Pinnacle is here to support our network. Recent changes have been made to the appointment process for contract providers at PSAAP. These updates impact how your practice selects an agent to represent your interests during negotiations. We encourage you to carefully review the information about these changes. A list of organisations and agents that are offering to represent you, including Pinnacle, and the link to the contracted providers nomination form, are also provided.

Read the latest from GPNZ including a message from the chair Bryan Betty, financial stability of Primary Health Organisations, Te Whatu Ora Primary Care Development Programme, and more.

Collaborative Aotearoa has launched a survey designed to gather valuable insights from paramedics working in general practices across Aotearoa. Please share this with paramedics within your network, as their input is invaluable to this initiative.

On Tuesday 16 April, between 1.30-4.30pm, primary healthcare providers seeking to make contact with the Waikato Emergency Department, or any other hospital services, are asked to call the main switchboard number 07 839 8899. Your call will be directed to the relevant backup landline extension or pager. Please note there may be a delay in a response to this.

In this month's newsletter, EAP look at the effects of deep breathing on physical and mental health and introduce their new app habithealth+.

Ka Hono is a collegial support service facilitated by the Bay of Plenty / Waikato faculty of RNZCGP. It is open to all GPs (including non-faculty members) and all GP registrars in the GPEP program (years 1-3).

To facilitate zoledronic acid infusion referrals, the Taranaki BPAC blood transfusion/infusion referral form will be updated 27 March. Please note it looks quite different, and requires a different set of information to be obtained prior to referral, particularly with regard to zoledronic acid.

This is a free online 20 week course targeted at GPs, NPs, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and allied health professionals working in diabetes in Aotearoa.

The 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.

Offering 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.