Building on last year's success, Pinnacle is inviting Waikato general practices to deliver after-hours and weekend clinics focused on immunisations, Before School Checks, and holistic support for hāpu māmā and tamariki. Clinics must be delivered by 30 June 2026. Find out more here and express your interest by contacting Catherine Tobin by Thursday 12 March.

Amtech Medical Limited has rebranded as YesMed, effective 17 February 2026. There are no changes to ownership, management, or services, it's a brand update only. Read more.

Te Whatu Ora has extended the National Primary Care Dataset practice opt-off deadline to 31 March 2026, following sector feedback and a cyber breach that highlighted the need for stronger assurance processes. A simplified data access agreement will be shared with the sector by the end of February for review. Read more here.

The Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard — the framework that sets safety and quality expectations across a wide range of health and disability services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Have your say in this short consultation and help shape the future of the Standard. Consultation closes 16 March.

Te Whatu Ora has shared an update on changes to immunisation funding, which came into effect as part of the annual PHO services agreement uplift from 1 July 2025. The update also covers recent immunisation funding back payments that practices or providers may have received.

ACC has launched a new medical certification dashboard, giving practices and certifying providers an easy way to review and benchmark their practice data against peers across the mahi of getting patients back to work and independence. It's a useful tool for reflection and self-audit, and it counts toward RNZCGP CPD points. Read more about how to access and use the dashboard on the ACC website.

The standard post-vaccination wait time is now 15 minutes across all vaccines in Aotearoa New Zealand. This applies to all age groups and all vaccines, whether given alone or at the same time as other vaccines. Wait times can be increased on an individual basis as deemed appropriate by the vaccinator OR reduced to 5 minutes, when the criteria in the attached is met.

The World Health Organisation has reported two cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India, with no evidence of international spread and very low risk to Aotearoa. Travellers to affected areas should avoid contact with sick animals (especially fruit bats and pigs), raw date palm juice, and unwashed fruit, while practicing good hand hygiene. Read the National Public Health Service advisory for full details.

Alongside Te Whata Kura, the new national antimicrobial guideline for Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission has published new national guidance for the recognition and initial management of sepsis in community and hospital settings. Useful pathway posters for adults and children outline red and amber flags plus the "Sepsis Six" actions. Community HealthPathways will be updated to align with this guidance soon.

Significant dengue outbreaks across the Pacific have resulted in 86 cases in Aotearoa so far in 2026, with 75 linked to Cook Islands travel. Consider dengue if your patient is a recent traveller to a Pacific Island and presents with flu-like illness, rash, or gastrointestinal symptoms and watch for warning signs of severe illness. Advise travellers to use DEET mosquito repellent, and refer to Community HealthPathways for full management details.