Fertility Nurses of Australasia Volume 20, Issue 2 Inside This Issue Chairperson Report RTAC Report FSA Board Report Around the States & Territories News Upcoming Events Future Meetings FSA Auckland Oct 2012 ICA 2013 FSA Sydney 2013 13 16 October 2013 ASPIRE 2014 4 6 April 2014 FSA Canberra 2015 Sponsors "#$%&'(&))*+,-.*'-*,-/*,$%#0, 1#'#,*+--+..*,$&'2$%#*..*,$+'0$0#- /*,3456#67#,-$*&$$#'2#2+8&$0*'&) 6##$0'1-9 PLATINUM - MSD GOLD - Merck Serono BRONZE - Orion & Ashmed CHAIRPERSON REPORT FNA continues to provide quality education for its members and other ART workers. The 2012 Midyear Workshop was held in Canberra on May 19 th. Jude McColl and her team of four local nurses convened an outstanding meeting, continuing the high standard set by the very successful workshop held in Melbourne in December 2011, where more than 120 delegates attended and gained 7CPD points for the day s education. The theme for the 2012 Mid Year Workshop was Fertility from Woe to Go. The journey started at the GP s surgery and moved through the IVF clinic personnel and procedures that a patient would encounter. Sonography, Endocrinology, PCOS, Embryology, pregnancy complications and added extras required in IVF treatments were discussed in a lively manner. It was a very educational meeting but also a lot of fun, held in a light and airy venue. Canberra s weather ensured we all made good use of our coats and gloves The FNA midyear workshop again commenced at 7.30am with a working breakfast and guest speaker. We worked through until 4pm, allowing delegates to earn 7CPD points. The committee has worked hard to hold the cost down for FSA/FNA members and I believe this is good value for money in terms of the educational opportunities we offer while encouraging ongoing membership of FSA. FNA State Representative s continue to organise local meetings, providing further education for ART nurses while offering networking opportunities. Over the past three years FNA has endeavoured to become more autonomous, seeking a wider sponsorship group and offering a greater variety of sponsor levels. The $50 co-payment for FNA members has been a responsible and successful step forward. While FNA provides these excellent workshops and continues to plan and convene two National Workshops annually, it must be acknowledged that continuing education is the individual nurse s responsibility. The National Nurses and Midwives Board are currently auditing individual nurses to ensure each nurse attains the required 20 CPD points per certificate per calendar year. FNA Sponsors in 2012 range from Platinum (MSD), Gold (MS), Bronze (Orion and Ashmed), Friends of FNA (Ferring, Rosemary Sayer and Terry Grose) and other sponsors (Cook Medical, Bayer Healthcare) and a new category, Exhibitors (Meditron)
"#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"#( 2(3(: &1#( While conferences and workshops will always have a place, FNA is working towards E-learning opportunities for nurses so they can access education on-line in the comfort of their home. This will benefit part time staff and those who find it difficult to travel for education The planning of the FSA related conference in Auckland in October is well underway. I look forward to working alongside our New Zealand representatives, Renata Stewart and Helen Mudgway to make this a superb event. FNA has also set the date of May 4 th, 2013 for our midyear workshop in Adelaide. SA representatives Robyn Trenouth and Maria Vitucci are enthusiastic about planning the workshop. FSA will be held in Sydney in 2013. Nominations for state representatives are currently being advertised and new members need to be elected by August 2012. I encourage any FNA member to consider taking on this satisfying role. You won t be disappointed. I am working closely with Chair Elect, Jan Mackenzie who will take over the role of FNA Chair at FSA in October. Sue Keogh. FNA Chairperson. FSA BOARD REPORT The first meeting of the year was held in mid April, a little later than its usual February timeslot. The board organised a representative to attend the NSW Parliament donor register enquiry and speak on behalf of our interests. The government is yet to hand down its decision. The RTAC ID sample working party report was tabled and will be distributed as a technical bulletin. The first overseas clinic has been accredited and is in Singapore. The new RTAC Chair has been elected, his name is Keith Harrison and we wish him congratulations. Honorary life memberships to the society were discussed. Future FSA Meetings include: Auckland 2012, Sydney 2013, Hobart 2014, Brisbane 2015. A START course was recently held in March with 75 attendees. The next one is scheduled for December 2012 in Sydney. Research grants were discussed. The e-learning package will be discussed at the 4 th June Face to Face Meeting in Sydney. The Board is looking at reviewing its strategic vision over the next 12 months. Donna Close, FNA Rep to the FSA Board of Directors RTAC REPORT( Report to follow in the next newsletter. AROUND THE STATES AND TERRITORIES WESTERN AUSTRALIA The Mid-Year Face to Face meeting has come and gone, and the quest for a new WA rep is still unsuccessful. We enjoyed a Bayer and Orion sponsored event on the 14 th March 2012 at the University Club. Dr Andrew Criddle spoke on Vitamin D. The talk was interesting and pertinent to our everyday lives, not just for our clients. Plans are already underway for a Merk Serono sponsored evening in early August. A consultant from the Multiple Sclerosis sector will present at the Wembley Hotel. New staff from all clinics attended the START course in March. Sue Keogh was the winner of the Bayer/FNA Sponsorship and will attend the Women s Health Education conference in August. Sue Keogh and Linda Garland
:&1#;44(3(: &1# "#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"# ( Note from the Editor This is my last newsletter as editor, but until a new editor is named, please forward any items to be included in the next edition to lmetliss@ivf.com.au Lauren Metliss
"#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"#( 5(3(: &1#( VICTORIA There is no state report for Victoria this newsletter. Tamara Pearce and Rachael Varady SOUTH AUSTRALIA We started off the year with a very inspiring and informative talk from Dr Michelle Lane who is Director of Embryology at Repromed. The talk was sponsored by Merck Serono and the discussion topic was titled More than meets the eye: Transforming the future of embryo selection. The days of picking an embryo for transfer by looks appear to be long gone. The talk was centred around the nutrient needs of the embryo after egg retrieval and up until 14 18 hours following embryo transfer. Future events are being organised with MSD and Orion kindly offering to sponsor these. All units in South Australia have been fortunate to have lunch meetings on a regular basis sponsored by MSD, Merck Serono and Orion. South Australia will be the venue for the 2013 Mid Year Workshop. We have a number of nurses who have helped prepare conferences in the past and have already put their hands up to help organise this event. We are looking forward to the challenge Robyn Trenouth and Maria Vitucci TASMANIA No report from Tasmania this newsletter. Awaiting placement of a state FNA Rep. QUEENSLAND The end of last year and start of this year has been hectic for QLD. We finished off 2011 with a great turnout for a Christmas themed FNA dinner at the end of December. The speakers were Dr Ben Kroon who updated us with Luteal Phase Support What The Evidence Suggests, and Misty Hatfield (embryologist) who presented updated data on Vitrification A Few Years On. Over 40 nurses attended this function and a fun night was had by all. This meeting was generously supported by Bayer, MSD & Merck Serono. We are continuing the Journal Club into 2012, which has been a great success so far. We have had two journal nights this year and over 10 nurses have attended each session. The papers discussed include: Food intake and social habits in males affecting ICSI outcomes, The use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation and Consensus on women s health aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the Amsterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored 3rd PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. All papers were very interesting and generated great discussion. We plan to continue with journal club and have another two sessions planned in the coming months. These journal nights are generously supported by MSD, Merck Serono and Bayer. Gold Coast based nurses find it difficult to attend these journal clubs so they are organising nights locally to discuss the same papers. Our next FNA Dinner meeting is scheduled for the 14 th June with guest speakers DR Ashish Das and Dr Anusch Yazdani. Further meetings are planned for August and December. We acknowledge our generous sponsors MSD, Merck Serono and Bayer for their ongoing support. Carmel Carrigan and Lou Hayes
:&1#;66(3(: &1# "#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"# ( NEW SOUTH WALES As mentioned in the previous newsletter, a successful educational evening was held in February 2012 at IVFA, Bondi Junction. Delia McCarthy presented on the use of Acupuncture in Fertility Treatments, and Sandy Emerson gave a most sobering insight into the complications that can arise in multiple pregnancy. There was good NSW nurse attendance at the Mid Year Workshop in Canberra on May 19th. Thankyou ACT for convening a thoroughly enjoyable and stimulating day. Our most recent educational evening was on June 20 th hosted by Genea, Liverpool. Dr Derek Lok presented on DNA Fragmentation and Dr Sonal Karia highlighted the use of AMH and its Implications in Fertility Treatment. Many thanks to our hosting clinic, speakers, Merck Serono, Orion and Ashmed, who all generously contributed to make the night a success. Bayer and Merck Serono are kindly hosting educational events in July and August. In other news, we are calling for nominations for state rep as Lauren Metliss will be stepping down after her two year term. She welcomed her second child into the world on March 9 th 2012, a beautiful girl called Ivy. With a 3 year old and newborn, interstate travel for executive meetings is difficult, so we are calling a slightly early nomination in order to give the successor the opportunity to attend the FNA Meeting and AGM in Auckland in October. We would like to extend our thanks to our Platinum sponsor MSD, Gold sponsor - Merck Serono, Bronze sponsors - Orion and Ashmed, and Bayer for their ongoing support of FNA. Lauren Metliss and Jan Mackenzie A message to all clinics in Australia and New Zealand FNA Unit Register Would anyone like to update their details on the clinic register? Please check your details by going online to the FNA website. Scroll down to the Unit Register and find your clinic. Please send you updates to Tamara Pearce at: tamara.pearce@mivf.com.au
"#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"#( 7(3(: &1#( AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY The 2012 Mid Year Workshop: Fertility From Woe to Go, has been our local focus over the last few months. Crisp Canberra weather didn t let us down. The venue was light and airy although a little cold at the start. We have proven one of the best ways to secure speakers for national conference is to ask them to present to your local meetings first. This worked successfully with both Karen Webster (Sonographer) and Dr Nicci Sides who presented in 2011 and 2012 respectively. I am sure it paid off with both speakers feeling very comfortable and polished on the day, as well as being bonded to FNA members We had 104 registrations of which 97 were full day, one breakfast only and the remainder were speakers arriving for their session. Vaunlea Morrison, the ACT Bayer Scholarship winner for 2011, has presented at a local meeting. She reflected on two of the topics presented at the 2011 Mid Year Workshop held in the Gold Coast. After a break, we shall concentrate on local education again for the end of the year. Recruiting a new ACT representative is underway. I have sent out a flyer describing the position and duties required and am hopeful for a new replacement for next year. Judy McColl NEW ZEALAND Clinics all around the country are currently busy. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of older women requesting Donor Egg treatment. Many patients are looking at the option of using overseas clinics, particularly those on the west coast of the USA. Changes to the HART Act enabling the use of both donor egg and donor sperm, has allowed patients investigating this treatment option the chance to create a family. We are currently working on the program for the October FSA meeting. We had a successful planning meeting on the 10th May. The theme of the day is working around How Old is Too Old and Disposable Fertility the Effect of a Lustful Youth on Future Fertility. Letters are being sent out to invited speakers. An email has been sent to the Auckland Clinics to propose the concept of billeting nurses who travel from Australia for the FSA meeting in October. This will hopefully enable more nurses to attend as accommodation costs can be kept to a minimum. We both travelled to the Mid Year workshop in Canberra and will be sending out a newsletter to all NZ clinics in the near future. Renata Stewart and Helen Mudgway DID YOU KNOW.? In 1990, the Nurses Special Interest Group (NSIG) was created and had their inaugural meeting at the FSA conference in Perth. This committee, comprised of a representative from each state with Heather Denholm as Chairperson, offered support to assist ART nurses to attend conferences and other educational activities, and to engage in research. In 1997, a vote was taken at the NSIG nurses workshop to formalize the name to Fertility Nurses of Australasia (FNA). The FNA has continued to progress from strength to strength in both its membership and the role it has played in promoting and developing the status of ART nurses in Australia and New Zealand.
:&1#;88(3(: &1# "#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"# ( CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BAYER SCHOLARSHIPS WINNERS The winners for 2012 are: Victoria Sharyn Latham Reproductive Service, The Royal Women s Hospital Queensland Renda Bimrose IVF Sunshine Coast Western Australia Sue Keogh Pachyrhizi Consulting. South Australia Helen Alvino Repromed There were no applications from NSW ACT TAS and NZ. Thanks to Bayer for their support, we look forward to hearing about the learning opportunities experienced by the winners HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Calling for Nominations Do you know of someone who fits one of the following three criteria? Any person based in Australia or New Zealand who has made an outstanding contribution, at an international level, to the science of human reproduction Any person who has made an outstanding contribution, over many years, to the activities and goals of the Fertility Society of Australia Any person who has made an outstanding contribution to raising awareness of fertility and human reproduction in Australian or New Zealand society Please forward your suggested nomination to Chair Sue Keogh or your State Representative as soon as possible. Formal nomination after consideration and endorsement of FNA is a rigorous procedure. The final nomination needs to be submitted to the FSA Secretariat by February 28, each year. Please put your thinking caps on there must be a worthy FNA member out there. Judy McColl FNA Secretary Education - One hour equals one CPD point. Remember small amounts add up.
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:&1#;::(3(: &1# "#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"# ( SPONSORSHIP OF FNA GOLD SPONSOR BRONZE SPONSOR ORION ASHMED MERCK SERONO PLATINUM SPONSOR FRIEND of FNA FERRING Rosemary Sayer & Terry Grose MSD EXHIBITOR MEDITRON OTHER SPONSORSHIP BAYER HEALTHCARE COOK MEDICAL
"#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"#( ;<(3(: &1#( A very successful mid year workshop was held in Canberra on May 19 th 2012. Congratulations and special thanks to Judy McColl and her team for their time and effort in organising this event. The program covered the initial stages of diagnosing infertility, treatment, psychological burdens, and a visual ultrasound journey of diagnosis through to the final product, a term baby MID YEAR WORKSHOP 2012 CANBERRA There were 104 registrations for the event with 11 guest speakers. The day kicked off at 7.30am with a breakfast meeting allowing nurses to earn 7CPD points by the end of the day. The next national FNA conference will be in Auckland in October, followed by the 2013 mid year workshop, which is to be hosted by Adelaide next May. Dr Simone Campbell FertilitySpecialist fromgenea, Canberra presenting onpco. Delegates enjoying the light and airy venue. A full room of delegates atmanuka OvalConvention Centre withendocrinologist DrMiriam Blackburn i Delegate Certificates waitingto becollected awarding 7 CPD points.
:&1#;;;;;(3(: &1# "#$%&%$'()*#+"+(,-(.*+$#/&/+%/(0()"1+&"$$"# ( 2011 FNA Committee Sue Keogh Jan MacKenzie Chairperson and WA Representative. Chair Elect and NSW Representative susan.r.keogh@gmail.com jmackenzie@nextgenfertility.com.au Judy McColl Secretary and ACT Representative Home: njmccoll@bigpond.com (best) jmccoll@isisfertility.com.au Carmel Carrigan Treasurer and QLD Representative carmel.carrigan@qfg.com.au Donna Close FNA Representative to the FSA Board of Directors donna.close@qfg.com.au Home: donnaclose@me.com Louise Younger FNA member of RTAC louise.younger@qfg.com.au Home: louiseyounger@gmail.com Lauren Metliss Newsletter Editor & NSW Representative lmetliss@ivf.com.au Linda Garland WA Representative. linda@fertilitywa.com.au Louise Hayes QLD Representative. louise@cityfertility.com.au Tamara Pearce Victoria Representative. tamara.pearce@mivf.com.au Rachael Varady Victoria Representative. rachael.varady@mivf.com.au Renata Stewart NZ Representative. rstewart@repromed.co.nz Robyn Trenouth SA Representative. robyn.t@flindersivf.com.au No rep at present Helen Mudgway Tasmania Representative. NZ Representative hmudgway@fertilityassociates.co.nz Maria Vitucci SA Representative mvitucci@repromed.com.au