Due to workload increase and capacity constraints in Pathlab's refrigerated stockyard, they are no longer able to store blood samples for the previous duration of seven days. Effective immediately, serum samples will be stored for four days and EDTA samples will be stored for two days. Please ensure that any required follow-up testing or additional requests are submitted within the revised storage timeframes to avoid potential issues.

Later this year, the team at Waikato University Student Health are planning a professional development day for all general practitioners and nurse practitioners, focussed on mental health. They're looking for feedback on topics to cover during this workshop. If you have comment and/or critique on their proposed topics, please contact Steven Lillis, Student Health GP.

Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBP) has recently been detected by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and is an emerging issue in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NPHS is currently assessing the situation and gathering expert local and international opinion. Further advice will follow when available.

There has been an increase in reported vaccine errors, particularly due to the incorrect spacing of the Bexsero vaccine doses. It has been recognised that the Patient Management Systems often fail to recognise when a Bexsero dose is administered late, subsequently not accounting for the required 8-week or 6-month intervals. To assist with ensuring the correct scheduling of the Bexsero vaccine, the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) has provided an error warning document.

APEX union members will take staggered strike action between Saturday 22 and Friday 28 March, 2025.

Affecting lab testing across Te Manawa Taki, APEX union members from Awanui will walk off the job from 25 to 27 March, while Pathlab workers will go on strike from 24 to 26 March and Medlab/TLab workers from 22 to 28 March.

For the latest updates on lab services in your area, please check the website(s) of the pathology labs you use.

Consultation is currently open focused on the 50,000 disabled people, and their whānau, who receive essential disability support after an assessment from a Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) organisation, or
an Enabling Good Lives (EGL) site. Disability Support Services want to stabilise disability support services so that they are fairer, more consistent, more transparent, and sustainable into the future.

The number of ear swabs submitted to Pathlab for microbiological processing has steadily increased over the last few years. The external auditory canal is not a sterile site, and the value of microbiological culture in the routine management of otitis externa and chronic suppurative otitis media is limited. Pathlab has outlined the situations they recommend ear swabs are sent to the laboratory.

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) is requesting healthcare professionals to be alert for mpox in people who attended the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events from 14 February to 2 March 2025.

The Medical Council of New Zealand has responded to frequently asked questions about patients requesting copies of their medical records and clarified the following information.

In October 2024, Te Whatu Ora released an interim statement regarding the lifespan of pharmaceutical fridges for vaccine storage that have reached 10 years of age. The statement confirms that providers with a fridge that is reaching 10 years can continue to use the fridge and do not need to replace it as previously required. However, there is a requirement the monitoring of the vaccine fridge is changed to a remote monitoring system. Read more here.