Ophthalmology New Zealand (ONZ) has launched a new website as part of its transformation to a more commercial and thus professional umbrella body to better service New Zealand’s ophthalmologists.

Driving these changes, with the support of the ONZ board, is former Auckland Eye chief executive and health management consultant, Moira McInerney, who was appointed towards the beginning of the year.

The ONZ was established in 2012 to provide a uniquely New Zealand service to Kiwi ophthalmologists, especially when it comes to more commercial and medico-political interests which fall outside RANZCO’s, primarily training and education, remit. But ONZ has been unable to really fulfil its remit, until now, says McInerney who has been busy surveying members and, with their support, putting in place the processes and systems required to provide a more professional and thus effective service.

As part of this service, McInerney has helped run two forums this year: a new ONZ Business Forum and the annual Clinical Leaders Forum, which includes updates with all the DHBs on regulatory changes and issues.

The ONZ Business Forum, held in May following the RANZCO NZ Branch Meeting in Pahia, tackled a wealth of commercial issues, including accounting, the Commerce Act, career risk management, quality accreditation and the Southern Cross. This Forum is a good example of how ONZ can help its members, says McInerney.

Another change, already in place, is the ONZ’s approach to the country’s increasingly dominant health insurer, Southern Cross. The ONZ is now far more proactive with Southern Cross, arranging regular meetings to stay on top of any proposed changes before they are implemented and to better negotiate on behalf of members, says McInerney.

ONZ’s direction is similar to that of the Australia Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO), she says, but it is only part way through its transformation, as it seeks to gain more members, and membership funds, by proving it’s worth as a society. To bridge the current funding gap, McInerney has enticed some general sponsors on board to also provide knowledge useful to ONZ members. These include ANZ Bank, accountants Crowe Howarth and life insurance company Legacy Benefits.

“It is quite an exciting time for ONZ,” says McInerney, because it hasn’t reached anywhere near it’s potential, but now it has the systems in place to do what it’s members would like it to do. “But we do need all the country’s ophthalmologists to be members, so we can really achieve those goals.”

According to its constitution, and now proudly displayed on its new website, ONZ’s goals are to:

• Build relationships and lobbying at a national, local and DHB level with government
• Work with health insurance providers and other third-parties to raise the profile of ophthalmologists and their concerns, and
• Add value through resources and education on uniquely New Zealand commercial matters.

ONZ’s board comprises: chair, Dr Michael Merriman; treasurer, Dr Kevin Taylor; and board members, Drs Peter Hadden, Rebecca Stack, Dean Corbett and Shenton Chew. For more, visit www.ophthalmologynz.co.nz