The Enrolments and Eligibility Contact Centre has proposed a revised process for verifying identity information, such as name or gender changes, or where two individuals’ identities may have accidentally been overlayed. The revised process will allow the contact centre to send an email to the practice manager requesting the clarifying information. Te Whatu Ora request practices update them with the email address they wish to be contacted on.

Rural practices who applied for the Rural ACC contract should have received a signed agreement from ACC confirming  your contract number and effective start date (1 July 2024). If your practice provides out of hours services, remember to reply to ACC to activate the ‘After Hours Codes’ which are paid at a higher rate in Table 3. You have to ‘opt in’ to have this table activated. 

On 24 June, Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello introduced a Bill to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act. The repeal Bill had its first reading in Parliament on 27 June. This was the first opportunity for MPs to debate and vote on the Bill. The Bill has now been referred to the Health Committee and the Committee has called for submissions from the public. Submissions close submissions is 29 July.

Practice managers are encouraged to participate in the General Practice Workforce and Cost Survey, currently being conducted by Sapere on behalf of Te Whatu Ora. Your input will help develop a capitation formula that better aligns with actual needs. The survey will close midnight, 10 July.

Due to manufacturing problems internationally, there is currently an issue with the supply of blood culture bottles. This may mean Pathlab will receive marginally less than their normal allocation of bottles for distribution for at least the next three months.

Phishing emails are currently targeting New Zealand organisations.

DORA (Digital On-Road Access) is promoting the benefits of having online access to your personal health information and can support people to use their smartphones, tablets and computers to access that information online. Waikato patients can drop-in to get support with their health app, tips for staying safe online and tech help with their smartphone or tablet.

Following recent cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza/HPAI (also commonly known as avian flu or bird flu) in humans in the US and Australia, this information provides an update on the disease, the health preparedness measures underway, and guidance for clinicians. Currently the overall public health risk of avian influenza A (H5N1) to Aotearoa New Zealand is currently low.

An Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago research study aims to develop tools and resources to increase vaccination of Māori and Pacific women in pregnancy. The research group is wanting to interview more practice nurses who deliver these vaccinations to hapū māmā, particularly in practices with high Māori and Pacific populations. Participation involves a one-hour kōrero via Zoom and participants will receive a $50 supermarket voucher as a thank you.

The primary care clinical leader's forum meets every two weeks for an hour and is an opportunity for clinical leaders across the system to get together to collaborate, co-operate and reduce duplication of work.