Recently, many MedTech patient management system practices have been having difficulty accessing HealthPathways via BPAC. Te Whatu Ora has provided this One Point Lesson as a solution to resolve this issue.

The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) has been made aware of a number of deep fakes promoting fake "diabetes medications" that are using NZSSD members names, faces, and voices. NZSSD is warning people with type 2 diabetes to be cautious about health advice on social media, especially videos that appear to be from New Zealand doctors.

The University of Waikato is offering a specialised primary, community and rural pathway as part of their postgraduate programme in Health Science, commencing in Trimester B, 2025 with HLTSC561 - Primary Healthcare Practice.

Funding is now available for primary care, community, and rural health providers who are committed to supporting graduate registered nurses (RN) as they transition into practice. To be eligible for placement funding, employers must employ a graduate RN, provide preceptorship and clinical support, and hire the graduate RN for a minimum of 0.6 FTE for a period of 12 months or more.

There is only a short time left for practices to claim their six-week immunisations under the pre-call/recall funding initiative. Data from the Aotearoa Immunisation Register (AIR) suggests there are number of six-week immunisations currently un-claimed. This funding aims to support practices with the time and effort required to undertake good pre-call/recall processes, and where required, referral to outreach or other vaccination service providers.

The Assisted Dying service is sharing this update about the service specifications, payments and process in the hope of stimulating interest in doctors and nurse practitioners in becoming providers. As with all end of life care, this is complex work that can be incredibly rewarding. Dr Jo is happy to have a conversation with individuals or teams about the Assisted Dying service.

From 1 June Pathlab will only accept referrals via an online form. Pinnacle is approaching Pathlab to ask if they would consider developing a BPAC referral form.

New guidance has been published on the prevention of rheumatic fever. There are many changes in this comprehensive document from previous guidelines, with much more emphasis on equity, and social determinants of health and their impact, and how those risks can be mitigated. There are also changes to the guidance on the identification and management of strep A infections. Read more here and on our new rheumatic fever resources page.

On 1 July 2025, Te Whatu Ora is moving the courses currently available on LearnOnline to their two main learning sites – Ko Awatea Learn and healthLearn. If you have completed training on LearnOnline and wish to have a record of completion and any associated certificates, please log into LearnOnline before 30 June 2025 and download them.

The New Zealand Psychologists Board is now consulting on the development of a regulatory framework for a new scope of practice, currently being referred to as Assistant / Associate Psychologist. View the full consultation document, feedback form and plain language summary here on our website. You can provide your feedback using the online survey or via email to the New Zealand Psychologists Board. The consultation is open until 16 June 2025.