It is becoming very likely that our New Zealand operations may not survive the effects of the COVID19 pandemic as it continues to impact our ability to remain operational.  Without an regular income stream no business can continue indefinitely, as the expenses related to maintaining a business continue to drain financial resources.

We currently reside in Australia, so travel across the Tasman with the risk of having to be quarantined for two weeks minimum going both ways is a major deterrent to scheduling future events, as well as the risk of another outbreak preventing or severely limiting events.  Any such venture at this stage would not be financially viable, and could even result in a large financial loss loss.

At present we are holding a limited number of small courses in Australia which is minimising  the losses this side of the Tasman, and we hope to remain viable going forward so long as there are no additional limitations forced upon us by COVID outbreaks.

At this stage we none of us can predict the future of this pandemic.  Keep in mind that historically no vaccine for such a disease has been developed in less than four years, so we could be looking at this situation continuing for some time yet.  Though there are currently three vaccines showing great promise, proving their safety and efficacy could take some time, plus then getting them to mass distribution.  Perhaps this time with so many researchers working on the problem we will beat the old record for successfully developing a viable vaccine, here's hoping!

Meantime, keep safe everyone please.

Sadly we have been advised that travel restrictions through until early 2021 will have a serious impact on our ability to continue with the events scheduled for New Zealand this year.

We have very reluctantly cancelled the Leadership seminar which we had hoped to conduct 21st November at Novotel Ellerslie. The venue is currently hosting quarantined travelers and this has been a factor also in our decision. While we have full confidence in the the venue to protect our clients, there have been several who are booked to attend that have expressed great reluctance to attend the seminar and more are joining that cohort as we get closer to the event date.

All clients who have pre-paid will be refunded in full.

When we have a clearer picture of the future going into 2021 we will look at resuming activities.

These are uncertain times and we hope there will be a return to normal early 2021, and we are all still here to see the New Year!

All the best,

​Graham and Anne 

Finally some good news concerning COVID-19 almost under control, and restrictions being eased.

Anne has produced some videos of recorded webinars which are now on sale from the website for very reasonable costs.

The duration of each will vary, and thus the cost.  Upon purchase you are sent a file with the link to the video and a password. Save the file, then open. Click the arrow to open the session, if asked for the password enter this to open the video.

This is a new enterprise for us, and we hope for a trouble free experience for those purchasing the videos. If you experience a problem please let us know so we can address the issue as soon as possible.

As available we will add more of the videos on various subjects, check regularly for updates.

Meantime we expect the September live seminars in Auckland will go ahead. Until then, keep safe.

​Graham & Anne 

Well, this year has been momentous for us all I must say!

Our work tour for March/April got off to a good start in Auckland, and we moved on to Gisborne where we completed one event but had the second cancelled at the last moment due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings being introduced.  All of the remaining seminars we had scheduled were also cancelled for the same reason.

Our flights home were then cancelled with the advice that they would be re-scheduled. A harrowing time waiting to get advice from Air New Zealand of our new flights made for an anxious time, as the travel bans were gradually being implemented and we were at risk of not getting home before international flights were curtailed.  Luckily they got us on flights back to Brisbane, and we were able to drive home from there after promising to go into home quarantine for 14 days. Our time is up tomorrow 9th April, and neither of us has displayed any signs or symptoms of illness for which we are very grateful.

​It is our hope that the September 2020 seminars will go ahead.  As the time gets closer we will have a better idea if this being optimistic, or if we will have to cancel them also. Anyone who has booked and paid for these events will get a full refund in the event that we have to cancel them.  As they are 5 months away yet there is a good chance that the restrictions will have been lifted by then, but we just don't know yet what the future holds for us all.

Our time in quarantine has been mainly relaxing and a break from our usually busy schedule, and allowed Anne to work on presentations while I worked on cancelling events and refunding money to our customers.  We now have little to do, and almost no income for the present, though the Australian Government is promising to compensate us if we remain operational until this is over.  We can survive OK but have concerns about how many who live on the breadline will cope if the wage subsidy payments are delayed much longer.

Many both in NZ and Oz are in this category, comfortable with huge home loans and credit card debt during good times that will now present them with tremendous problems immediately and well into the future.  No doubt we will all have to re-evaluate our attitude towards what are needs and what are wants in future. 

​Meantime we hope and pray that we all stay safe and well, and do what we can to support each other until normality returns.

All the best and do keep safe,

​Anne & Graham

The Education at Sea cruise on Pacific Aria was a real hoot; the work environment was excellent, those attending were all happy and the shore days very enjoyable even though a bit of a shock at times.  The islands we visited were incredibly beautiful with lush forests and surrounded by pristine waters full of coral reefs and colorful tropical fish while the weather was fine and hot. 

Unfortunately P&O may not be doing this cruise again any time in the future, but I note there are other cruise lines that will be doing similar schedules next year.

We are reaching the end of our busy schedule for 2019 and looking forward to a holiday cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II in January, visiting New Zealand of course after spending some time around the southern parts of Australia.  One of the three Cunard "Queens" we have not sailed on previously but believe it is very much the same as the Queen Mary II which we have been on several times.

Our next work schedule for New Zealand will commence in Wellington 9th March 2020 and go through to just before Easter. We have events in Wellington, Auckland, Gisborne, Hamilton and possibly New Plymouth on this trip, a very busy schedule.  We hope to catch up with old clients and meet a lot of new ones also during this period.

It is hoped we can get the Chest X-rays book converted to a digital download also before the end of the year.  Graham has simply been too busy to complete the task so we are going to engage someone to do this for us as soon as possible as we are constantly asked when will this be available and though we were optimistic that it would be done long before now it just didn't happen.

We have been able to get the digital version of 'Un-complicating Life - Simply" up on the website for purchase for $10.00.  It is a PDF version which is the most convenient for the majority.

In case we don't get another post done before the holiday break we would like to thank all our past clients for their attendance at our seminars and for supporting us in our quest to bring quality nursing education to you in an enjoyable format that we hope will enhance your care of our hospital patients.  May you and your family have an enjoyable festive season, safely and with good health.
We look forward to 2020 and hope this will be your best year ever!

​Graham & Anne 

Another infrequent update.
The September round of events went well with visits to Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Christchurch.
For relaxation afterwards we had a few days in Queenstown before boarding a cruise ship from Auckland for the trip back to Australia - beats flying!

We will be busy with courses in Australia this month and the early part on November, then will be doing the seminar for EDUCATION AT SEA​ - 'Recognition and Clinical Assessment of the Deteriorating Patient' from 19 November - 29 November 2019 out of Brisbane visiting Papua New Guinea on  P & O Pacific Aria.

After spending the last of April, all May and the first week of June travelling to various locations on both the north and south islands doing seminars we are back in Australia until our return early September for a full month of seminar again at locations on both the north and south islands.

We will miss the coldest part of the year for New Zealand, though Australia is having some nasty weather that we will have to endure anyway.

I have added some events and dates for next year to the website so you can do some planning well ahead of time. 

Anne has been negotiating with Education at Sea and Nurses for Nurses for another cruise seminar in May 2020, this time Alaska.  When all the arrangements are finalised I'll add more details and a link to the registration and information pages for those interested in considering this event.

Another 10 DAY CRUISE with Anne, this one is filling rapidly and has limited numbers so don't delay or you could miss out.  Going to PNG!
EDUCATION AT SEA​ - Recognition and Clinical Assessment of the Deteriorating Patient
19 November - 29 November 2019 - Brisbane to Brisbane visiting Papua New Guinea
P & O Pacific Aria - great little ship, friendly staff and good facilities. We checked it out last December!
Costs: Conference Registration $890.00
Please note: Conference registration does not include accommodation or travel cost.
Bookings:  All bookings for this event are being handled by Education at Sea 
(Travel Direct Australia) Please contact Helen, Jason or Elita on +61 (02) 6674 2577
Cruise bookings contact Nurses for Nurses at 07 4151 3884 or Webpage: 
https://www.nursesfornurses.com.au/events/234/Recognition-and-Clinical-Assessment-of-the-Deteriorating-Patient-PNG
​

Happy New Year to all!

The old year is almost finished and a New Year is about to begin, so time to add to this blog.

We have had a little time to relax in the lead up to 2019, and time for reading and researching the latest developments in health, or should that be ill-health?

The statin drug debate continues but the conclusions are becoming more clear-cut in spite of resistance to new knowledge by those who really need to adjust their attitude to the issue.

We have come across this most interesting video from the Australian Broadcast Commission (ABC) which is several years old but summerises the issue very clearly.

Then we found the second video highlighting the the outcome of this program for the presenter where she tells about the response from opponents to the truth; very scary!

We urge you to watch and perhaps it will help you personally if you or your family members are in any way affected.  But please don't expect to be able to have any impact in your clinical practice for the current guidelines are hopelessly behind the times and unlikely to change any time soon in the face of such opposition. Keep safe!

Saturated Fat & Cholesterol Documentary -  https://youtu.be/1pfGTBXkq3g

The resulting respose is explained by Dr. Maryanne Demasi in her address - 'Statin Wars: Have we been misled by the evidence?' -   https://youtu.be/BzTjPuikhQE

If these two videos wet your appetite, take a look at the video on the work of Dr Robert Lustig, an dietary expert and endocrinologist who works in a clinic for obese children as he explains what the real cause of health problems is (and it is NOT saturated fats, or gluttony as we are frequently being told). 
Sweet Revenge Turning the Tables on Processed Food - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-_6JgMiwA