclear Medicine 50 Ultrasound 310 Training Magnetic Resonance Imaging 106 Training Nuclear Medicine 6 Training Ultrasound 66 Total 2,442 8

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 PKF Martin Jarvie Chartered Accountants AUDIT REPORT TO THE READERS OF MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2009 The Auditor-General is the auditor of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRT Board). The Auditor- General has appointed me, Paolo Ryan, using the staff and resources of PKF Martin Jarvie, to carry out the audit of the financial statements of the Board, for the year ended 31 March Unqualified Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements of the MRT Board on pages 11 to 15: comply with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand; and fairly reflect: the MRT Board s financial position as at 31 March 2009; and the results of its operations for the year ended on that date. The audit was completed on 31 May 2010, and this is the date at which our opinion is expressed. The basis of our opinion is explained below. In addition, we outline the responsibilities of the Members of the Board and the Auditor, and explain our independence. Basis of Opinion We carried out the audit in accordance with the Auditor-General s Auditing Standards, which incorporate the New Zealand Auditing Standards. We planned and performed the audit to obtain all the information and explanations we considered necessary in order to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements did not have material misstatements, whether caused by fraud or error. Material misstatements are differences or omissions of amounts and disclosures that would affect a reader s overall understanding of the financial statements. If we had found material misstatements that were not corrected, we would have referred to them in our opinion. The audit involved performing procedures to test the information presented in the financial statements. We assessed the results of those procedures in forming our opinion. Audit procedures generally include: determining whether significant financial and management controls are working and can be relied on to produce complete and accurate data; verifying samples of transactions and account balances; performing analyses to identify anomalies in the reported data; reviewing significant estimates and judgements made by the Board; 3rd Floor I 85 The Terrace I PO Box 1208 I Wellington 6140 Phone I Fax info@pkfmj.co.nz I PKF Martin Jarvie is an independent member of PKF International 9

11 confirming year-end balances; determining whether accounting policies are appropriate and consistently applied; and determining whether all financial statement disclosures are adequate. We did not examine every transaction, nor do we guarantee complete accuracy of the financial statements. We evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements. We obtained all the information and explanations we required to support our opinion above. Responsibilities of the Members of the Board and the Auditor The Members of the Board are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand. The financial statements must fairly reflect the financial position of the MRT Board as at 31 March 2009 and the results of its operations for the year ended on that date. The Members of the Board s responsibilities arise from the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act We are responsible for expressing an independent opinion on the financial statements and reporting that opinion to you. This responsibility arises from section 15 of the Public Audit Act 2001 and section 134(1) of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act Independence When carrying out the audit we followed the independence requirements of the Auditor-General, which incorporate the independence requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. Other than the audit, we have no relationship with or interests in the MRT Board. Paolo Ryan PKF Martin Jarvie On behalf of the Auditor-General Wellington, New Zealand Matters Relating to the Electronic Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements This audit report relates to the financial statements of the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRT Board) for the year ended 31 March 2009 included on the MRT Board s website. The MRT Board is responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the MRT Board s website. We have not been engaged to report on the integrity of the MRT Board s website. We accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially presented on the website. The audit report refers only to the financial statements named above. It does not provide an opinion on any other information which may have been hyperlinked to or from the financial statements. If readers of this report are concerned with the inherent risks arising from electronic data communication they should refer to the published hard copy of the audited financial statements as well as the related audit report dated 31 May 2010 to confirm the information included in the audited financial statements presented on this website. Legislation in New Zealand governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 10

12 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Statement of Financial Performance For the Year ended 31 March Note $ $ $ Income Registration Fees Non NZ 49,138 40,800 Registration Fees NZ 47,987 34,160 APC s 506, ,611 Examination Fees 55,022 29,838 Interest Received 46,026 33,003 Sundry Income 11,982 28,513 Total Income 716, ,925 Less Expenses Audit Fees 6,793 3,600 Archiving 744 1,034 Bank Charges 11,740 2,471 Board Member Fees & Expenses 103, ,831 Catering 1,822 1,479 Chartered Accountancy Fees 1,224 1,572 Conference Expenses 2,622 3,007 Examiners Fees 25,984 9,050 General Expenses 1,245 Hire Of Plant & Equipment 115 Insurance 442 IT 1, Interest IRD 121 Legal Expenses 2,844 HDPT 620 Penalties 442 Postage 8,711 5,367 Printing, Stamps & Stationery 8,574 14,595 Professional Fees 244 Repairs & Maintenance 1,225 MSS Service Charges 316, ,144 Travel National 84,451 63,794 Total Expenses 575, ,469 Net Surplus/(Deficit) For The Year 141, ,456 The attached NOTES form part of these Financial Statements. 11

13 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Statement of Movements in Equity For the Year ended 31 March Note $ $ $ Opening Equity 378, ,935 Net Profit (Loss) 141, ,456 Total Recognised Revenues & Expenses 141, ,456 Equity at End of the Year 519, ,391 The attached NOTES form part of these Financial Statements. 12

14 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 MEDICAL RADIATION TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD Statement of Financial Performance For the Year ended 31 March Note $ $ $ Equity Retained Earnings 4 519, ,391 Total Equity 519, ,391 Represented by; Current Assets Westpac Bank Government Trading 656, ,691 Westpac Bank Cash Management 8,582 8,582 Account Accounts Receivable 1,079 Accrued Income 6,427 2,705 Westpac Bank Term Deposits 423, ,224 Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited 8,334 31,792 Total Current Assets 1,104, ,994 Non-Current Assets Investments in MSS Total Assets 1,104, ,044 Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 14,051 11,776 GST Due for Payment 60,832 49,349 Medical Laboratory Sciences Board 37,816 37,816 Income in Advance 471, ,712 Total Current Liabilities 584, ,653 Net Assets/ (Liabilities) 519, ,391 For and on behalf of the Board; Chairperson: Date: 31 May 2010 Registrar: Date: 31 May 2010 The attached NOTES form part of these Financial Statements. 13

15 Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March Statement of Accounting Policies Reporting Entity The Board is constituted under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Act General Accounting Policies These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in New Zealand and on the basis of historical cost. Reliance is placed on the fact that the business is a going concern. Specific Accounting Policies The following specific accounting policies which materially affect the measurement of financial performance and financial position have been applied: Income Tax: The Board has been granted Charitable Status under the Charities Act 2005 and is exempt from Income Tax. Investments: Investments are valued at cost. Investment Income is recognised on an accrual basis where appropriate. Goods and Services Tax: The financial statements have been prepared on an exclusive basis with the exception of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable which include GST. Annual Practising Certificate Income: Annual Practising Certificate Income is recorded only upon receipt. No Accounts Receivable are recognized and receipts for Annual Practicing Certificates issued for the future years are shown as Income Received in Advance. Differential Reporting: The entity qualifies for differential reporting as it is not publicly accountable and is not large. The entity has taken advantage of all applicable differential reporting exemptions. Changes in Accounting Policies All accounting policies are unchanged and have been consistently applied. 2. Related Parties In accordance with SSAP 22 para 5.1(a) and para 5.1(b), the following disclosures are made: During the year Medical Radiation Technologists Board purchased secretariat services on normal trading terms from Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited. Members of the Board of Medical Radiation Technologists Board are directors of Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited. Medical Radiation Technologists Board owns 50% of the share capital of Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited. 14

16 ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 March 2009 In the year to 31 March 2007, Medical Laboratory Science Board incurred expenses on behalf of Medical Radiation Technologists Board. These amounts are payable to Medical Laboratory Science Board. Medical Laboratory Science Board owns 50% of the share capital of Medical Science Secretariat Limited. 3. Financial Management Agreement Medical Sciences Secretariat Limited (MSS) has been established to provide business management support to the Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRT) and the Medical laboratory Science Board (MLS). Medical Sciences Secretariat Ltd will provide financial management support to both the Medical Radiation Technologists Board and the Medical Laboratory Board according to a number of conditions: 1. MSS undertakes not to make a profit from its business partnership with MRT and MLS. 2. Each board will be invoiced monthly for an amount equivalent to the expenses incurred by MSS. 3. GST is charged on these expenses including those that did not originally include GST (e.g. wages). 4. MSS will return GST refunds as a split to each board. 5. All MSS expenses will be evenly split and paid between MRT and MLS. 6. At the end of each month and the financial year, MSS will show a nil financial balance on all its operations. 4. Equity The following movements in Revenue Reserves have occurred: Retained Earnings $ $ Opening Balance 378, ,935 Net Income Earned This Year 141, ,456 Closing Balance 519, , Commitments There are no capital or other commitments at balance date (2008: $nil). 5. Contingent Liabilities There are no contingent liabilities at balance date (2008: $nil). 15

17 Board Committees 2008/2009 Administration/Finance Committee Convener: Raewyn Curin Jennifer de Ridder Mary Doyle Continuing Competence Committee Convener: Paula Jones Raewyn Curin Shelley Park Barbara Holland Education Committee Convener: Shelley Park Jennifer de Ridder (University of Otago) George Coalter (Universal College of Learning) Raewyn Curin (UNITEC) Julia Metcalfe (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology) Health Committee Convener: Barbara Holland Georgina Parata IT Committee Convener: Jennifer de Ridder George Coalter Registration Committee Convener: Raewyn Curin Paula Jones (Diagnostic General) Shelley Park (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Jennifer de Ridder (Radiation Therapy) Julia Metcalfe (Ultrasound) Contacting the Board Contact with the Board is through its office at: Level 1 Capiche House 111 Dixon St Wellington Tel: Registrar: extension 2 Registration Manager: extension 3 Registration Examination Assessment Committee Convener: Marie-Therese Borland Julia Metcalfe Post all correspondence to: The Registrar Medical Radiation Technologists Board P O Box Wellington 6142 Fax: (04) mrt@medsci.co.nz Website: 16