Page 18 - FSANZ SPRING -2021

Nurses welcome the chance to meet
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Around 120 enthusiastic delegates addressed a diverse range of topics at the recent Fertility Nurses of Australasia (FNA) meeting in Melbourne.
FNA Chair, Margie Parry, said it was a welcome opportunity for nurses to come together after enduring lockdown restrictions due to the pandemic. While most attendees were based in Victoria, the meeting also attracted representatives from New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, WA and Tasmania.
Dr Petra Wale, clinical embryologist and FSANZ Vice- President, opened the program with a presentation on factors affecting embryo development. Other speakers included:
• Dr Hossam Elzieny on the subject of DHEA hormone versus testosterone;
• Davina Cossigny, male infertility;
• Anna MacLeod, patient centred care and right to
know legislation;
• Dr Stephen Flemming, endometrial receptivity testing and personalised embryo transfer; pre-implantation
genetic testing and transfer of euploid and mosaic embryos; and poor prognosis patients and their treatment options;
• Dr Quynh-Nhu Nguyen, underlying mechanisms of oocyte death during cancer treatment;
• Dr Deb Gook and Andrea Martin, ovarian tissue cryopreservation and grafting; and
• Amelia Arnold, LGBTI affirmative practice.
Margie said the attendance demonstrated how keen FNA members were to come together to share knowledge and enjoy camaraderie.
“It augurs well for our FNA meeting in Sydney on 29 January preceding the FSANZ annual scientific meeting when hopefully higher vaccination rates will allow us to return to a sense of normality,” she said.
Scientists address staffing issues in IVF laboratories
As the IVF industry in Australia and New Zealand evolves, we have seen many changes to the scope and depth of laboratory expertise and techniques.
Over time, the responsibilities of scientists have also expanded significantly. In addition to technical aspects of a scientist’s role in ART procedures, the modern-day IVF scientist also has to ensure that the laboratory complies with Federal and State regulations as well as recommendations and guidelines of professional associations.
Recently Scientists in Reproductive Technology (SIRT) members have raised concerns about safe staffing levels in IVF labs and issues relating to professional development. Currently, there are no detailed staffing guidelines in place in Australia and New Zealand.
International organisations such as ASRM, ESHRE and ALPHA have in the past published staffing guidelines and details regarding professional development of IVF scientists. Several groups have also published staffing guidelines based on timing and complexity of procedures, as well as the required qualifications and training necessary to become an IVF scientist (Alikani et al, 2014, Go 2015).
However, some recommendations were not applicable to the Australasian IVF industry due to modernisation of IVF techniques as well as differences in work entitlements between countries.
SIRT has a long-standing commitment to increase the profile and professional status of scientists working in the IVF industry as well as promoting high standards within the profession through education and training.
To this end, SIRT is working to formalise guidelines for best practice in staffing of IVF labs and professional development of IVF scientists in Australia and NZ.
A sub-committee comprising members from both countries is addressing these issues. It is co-chaired by Lisa Lee and Jayne Mullen.
Discussions of the sub-committee will be summarised in a position paper expected in early 2022. Following conclusion, the position paper will be submitted to the FSANZ for ratification and publication.
Meanwhile, the Australian Council for the Certification of the Medical Laboratory Scientific Workforce is pleased to announce the addition of a new category of certification for those meeting the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council requirements of a Clinical Scientist.
Applicants will need to provide evidence of their qualification and CPD with no option for Provisional Certification for this category.
Medical Scientists who are already on the Register of Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists may apply to upgrade their status by contacting the acting registrar office@accmlsw.org.au with evidence of their qualification.
If the application is accepted their certificate and entry on the Register will be updated for the remainder of their current certification at no charge. Certified Clinical Scientists will be entitled to use the post nominal CCS.
Kristy Demmers, SIRT Chair