The Special Authority criteria for Concerta and Ritalin LA has been amended. This removes the criterion allowing treatment initiation on to Concerta or Ritalin LA if unable to access Teva-ER due to supply issues. This is because all strengths of Methylphenidate ER - Teva, are available again. However supply of Concerta is now constrained.

Offering community-based support for children aged up to 16 years old, the new Tui Ora community paediatric nurse can help whānau dealing with a variety of health challenges. This new service gives priority to those aged under five years old and those who are Māori or Pasifika, with a primary care focus providing nonacute community based care. GPs can refer via referral form.

There has been a significant increase in cryptosporidiosis notifications in recent weeks. Since the start of 2024 until 8 March, there have been 262 cases across Aotearoa notified to public health services, compared to a 5-year average of 81 cases over the same time period. So far this year, 83 per cent of cases have been among people living in urban areas, primarily within Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury.

Te Whatu Ora, The University of Waikato and Health Research Council of New Zealand are looking for wāhine hapū, pregnant Māori women, who are 16 years and older and living in the Waikato, to take part in a research study to ensure their pregnancy journey is the best it can be.

For the months of July, August and September there will be no public dermatologist in Taranaki. This may cause longer than usual wait times. Please continue to refer via the usual pathways, with particular attention to using the High Suspicion of Cancer pathway for appropriate patients.

The University of Otago research team and the RNZCGP would like to understand your perspective on the potential benefits and risks of AI clinical notes tools in primary care. This survey is anonymous and will take about 10 minutes to complete (or 2 minutes if you haven’t used these AI tools). A summary of the research results will be provided to various governance groups to inform policy on the use of AI tools in clinical practice.

In May last year, the National Bowel Screening Programme focused on promoting bowel cancer screening in primary and community care settings. It was a great success, 400 practices across the rohe took part, and there was a significant increase in kit requests for priority populations. Primary care providers are invited to take part in this focus again this May.

The nationwide shortage of dental and oral health therapists continues to affect the Taranaki region. Te Whatu Ora ask for your support to help promote oral health vigilance to whānau as they continue to mitigate these issues and deliver the best healthcare possible in Taranaki. If whānau have dental queries or concerns about their tamariki, they're encouraged to contact their nearest clinic or phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).

The application deadline for the Emerging Rural Researcher and Educator Awards has been extended to Friday 15 March.

Family Planning recently rebranded as Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. Read a letter from Jackie Edmond, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Chief Executive, about this change and for background information on the name change.