While the dollars are certainly promised in this record pledge to New Zealand’s health system, Justin Butcher, Pinnacle acting chief executive, isn’t breathing a full sigh of relief just yet.

Waikato people are quitting smoking in higher numbers than just about anywhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the statistics are particularly positive for Māori and pregnant women in the region.

For the past three decades, Kāwhia’s medical needs have been serviced by Dr John Burton and wife Sue, a qualified medical lab technician. Credit: Brianna Stewart, King Country News

Today Health Minister Andrew Little announced the first nine locality network pilots to improve how healthcare is delivered in local communities. We’re excited to share that Taupō/Tūrangi and Hauraki have been selected in this pilot phase.

Clayton Kohatu (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngāti Maniapoto) is clearly driven by his kaupapa, and it’s that kaupapa that brings him to our Pinnacle waka as the new network lead for Tairāwhiti.

Join our next intake for Practice Plus, so you can offer your patients an extended after-hours service with a trusted virtual provider. Reduce the demand on your workforce at no cost to your practice!

Pinnacle chief executive Helen Parker has given the Board early notice that she will be moving to France in mid-September 2022. 

Registrations of interest are now open for community representatives on the Midlands Regional Health Network Charitable Trust Board.

Sue van Mierlo is a nurse practitioner working as part of the Lakes Extended Care Team. In her role she supports people to self-manage long-term conditions and diseases, including managing diabetes. A large number of her clients are Māori.

Pinnacle is partnering with Waikato University, Hauraki and ProCare PHOs to explore inequities in prescribing for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in primary care. Please OPT OUT before 8 April 2022 if you do not want your practice data included in the study.