The society was formed in 1971 at the request of the government of the day, with the aim of eventually regulating Healthcare Technologists.
Attempts to institute regulation by way of registration were deflected by various means with the only obvious reason that the finance involved would be outside the government agreed expenditure.
The membership of the Society totals about 35 members as at 25 OCT 1998 and this membership consists of a number of long serving members including one Life Member. The membership covers a broad spectrum of activities. There are Medical Practioners, Scientists, Biomedical Engineering staff, Anaesthetic Technicians, Anaesthetic Service Technicians, Technical Assistants and Healthcare Facilitators.
In the past Members of the Society have been actively involved in direct negotiations with the employer representatives over salary and conditions of employment. The introduction of the 1000 member union requirement by the government has resulted in the Society moving away from member condition negotiation to the one of educational and regulatory body that the constitution clearly spells out for it.
The minutes of the meeting responsible for setting up the society are reproduced below.
Minutes of Formation Meeting of Auckland Branch of N.Z. Paramedical Technicians Association
13th May 1971
A meeting was held at Green Lane Hospital Hall, being called to order by the convenor, Mr. T. McQuillan, Physics Department, Auckland Hospital, at 7.40 p.m.
Present were 54 technicians and apologies were received from 10 others. Mr D. Olive was present to represent his staff in the Renal Dialysis unit, Auckland Hospital.
Mr McQuillan chaired the meeting with Mr R. Bentley as secretary.
Mr McQuillan gave a resume of forming of the group which made submissions to the Health Department at the Department's invitation in February. He also spoke of the wish to form a National Association which had led to this meeting.
After some discussion it was moved by Mr R Tyson, seconded by Mr F. Knowles "that an Association of Paramedical Technicians be formed in Auckland". This motion was carried unanimously.
Nominations were called for a steering committee and were submitted as follows:-
Nominee Nominator Seconder
Mr T. McQuillan Mr G. Rust Mr S. Yarrow
Miss E. Hosken Mrs. C. Breed Miss H. Nisbet
Mr S. Yarrow Mr B. Pulley Mr R. Tyson
Mr K. Ambler Mr D. Olive Mr T. McQuillan
Mr G. Rust Mr B. Long Mr S. Yarrow
Mr G. Demissen Mrs A. Frew Mr J. Mackie
It was moved by Mrs C. Breed, seconded by Mr R. Tyson that these nominees be declared duly elected. Carried.
Discussion of a general nature followed including the matters of membership fees and levels of fees for junior technicians, eligibility of certain technical groups, the aims and professional aspects of the association. Mr Yarrow suggested that the primary aims should be to get out from regulation 9 and to establish the rights and procedures necessary for salary and condition negotiations directly with the Health Department..
A motion, moved by Mr N. Nouse, seconded by Mrs C. Breed, was passed that the steering committee be instructed to report on, and take, the necessary steps to set up a legal constitution, rules, fees etc. to make a recognised body which would be part of the proposed National Association.
Mr Bentley was instructed to keep in contact with technicians in other areas and to press for and aid these areas to set up a National Association as a first priority.
After Mr R. Tyson, seconded by Mr N. Nouse, had moved a vote of thanks to Mr McQuillan et al for convening the meeting, Mr McQuillan closed the meeting at 9:15 pm.
R.M. Bentley
ATTENDANT AT THE MEETING
Mr G. Rust Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr J. Mackie Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr L. Priestley Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mrs C. Breed Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr T. McQuillan Physics Department, Auckland Hospital
Mr K. Ambler Neurophysiology Department, Auckland Hospital
Mr Demisson Electronics Department, Auckland Hospital
Mr F. Knowles E M.S.U., Auckland Hospital
Mr R. Bentley Bypass Unit, Green Lane Hospital
Miss V. Barnes Bypass Unit, Green Lane Hospital
Mr B. Long Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Miss S. White Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr C. Hall Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Miss C. Leith Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr B. Pulley Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Miss E. Hosken Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr R. Tyson A.S.U., Auckland Hospital
Mr N. Nouse Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr A. Mekkleholt Surgical Laboratory, Green Lane Hospital
Mr S. Yarrow Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Miss A. Hay Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Miss R. Thomas Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr D. Olive Dialysis Unit, Auckland Hospital
Miss H. Nisbet Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mrs A. Kenyon Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Miss D. Macgregor Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mrs M. Vedder Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr K. Bentley Surgical Laboratory, Green Lane Hospital
Mr J. Livick Physiology Department, Green Lane Hospital
Mr J. Davison A.S.U., Auckland Hospital
Mr N. McLeod E.M.S.U., Auckland Hospital
Mrs A. Frew E.C.G. Department, Auckland Hospital
Mr M. Durham Respiratory Unit, Auckland Hospital
Mr T. Wickman Anaesthetic Department, Middlemore Hospital
Apologies were received from:-
Mr H. Guillemin Mr L. Dyball Miss J. Triggs Mrs M. Weir Miss P. Thorburn
Mrs B. Dean Miss K. Doyle Mr J. Ley Mrs M. Wootten M. McKechnie