The Diabetes National Clinical Network has issued updated HbA1c diagnostic thresholds to align New Zealand reporting with global standards and to support improved patient outcomes. The following changes were implemented by Pathlab on Wednesday 22 April, ahead of the Ministry of Health deadline of 1 July 2026.

Pathlab is now able to offer FIB-4 Index as a requestable test. The FIB-4 Index is used to assess the risk of liver fibrosis in patients with Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (but is not appropriate for other causes of liver disease). If using Pathlab Éclair orders, please go to the additional tab and search “FIB-4.”

In consultation with endocrinologists and paediatricians, Pathlab has recently updated reference intervals for FT3. This aligns Pathlab with Waikato Hospital Laboratory and LabPlus and includes more appropriate intervals for young paediatric patients.

Taranaki now has a dedicated sexual health contact tracer. Rose Heron is based at the Sexual Health Clinic on Powderham Street and is available to support free follow-up for patients who have tested positive for STIs and consented to contact. Referrals are welcome via email.

Te Whatu Ora is surveying health professionals across aged residential care, general practice, ambulance, community, and hospital settings about their confidence in providing palliative and end-of-life care. Your experiences will help identify workforce strengths, gaps, and priorities for future education and support. The survey is open until Friday 1 May 2026.

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners supports research and education that benefits general practice, rural general practice and rural hospital medicine through three funding rounds each year. Applications for the second funding round of 2026 open 22 April.

The age for free breast screening is being extended - starting with women who turned 70 and 74 from 1 October 2025. The age range will continue to be extended each year in October, to include all eligible women up to the age of 74 by the end of 2029.

New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) is hosting a series of webinars for the benefit of primary care.

Due to strong interest from practices, the Health Accelerator special pricing offer with Heidi has been extended for one month.

Two free online courses are coming up for health professionals wanting to strengthen their diabetes management skills. The 16-week Advanced Diabetes Management course starts 11 May, with a 3-week refresher following in September, both offering CME credits and expert-led learning. Register via the Aotearoa Diabetes Collective website.