Te Whatu Ora is implementing mandatory national criteria for Community Referred Radiology from 1 September, 2025. Referrals not meeting these guidelines will be declined. This is intended to standardise access to imaging across Aotearoa and improve equity of care.

You can now find quick links to Continuing Medical Education (CME) and the Professional Development pathway on the right-hand side of the HealthPathways site. Just above the CME page link, you’ll also see a link to BMJ Best Practice. Te Whatu Ora has written a short guide with instructions on how to access BMJ via HealthPathways, along with a support contact if you need assistance. 

From October 2025, BreastScreen Aotearoa will begin extending free breast screening to women up to age 74 (Nelson/Marlborough began as a pilot in 2024). The rollout will be phased in gradually, with full implementation by 2029. This is the first age extension in over 20 years and is expected to save an additional 22 lives each year through earlier detection and treatment.

From 15 August-10 November 2025, the Stratford x-ray facility and service is unavailable while the old x-ray equipment is upgraded to a new digital unit. To ensure continuity of care, additional appointments are available at Taranaki Base Hospital, Hawera Hospital and Waitara Healthcare Centre.

This eight week course comprises 150 hours of learning equating to approximately 10 hours of study per week. The aim of this micro credential is to develop participant's proficiency in the principles, knowledge and practice of trauma informed care, when caring for people with multidimensional experiences of trauma, and their whānau.

Implementation of the FIT for Symptomatic clinical pathway in the Waikato took place 11 August. Supporting documents are available to ensure you and your patients have the information needed.

Pinnacle-wide Te Whatu Ora updates regarding the Community Referred Radiology (CRR) Programme, dengue fever and the latest new and updated HealthPathways pathways.

From September 2025, all children under five can receive the fully funded meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero), allowing those who missed doses in their first year to complete the course. Around 77,000 children are expected to benefit.
Pharmac is also simplifying access to funded Covid medications—people over 50, and those at risk of complications, can receive treatment from 1 September, alongside continued access for immunocompromised and vulnerable people under 50.

Te Kaunihera Manapou | Paramedic Council is exploring the possibility of paramedics in Aotearoa New Zealand gaining prescribing authority. The Council is seeking early feedback from paramedics, stakeholders across the health sector, and the public on how familiar you are with prescribing, your level of support, and safeguards or training you think are needed.

Te Whatu Ora is pleased to share three new funding opportunities to grow and support the primary and community care nursing workforce. These new funding opportunities aim to support new nurses to start their careers in the community, grow the pipeline of nurse practitioners and increase access to prescribing and advanced nursing care.