A reminder the MenB catch-up programme for those in close living situations will finish on 28 February 2024, as per the Pharmac criteria.

Each year MAS undertakes a GP locum/associate and nurse practitioner remuneration survey. The five minute survey is open to all practices in Aotearoa New Zealand until 5pm, Friday 23 February. If you don’t subscribe to the MAS HealthyPractice service, you can email your details to MAS at the end of the survey to receive a copy of the published report.

Te Whatu Ora is currently recruiting for a range of clinical advisor roles, offering opportunities both locally and nationally. These roles provide a chance for GPs and other experienced clinicians to contribute their expertise and system-wide perspective, helping to reinforce the vital role of general practice in the health system.

Te Whatu Ora renewed the community based attachment contracts for a period of 2 years when the current contracts expired on 31 January 2024.

A report detailing solutions for sustainable general practice has been released by General Practice New Zealand.

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) Taranaki (formerly TDHB Public Health Unit) recently moved from the Barrett Building at Base Hospital to the ground floor of the Baker Tilly Building at 109 Powderham Street, New Plymouth. The service phone numbers and mailing address remain the same.

The Mental Health Foundation has commissioned research to explore community wellbeing in the aftermath of the extreme weather events in 2023, including Cyclone Gabrielle. SIR Research is currently conducting online, phone, and postal surveys in a variety of locations including Tairāwhiti and Thames-Coromandel. People are encouraged to participate whether or not they have been directly impacted by the extreme weather events. The survey is anonymous, takes 10-15 minutes and participants will have a chance to win one of three $200 Prezzy cards.

The Taranaki Regional Screening Unit can now be reached on a shorter email address: RSU@tdhb.org.nz. A revised outreach referral form has also been developed. To ensure the correct process is managed please use this new form.

Sharon Macpherson, nurse practitioner and senior lecturer at the University of Waikato, is undertaking PhD research on the role of nursing practitioners within primary and secondary services. Sharon would like to interview nurse practitioners and general practitioners within primary care on their thoughts on the role, differences, and similarities in terms of patient characteristics, patient conditions seen, and where the future can be with nurse practitioners within an Aotearoa New Zealand context. If you can assist with this, a Teams link will be set up for a time you are available.

The Government has passed legislation bringing back 90-day trials for all employers. The bill was the same as the 2011 bill.