Manatū Hauora, the Ministry of Health, will be inviting the public to share their views on the End of Life Choice Act as part of a review of the Act. The Ministry of Health administers the Act. Under the legislation, the Ministry is required to review the operation of Act within three years of it coming into force, and every five years after. The review is currently underway and will conclude in November 2024. An online portal will provide an opportunity for the public to share their views about the Act.

This six-question quickfire survey, for all healthcare professionals working in primary care, aims to understand the current use of AI in general practice. Even if you don't use AI currently, please complete the survey to inform the initial benchmark. A webpage has also been established to give easy access to AI webinars and resources.

With the winter season underway and the associated increase in respiratory virus circulation, Pathlab has provided updated guidance on diagnostic testing.

The Enrolments and Eligibility Contact Centre has proposed a revised process for verifying identity information, such as name or gender changes, or where two individuals’ identities may have accidentally been overlayed. The revised process will allow the contact centre to send an email to the practice manager requesting the clarifying information. Te Whatu Ora request practices update them with the email address they wish to be contacted on.

Rural practices who applied for the Rural ACC contract should have received a signed agreement from ACC confirming  your contract number and effective start date (1 July 2024). If your practice provides out of hours services, remember to reply to ACC to activate the ‘After Hours Codes’ which are paid at a higher rate in Table 3. You have to ‘opt in’ to have this table activated. 

On 24 June, Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello introduced a Bill to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act. The repeal Bill had its first reading in Parliament on 27 June. This was the first opportunity for MPs to debate and vote on the Bill. The Bill has now been referred to the Health Committee and the Committee has called for submissions from the public. Submissions close submissions is 29 July.

Practice managers are encouraged to participate in the General Practice Workforce and Cost Survey, currently being conducted by Sapere on behalf of Te Whatu Ora. Your input will help develop a capitation formula that better aligns with actual needs. The survey will close midnight, 10 July.

Due to manufacturing problems internationally, there is currently an issue with the supply of blood culture bottles. This may mean Pathlab will receive marginally less than their normal allocation of bottles for distribution for at least the next three months.

An Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago research study aims to develop tools and resources to increase vaccination of Māori and Pacific women in pregnancy. The research group is wanting to interview more practice nurses who deliver these vaccinations to hapū māmā, particularly in practices with high Māori and Pacific populations. Participation involves a one-hour kōrero via Zoom and participants will receive a $50 supermarket voucher as a thank you.