ANZSGM New Zealand Retreat

By Victoria Gibson

October brought the annual ANZSGM retreat to sunny Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The weather really delivered, treating delegates to warm 25 degree sunshine throughout the three days. Over 120 delegates from Australia and New Zealand convened to hear an array of excellent talks on a variety of topics, including updates in renal medicine and dermatology in the older person, perioperative care, movement disorders, the MANA tool, and equity challenges in Maori.

A particular highlight was bringing together our keynote speakers from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, to explore the challenges facing healthcare of older person’s across the globe. Whilst it was reassuring that similar challenges were faced universally, it was also uplifting to share new ideas, and ways of working to overcome these challenges.

Heartfelt talks by the Clinical Nurse Specialists in Hawkes Bay on the devastating impact of the cyclone, and Professor Adam Gordon’s talk on the catastrophic impact of COVID on the UK, had a profound effect on the room, leading to discussions for days to come.

The organising committee wish to thank all our speakers, particularly our keynote speakers Professor Adam Gordon, Professor Vasi Naganthan, and Professor Ruth Hubbard for travelling great distances, and for their invaluable perspectives.

We also wish to thank the incredible delegates. It was uplifting to see so many compassionate people in one room, all striving to improve the care of older people. Your engagement with the speakers and each other throughout was exceptional, and really made the retreat what it was – thank you.