Te Whatu Ora has received notice of strike action by members of the NZNO (New Zealand Nurses Organisation) union. This means that nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who are union members and employed by Te Whatau Ora will be undertaking a full withdrawal of labour, from 11am to 7pm on Tuesday 3 December.

A measles case identified in Auckland had recently returned from Southeast Asia. Whilst infectious, the case visited three healthcare settings and a local Four Square on Waiheke Island, prior to being advised to isolate. All known close contacts have been contacted, and a small number are in quarantine. While the risk of transmission to the wider community is considered low, the National Public Health Service is asking healthcare professionals to please remain vigilant and take precautions.

Skin prick testing is a specialised test to detect specific IgE antibodies to a range of allergens. Due to the very low volume of skin prick tests processed at Pathlab Taupō, and in commitment to service quality, Pathlab has discontinued skin prick testing at this site. Patients will instead be booked for the same testing at a different site, the closest being Rotorua – OPD Department – Rotorua Hospital.

The recent PHO Services Agreement Amendment Protocol (PSAAP) meeting took place 31 October and focused on updates related to the Primary Health Organisations Services Agreement (PHOSA) and outputs from working groups. Three themes emerged at many points during the meeting.

Following the recent announcement of updates to the ACC definition regulations, paramedics will be recognised as ACC treatment providers from 19 December 2024. This change will enable paramedics to be funded for work in primary care and as PRIME responders.

Following a recent case, the Ministry of Health is clarifying the use of the Mental Health Act (1992) for frontline doctors and nurse practitioners. This concerns situations where someone may require compulsory assessment and treatment.

Furthermore, the Ministry recommends all frontline doctors and nurse practitioners in the community, rural hospitals and emergency departments, engage with training such as that available via Te Pou on the application of the Mental Health Act.

To ensure patients receive the funding they are eligible for, Work and Income kindly request practices include a short letter or annotation on the form for all non-subsidised medication requests. This should specify the condition the medication is treating and any funded alternatives that have been tried. By providing this information upfront, Work and Income can expedite the process and reduce the need for follow-up requests.

Anglesea Clinic will continue to work with all practices as an after-hours option for patients and whānau. Anglesea has confirmed that moving to a "new standard fee for all New Zealand residents, regardless of being enrolled or not enrolled, also means their updated pricing is more equitable and affordable for all patients."

Te Whatu Ora is now supporting all general practices and accident and urgent care centres across Aotearoa to publish comprehensive service information on Healthpoint – www.healthpoint.co.nz.