06/07/2025
📢 AUMSA Advocacy Update – July 2025
Kia ora koutou! 👋
Here’s a quick update on what your AUMSA team has been working on in the advocacy space – all shaped by your feedback and lived experiences. Thank you for continuing to share with us 💙
1️⃣ Summer Studentships – Now Open to Years 3 & 4!
Previously, Years 3 and 4 students weren’t eligible to apply for summer scholarships – even for externally funded ones paid through the university.
Thanks to your advocacy and our ongoing efforts, this has now changed! 🎉
Students in Years 3 and 4 are now eligible to apply for summer research studentships. Applications are open now – get amongst it!
2️⃣ Improving Run Allocations & Long Day Planning
A working group has been established at the University of Auckland to:
🔹 Provide earlier run information
🔹 Share when each doctor on your team is doing long days or weekends
🔹 Develop a live form so you can select long day/weekend shifts that align with your team
This should make rostering more student-friendly and team-focused.
3️⃣ Conference Leave for Medical Students
We’re pushing for dedicated conference leave for students to attend:
🩺 NZMSA Conference
🌿 National Rural Health Conference
🔬 Research conferences where you're presenting
These are important opportunities for professional development – and we believe you should be supported to attend without needing to use annual leave.
4️⃣ Scheduling Concerns – Help Us Help You
We’re working with NZMSA to address issues with extended rosters, like:
🔸 More than 7 consecutive days of work
🔸 Night shifts before progress tests
🔸 Lack of public holidays or breaks
If this has happened to you, please share your experience – the more examples we have, the stronger our case becomes. Please email [email protected] with the run sheet.
5️⃣ Login Issues (RCP, HCC, BadgerNet)
If your logins for RCP, HCC, or BadgerNet were delayed or non-functional during your run, let us know. We're compiling reports to advocate for a smoother, more consistent onboarding experience.
6️⃣ HotSpots is Open! 🔥📣
HotSpots is your anonymous feedback tool – and it’s not just for raising issues.
🟢 Had an amazing teaching experience with a clinician?
🔴 Faced an unprofessional or difficult situation on placement?
We want to hear both the good and the bad.
Your feedback helps us highlight great teachers and address concerns – creating a stronger, safer, and more supportive clinical learning environment for everyone.
A survey for University of Auckland MBChB students during their clinical years
