On 1 October 2023 Pinnacle CE Justin Butcher joined Pinnacle colleagues, kaumātua, and board and Māori governance rōpū members, in Rōtorua to officially gift one of our practices, Ōwhata Medical Centre, to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao. Read Justin's thoughts on this partnership here.
Read moreWe're thrilled to announce Hinetu Kallon Nikora, a patient service representative in our Patient Access Centre (PAC), as the inaugural recipient of Kia Puāwai, Pinnacle’s Māori Education Fund.
Read morePinnacle has covered the device cost of eight Butterfly IQ probes ($2,999 each) that are available to loan free of charge for any Pinnacle GPs who can commit to the annual Butterfly IQ membership licence of $680.00 (excl GST) until 2025.
Read moreThis is a free online 20 week course targeted at GPs, NPs, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and allied health professionals working in diabetes in Aotearoa.
Read moreThe Special Authority criteria for Concerta and Ritalin LA has been amended. This removes the criterion allowing treatment initiation on to Concerta or Ritalin LA if unable to access Teva-ER due to supply issues. This is because all strengths of Methylphenidate ER - Teva, are available again. However supply of Concerta is now constrained.
Read moreOffering community-based support for children aged up to 16 years old, the new Tui Ora community paediatric nurse can help whānau dealing with a variety of health challenges. This new service gives priority to those aged under five years old and those who are Māori or Pasifika, with a primary care focus providing nonacute community based care. GPs can refer via referral form.
Read moreThere has been a significant increase in cryptosporidiosis notifications in recent weeks. Since the start of 2024 until 8 March, there have been 262 cases across Aotearoa notified to public health services, compared to a 5-year average of 81 cases over the same time period. So far this year, 83 per cent of cases have been among people living in urban areas, primarily within Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury.
Read moreRead the latest from GPNZ including a message from the chair Bryan Betty, future of PHOs discussion document, GPNZ and Collaborative Aotearoa to explore joint working, and more.
Read moreTe Whatu Ora, The University of Waikato and Health Research Council of New Zealand are looking for wāhine hapū, pregnant Māori women, who are 16 years and older and living in the Waikato, to take part in a research study to ensure their pregnancy journey is the best it can be.
Read moreFor the months of July, August and September there will be no public dermatologist in Taranaki. This may cause longer than usual wait times. Please continue to refer via the usual pathways, with particular attention to using the High Suspicion of Cancer pathway for appropriate patients.
Read moreThe University of Otago research team and the RNZCGP would like to understand your perspective on the potential benefits and risks of AI clinical notes tools in primary care. This survey is anonymous and will take about 10 minutes to complete (or 2 minutes if you haven’t used these AI tools). A summary of the research results will be provided to various governance groups to inform policy on the use of AI tools in clinical practice.
Read moreIn May last year, the National Bowel Screening Programme focused on promoting bowel cancer screening in primary and community care settings. It was a great success, 400 practices across the rohe took part, and there was a significant increase in kit requests for priority populations. Primary care providers are invited to take part in this focus again this May.
Read moreOpen to all practice staff across the network, these lunchtime learnings will be held as fortnightly online meetings (12:00-12:30pm), with presentations on a range of relevant topics, and a a chance to connect with colleagues.
View eventThe opportunity to bring any questions you might have around individual indicators and what is needed to meet them. It'll also be an opportunity to learn from other Pinnacle practice colleagues and Pinnacle staff.
View eventHave you just returned to nursing, or are new to practice nursing? This study day is for nurses who feel a little rusty about their diabetes knowledge and want to feel more confident with diabetes annual reviews. It is a practical, hands on and shoes off kind of day.
View eventFurther to feedback from last year's Pinnacle workforce survey requesting more education opportunities, we've launched a new fortnightly lunchtime learnings programme. Watch a recording of the latest one here, available for two weeks.
The Immunisation Handbook provides clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
The Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR) is replacing the aging National Immunisation Register (NIR).