It has been a tough year for health, and primary care in particular, but we are pleased to have identified opportunities to improve the way we fund our practices.
Read moreIn response to the voices of the network captured in the Pinnacle Workforce Survey 2023, Pinnacle would like to offer registered health professionals from within the network an opportunity to upskill in mentoring and supervision. We invite you to register your interest before 5pm, Friday 17 January.
Read moreThe Pinnacle offices will close to a skeleton staff from 5pm, Friday 20 December and re-open on Wednesday 8 January 2025. View specific team dates and information here.
Read morePinnacle is excited to reopen Kia Puāwai (our Māori and Pasifika Education Fund) for 2025. This fund, with a value of $15,000 (up to $5,000 each for up to three people), has been created to tautoko the continuous development and career progression of our Māori, and now also Pasifika, workforce.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreFrom 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.
Read moreThis 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.
Read moreTe Whatu Ora's Sexual Health Clinic will be closed between 20 December and 6 January 2025.
Read morePathlab 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.
Read moreThe following testing criteria should apply during periods of high pertussis activity. For any local outbreaks, a testing strategy should be determined in conjunction with the local public health service.
Read moreAIR 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.
Read moreTe Whatu Ora has received notice of further strike action by members of the NZNO union. This means nurses, healthcare assistants and some midwives who are union members and employed by Te Whatu Ora at Rotorua and Taupō Hospitals will be undertaking a further full withdrawal of labour on Friday 13 December from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. They will also be undertaking a full withdrawal of labour on Tuesday 17 December from 1pm to 5pm involving all hospitals across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read moreIn November, Te Whatu Ora announced funding for the primary and community sector to support the placement of 200 new graduate registered nurses (RN) into employment.
Read moreB4 School Check refresher course (1-hour session) for registered nurse providers who have previously completed the two-day B4SC training.
View eventThe Ministry of Health has introduced standards for B4SC training, recommending 24 hours of initial training for new B4SC nurses. The assessments as well as supervised practice makes up for the hours uncounted. This training is for Waikato region only.
View eventThe Pan-PHO primary care diabetes team (Pinnacle, Hauraki PHO and National Hauora Coalition) is running a Q&A evening event for all Eastern Waikato providers.
View eventFollowing the Te Whatu Ora announcement of a Pertussis national epidemic Pinnacle has compiled information and resources for practice teams.
The Immunisation Handbook provides clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
With the change to indici claiming for some services, the eligibililty criteria is automated wherever possible. Find out how to adding the patient’s domicile DHB to their enrolment page to ensure they are recognised as eligible.