RNZCGP: Ka Hono collegial support
Bay of Plenty/Waikato Faculty of RNZCGP invites all GPs (including non-faculty members) and GP registrars in the GPEP programme (years 1-3) to register for collegial support service – Ka Hono.
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Previously called Pin Points
In this section we share clinical and practice operations updates from Pinnacle and the wider health sector. Use the search box and filters to help find what you’re looking for.
Have an update you’d like to share? Email us.
Pathlab Eclair upgrade update
Some users are experiencing issues with éclair eOrders, including slowness and timeouts. Pathlab has resolved most known issues but is still monitoring for others. There may be some ongoing issues for several weeks around available patient history.
Read moreLatest Taranaki clinical updates
Read the latest clinical updates for Taranaki including the opening and education session with Active+ and a database of NGOs operating within Taranaki.
Read moreVarenicline tablets (Champix) relisted and available
Varenicline tablets (Champix) to support smoking cessation has been relisted on the pharmaceutical schedule. This medicine has been unavailable since 2021 due to manufacturing impurities which have now been rectified.
Read moreVagenius Training: Persistent Pelvic Pain
This RNZCGP and RANZCOG-approved course is designed to empower GPs and nurse practitioners to avoid overwhelm, while giving effective care to patients with persistent pelvic pain, including endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Read moreMental health professional development topic feedback
Later this year, the team at Waikato University Student Health are planning a professional development day for all general practitioners and nurse practitioners, focussed on mental health. They're looking for feedback on topics to cover during this workshop. If you have comment and/or critique on their proposed topics, please contact Steven Lillis, Student Health GP.
Read morePathlab: Sample retention period changes
Due to workload increase and capacity constraints in Pathlab's refrigerated stockyard, they are no longer able to store blood samples for the previous duration of seven days. Effective immediately, serum samples will be stored for four days and EDTA samples will be stored for two days. Please ensure that any required follow-up testing or additional requests are submitted within the revised storage timeframes to avoid potential issues.
Read moreBexsero vaccine errors
There has been an increase in reported vaccine errors, particularly due to the incorrect spacing of the Bexsero vaccine doses. It has been recognised that the Patient Management Systems often fail to recognise when a Bexsero dose is administered late, subsequently not accounting for the required 8-week or 6-month intervals. To assist with ensuring the correct scheduling of the Bexsero vaccine, the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) has provided an error warning document.
Read morePublic Health Advisory: Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis
Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBP) has recently been detected by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and is an emerging issue in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NPHS is currently assessing the situation and gathering expert local and international opinion. Further advice will follow when available.
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