Te Whatu Ora Taranaki has appointed Rose Heron as the region's first sexual health contact tracer, a role established under the government's 2023 HIV Action Plan. The action plan set an ambitious goal to eliminate local HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths by 2030, and the recruitment of contact tracers across the country is a key part of that work. This service is free and based at the Sexual Health Clinic on Powderham Street, where Rose works on Fridays.
Rose's role focuses on supporting people who have tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and have consented to follow-up contact. Approximately one week after treatment, she will check in on symptom resolution and discuss partner notification. For anyone who would prefer not to notify their own contacts, Rose can do this on their behalf — always with strict confidentiality and no disclosure of identifying case details.
As a newly established role, a formal referral pathway is still being developed. In the meantime, clinicians are welcome to refer patients via email. Management of HIV exposures will continue to be led by the HIV clinical nurse specialist, with Rose working closely alongside to support broader STI transmission reduction across the region.
This week the Pinnacle Incorporated Executive Committee has written to Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health and Labour MPs across the Midland region asking them to reconsider lowering the screening age for Māori and Pacific people.
Read morePathlab is changing its coeliac disease testing algorithm and will no longer perform upfront total IgA testing on all coeliac requests. From 11 November 2025, total IgA will only be added when results suggest possible IgA deficiency, with anti-DGP IgG continuing to be added automatically when IgA is <0.05 g/L. This updated approach aligns with published evidence and current practice at Canterbury Health Laboratories.
Read moreThe B4 School Check (B4SC) is a universal, comprehensive check for all four-year-old’s that includes height and weight, vision and hearing, immunisations, oral health, and behavioral and developmental components.
View detailsNational Cervical Screening Programme screening updates.