We'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.

We received 40 responses to our survey on the new government’s 100-day action plan, and the repeal of SERPA and Smokefree 2025 legislation. Thank you to everyone who took time to respond. While 40 is not a large amount given the number of general practice staff across the network, the feedback does align with what we are hearing directly from practices, and gives us a good understanding of where our advocacy efforts need to be.

Katoa, a new customised app, will make it easier for Pinnacle staff and the Midlands Health Network to learn and use Māori language, culture and customs in their day-to-day work. Katoa aims to support Pinnacle’s efforts to build a culturally aware health workforce across the network.

Pinnacle supports and is excited by the potential establishment of a third medical school through Waikato University.

Pinnacle has sent an open letter to Paul Goulter and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation requesting stronger representation of primary care nurses working in general practice in Te Whatu Ora multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) bargaining negotiations.

Applications for the next annual Midlands Collaborative Registered Nurse Prescribing in Community Health (RNPCH) programme are now open.

On a mission to reduce barriers to healthcare for rangatahi in low-decile schools, clinicians in the Waikato SBHS are using a collaborative care model that is improving health outcomes and engagement for students and their whānau.