UROLOGY ONCOLOGY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. NAME The group shall be known as the Urology Oncology Nurses Special Interest Group 2. OBJECTIVES The initial objectives of the special interest group are to: Support, educate and facilitate evidenced practices/research in Uro Oncology nursing To collaborate with colleagues, disseminate knowledge, thus improving patient’s outcomes 3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES The Urology Oncology Nurses Special Interest Group will bring to urology nursing practice: 4. Improved quality and safety of service through the sharing of evidence based practice. Provide specialised view in Uro Oncology nursing issues. A reduction in professional isolation by collaborating with colleagues and the disseminating information Focus on the continuum of care from disease prevention, acute and chronic disease management in both hospital and community-based care. More sustainable services through the sharing of resources and through a more proactive response to the implementation of new practices Ongoing development and continuous improvement of future Uro Oncology nursing care. ACCOUNTABILITY The group is a special interest group which is accountable to the executive of the Australian and New Zealand Urological Nurses Society Incorporated. Any developments by the group will be approved by the ANZUNS executive prior to implementation and must comply with the model rules and strategic plans of ANZUNS. This process will be via the group chairperson in liaison with the ANZUNS President. TERMS OF REFERENCE – ORIGINAL DOCUMENT PRODUCED AUGUST 2008 UROLOGY ONCOLOGY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 5. RESPONSIBILITIES The Urology Oncology Nurses Special Interest Group will deliver high quality cancer nursing initiatives through: 6. Planning and priority setting Clinical practice recommendations Provision of education and discussion forums Partnerships Consumer development Performance Reporting Quarterly report and as appropriate to the ANZUNS executive on the activities and progress of the group. Regular inclusions in the ANZUNS quarterly newsletters Designated page on the ANZUNS website CHAIRPERSON The Chairperson will be elected by the group for a period of two years with extension beyond this time at the discretion of the ANZUNS executive. The primary role of the Chairperson is to lead the direction of the Urology Oncology Nurses Special Interest Group. A Deputy Chairperson will be appointed in the case that the chairperson is not available. 7. MEMBERSHIP Membership of the Urology Oncology Nurses Special Interest Group will be granted to urology nurses who are current financial members of ANZUNS. Membership is individual and not as an organisational representative. Members may not substitute a proxy for their attendance at any meetings or to respond to communications. Members accept responsibility to obtain endorsement from their individual employing organisation prior to useage of any materials produced by the group. Individual members will adhere to the following: Feedback and/or review of documentation responses are to be provided within requested timeframes. If a declaration of conflict of interest is required (competing professional or personal interest such as services that can only be provided by a member), the member will on advice of the Chairperson, either refrain from voting/participation in consensus decision making or retire from the room / discussion forum at that point. Members shall respect the confidentiality of the groups business where this requirement is conferred by the Chairperson. Member’s communication of group business within the public arena should be coordinated with and authorised by the Chairperson prior to publication. Members have a responsibility to canvas views and provide feedback as appropriate to their role and as directed by the group TERMS OF REFERENCE – ORIGINAL DOCUMENT PRODUCED AUGUST 2008 UROLOGY ONCOLOGY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 8. The group, through or at the direction of the Chairperson, is able to co-opt/seek expert advice on a needs basis. OPERATING PROCEDURES Meetings Meeting frequency is at the discretion of the group, with an annual meeting in conjunction with the ANZUNS national conference. Recognising the geographical challenges of the group, it is anticipated that communications with be via email discussion in the first instance. Resolution of dissenting issues shall be achieved by a vote of members present and the Chairperson shall have the casting vote. Quorum 50% of the members constitute a quorum either for decision response to email votes or meeting attendance. Agenda for scheduled meetings Standing agenda items will include: a) Minutes of last meeting b) Apologies c) Review of action items d) General business e) Date and location of next meeting 9. RECORDS The Secretariat will issue agendas and supporting material at least seven days in advance and prepare minutes from each meeting. The Secretariat will keep separate files of at least the following: 1. Agendas, minutes and papers circulated with them 2. Correspondence, papers tabled at meetings and papers circulated other than with agendas. These files are the property of ANZUNS. 10. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF TERMS OF REFERENCE These Terms of Reference shall be reviewed annually by the group and any changes will be approved as described above. Membership of the group will be reviewed annually in concert with the Terms of Reference. Subsequent revision dates: No. 2 Date April 2013 Nature of change(s) Amended Terms of Reference TERMS OF REFERENCE – ORIGINAL DOCUMENT PRODUCED AUGUST 2008