At Pinnacle Health our commitment to health equity goes beyond words — it is backed by evidence. Our medical director, Dr Jo Scott-Jones, recently joined partners in academia to examine how primary care can close gaps and improve outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.
Read moreWe welcome all members to join us for the Pinnacle Incorporated Annual General Meeting (AGM) being held at 5:30pm on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 at the Pinnacle Offices, Ground Floor, 711 Victoria St, Hamilton.
Read moreIn response to the voices of the network captured in the Pinnacle Workforce Survey 2023, Pinnacle offered funded places for registered health professionals from within the network to have a further opportunity to upskill in professional supervision using a strength-based approach. This course is now full and future course dates are to be confirmed.
Read moreWe’re proud to celebrate Dr Brendon Eade and Dr Sarah Callaghan, who are among 12 GPs recognised with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Community Service Medal for their outstanding contributions to community health.
Read moreTe Whatu Ora is exploring the use of an AI-supported symptom checker to help people navigate health services. They are seeking experienced clinicians and health sector leaders to join the Symptom Checker Governance Group, which will ensure the tool is clinically safe, culturally appropriate, evidence-based and aligned with national strategy.
Read moreA number of unions have advised Te Whatu Ora that their members are planning to strike on Thursday 23 to Friday 24 October. Patient safety will remain priority and Te Whatu Ora has agreements with the unions for life preserving services support from union members for the strike periods.
Read moreThe RNZCGP is running a series of webinars, during October and November, designed to upskill clinicians on the assessment, diagnosis, investigation and management of adult ADHD before next year's changes to ADHD access through primary care.
Read moreThe measles chapter of Te Whatu Ora's Communicable Disease Control Manual was updated and endorsed on 11 September 2025. Te reo Māori measles alert social media resources, and information sheets reflecting te ao Māori perspectives, are also available.
Read moreAn updated information sheet is available outlining the 2025/26 primary care immunisation performance measures, designed to support achievement of the national immunisation target. The resource helps practices understand the performance framework, expectations and claiming process.
Read moreApplications are now open for the new refugee health scholarship programme, supporting former refugees to pursue health careers and strengthen community representation. The scholarship offers up to $25,000 in support and prioritises those in nursing, primary care, and community-facing roles. Applications close 15 December 2025.
Read moreThe Braemar Charitable Trust helps patients access free private surgical procedures when care isn’t available through the public system and private options aren’t affordable. Their most recent event in September 2025 supported 32 patients with procedures including dental, general surgery, gynaecology, colonoscopy, and children’s ENT operations. Clinicians can apply on behalf of eligible patients.
Read morePathlab has introduced a mandatory tick box on all lab forms to indicate test funding eligibility. While this aims to reduce billing errors, it adds extra steps for practices. Pinnacle is in discussion with Pathlab to request a return to the previous “eligible by default” setting.
Read moreThe Faecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) for Symptomatic pathway is active in Waikato and will be introduced in other districts over the coming months. The pathway helps prioritise patients for colonoscopy and supports earlier detection of bowel cancer. Waikato practices are reminded to advise patients about the FIT process and follow up if symptoms persist after a negative result.
Read moreThe Ministry of Health has introduced standards for B4SC training, recommending 24 hours of initial training for new B4SC nurses. The assessments as well as supervised practice makes up for the hours uncounted. This training is for Waikato region only.
View eventThe Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme is hosting two webinars to cover what the NPTSS offers, eligibility criteria and application process, and how the scheme supports employers and clinical supervisors.
View eventMedtech is hosting informal user group sessions across the North Island — a chance to meet the team, ask questions, explore new products, and share your feedback.
View eventA new suite of population health and wellbeing resources have been developed to support general practice and district teams. These reports bring together district insights, data and practical considerations to help inform planning, service development and equity-focused improvement.
Quick guides to assist practices with identifying eligibility criteria;invoices that can be claimed; managing claims and providing assistance with understanding remittance reports
This month Jo Scott-Jones and Dave Maplesden discuss malnutrition, breast screening extension, serum oestradiol, and more.