NPHS is alerting healthcare professionals to an escalating risk of measles in people who have travelled to South-East Asia. This follows a rapid increase in imported measles cases reported in Australia since December 2024, all of which were linked to travel to this region. Cases have been reported in multiple states including Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Due to a staff vacancy, less Sexual Health Clinic appointments are currently available. Referrals from general practice are still welcomed, but please be aware patients requiring biopsy may need to be waitlisted for service. Alternatively they could be referred to other services such as dermatology, gynaecology or urology. View the updated opening hours here.

Whether you’re looking to manage your personal health and fitness or foster healthy workplace relationships, the Wellbeing Hub provides information and tools to help you tackle challenges before they become overwhelming. Sign-up to get started.

If you are an NZNO member, and studying undergraduate or postgraduate degrees or diplomas, consider applying for a scholarship through NZNO.

The 0800 IMMUNE phone line will be operating at reduced hours/capacity during the holiday period. For any urgent matters, please contact your local immunisation coordinator. If you have any concerns regarding cold chain, please quarantine vaccines and contact your local immunisation coordinator. See the 0800 IMMUNE phone line holiday hours here. 

From time-to-time patients requiring regular infusions through a long standing IV or PICC line are being managed through general practice teams, particularly in rural areas. Healthcare logistics are warning of a small increase in reported leakage from some brands of PICC line. It is timely to remember the potential complications of what can appear to be stable and well-established medical devices.

This course incorporates the latest research with specific information for the Aotearoa New Zealand context. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ are running a ‘Summer Special’ promotion until the end of February 2025 at the reduced cost of $79. 

Te Whatu Ora's Sexual Health Clinic will be closed between 20 December and 6 January 2025.

Pathlab has reported BNP levels using the Triage Method and using EDTA plasma as the preferred sample type. The current reference interval is 0-100 ng/L. From 23 December 2024, the current BNP method will be replaced by NT-proBNP. This method is more specific than BNP, as NT-proBNP has a longer half-life and is less influenced by factors like obesity or kidney function.

AIR service desk will maintain limited support during their normal hours through the summer break, except for public holidays. They will be closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January 2025.