Racism and bias causes harm and contributes to health inequity. Cultural safety and te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) competencies set out protective criteria that aim to reduce unsafe nursing care. This study will simultaneously measure bias and identify nurse’s access to professional development, as part of Sonia’s Doctor of Philosophy study. Nurses are invited to participate in this anonymous online research which will take approximately 25-30 minutes of uninterrupted time.

A significant change in the Medtech BPAC patient prompt will be available for practices to install from 16 September.

Waikato DHB is currently preparing to give general practice access to clinical work station (CWS) again. Individual nurses, GPs and other roles who will want access will need to have their own individual certification. In addition, using Internet Explorer will not be possible as this is no longer safe and supported. Practices will need to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

The PHO clinical leaders’ group recently discussed a case outcome regarding 'vicarious liability', with a view to what could be done to mitigate the consequences of the court action, specifically looking at what measures could be put in place to protect GP’s and how to raise the profile of this precedent setting case. Experts from Medical Protection Society (MPS) joined the discussion. We wish to remind practices of the support MPS can offer in terms of advice and products.

Normal requesting patterns can now be resumed (including samples for mycobacterial culture following the recent cyberattack at Waikato Hospital).

MSD support services available to people during Alert Level 2.

The Hepatitis Foundation runs a long-term monitoring programme for people with hepatitis B that provides access to community hepatitis nurses and specialist care (if needed), regular blood tests and liver assessments, resources and information about hepatitis B, advice and support, and a free helpline. It has also launched a series of online education courses for primary healthcare providers that are endorsed by the Royal NZ College of GPs.

Pathlab previously operated a Venesection service under the direction and control of the referring clinician, with oversight by our service. During the COVID-19 lockdown period, and at the direction of the National Haematologist advisory group, medical venesection for iron overload was restricted to those patients with ferritin >1000 µg/L. Implementation of this direction required an audit of this service.

The Ministry of Health has been advised of delays in the supply of blood test tubes used for routine laboratory testing.