With winter rapidly upon us, maximising the management of asthma and patient self-care makes sense for workload across the whole system. Dr Christ Tofield (GP leader in Tauranga) and his colleagues at Research Review have developed this free refresh on asthma management.

Te Whatu Ora has released a Quality Improvement Review of Breast Screening Aotearoa, which sets out the pathway to improve breast screening services across New Zealand. In particular, the review has identified ways Breast Screening Aotearoa can improve participation rates and experiences for wāhine Māori and Pacific women.

Health Payments Integrity Team (HPIT) of Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand is commencing a PHO data matching project in June. Approximately 710,000 new patients have enrolled with a PHO in Aotearoa since the last PHO eligibility data matching project was completed in 2018. Pinnacle MHN will receive a list of individuals who have been identified as ineligible, and we will work with the relevant practices to remove them from future enrolment registers before the next submission.

The team at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki's endoscopy service is reviewing patients planned for surveillance endoscopy. The Ministry of Health has recommended the 2020 Colon Polyp Surveillance Guidelines be applied retroactively. As a result, some patients will receive a letter, which will be cc’d to their practice, outlining the rationale and process for reviewing surveillance indications and stating the updated recommendations. Patients with a firm booking date are not affected.

Due to data linking topiramate to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and birth defects in children whose mothers took topiramate during pregnancy, Medsafe sent an alert communication in April regarding topiramate use in pregnancy. Te Whatu Ora Taranaki has released a guideline for use of anti-seizure medications in people of childbearing potential by the hospital-based specialists, which may be of interest.

The team at Tairāwhiti Hospital has had some success in getting ACC claims accepted for work-related gradual process injuries. If you identify this type of injury, please consider completing the ACC46 Claim Form with the patient and ensure 'work-related gradual process' is ticked.

This Medtech issue occurs when an electronic clinic note or transfer of care (TOC) is attempted to be attached to a BPAC referral - resulting in only a blank document. Medtech is aware of this issue and a workaround has been made available while they investigate.

The Te Whatu Ora pelvic mesh complications service is a national service for people born with biologically female pelvic organs, who may have been harmed by mesh implanted for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.

Hospice Waikato has recently become aware of rumours that their organisation declines to admit patients if they are not registered with a GP, or if they are registered with a GP outside the Waikato region. This is not the case.

Read the latest EAP Services newsletter focusing on navigating personal relationships. Relationships problems are the second highest reason why people access EAP services. They share a few myths that can damage relationships alongside some facts that make relationships work better.