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NEWS

Important news & updates from Pinnacle

New journal article highlights the ‘seen and unseen’ work of general practice
Pinnacle Incorporated | 20/02/2026

A new Journal of Primary Health Care article from the RNZCGP’s Your Work Counts project has quantified what general practice teams have long known: a large share of GP work happens outside the consultation room.

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People Practices Advocacy
Shaping the future: Thoughts on the Physician Associate consultation
Jo Scott-Jones | 11/02/2026

In his latest blog post, Dr Jo Scott-Jones shares his thoughts on what general practice needs from Physician Associate regulation to enable effective, safe teamwork that supports high-quality patient care. The Medical Council consultation closes 16 February 2026.

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Practice development
Navigating disruption: Lessons from a slip
Jo Scott-Jones | 29/01/2026

In his latest blog post, Dr Jo Scott-Jones reflects on his experiences travelling between Gisborne and Ōpōtiki during a recent land slip, sharing the lessons it offered about preparedness, connection, and how unexpected disruption can sharpen our learning.

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Preventative care
Pinnacle comments on approval of new PHO
Pinnacle Incorporated | 23/12/2025

Pinnacle has noted the approval of a new primary health organisation, thePHO, and says practices should have genuine choice about who represents them. At the same time, Pinnacle believes this decision raises concerns about the timing and wider impact on population health.

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Practices Membership
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PIN POINTS

Clinical & management notices from the sector

Waikato expressions of interest open: Hāpu māmā & child health after-hours / weekend clinics
Waikato | Clinical | 25/02/2026

Building on last year's success, Pinnacle is inviting Waikato general practices to deliver after-hours and weekend clinics focused on immunisations, Before School Checks, and holistic support for hāpu māmā and tamariki. Clinics must be delivered by 30 June 2026. Find out more here and express your interest by contacting Catherine Tobin by Thursday 12 March.

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Amtech Medical Limited rebrands as YesMed
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Clinical | Management | 25/02/2026

Amtech Medical Limited has rebranded as YesMed, effective 17 February 2026. There are no changes to ownership, management, or services, it's a brand update only. Read more.

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Te Whatu Ora update on contingent capitation data sharing requirements
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Management | 20/02/2026

Te Whatu Ora has extended the National Primary Care Dataset practice opt-off deadline to 31 March 2026, following sector feedback and a cyber breach that highlighted the need for stronger assurance processes. A simplified data access agreement will be shared with the sector by the end of February for review. Read more here.

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Have your say: Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard 2026 review
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Clinical | 19/02/2026

The Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard — the framework that sets safety and quality expectations across a wide range of health and disability services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Have your say in this short consultation and help shape the future of the Standard. Consultation closes 16 March.

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Changes to immunisation funding, implementation update
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Clinical | 19/02/2026

Te Whatu Ora has shared an update on changes to immunisation funding, which came into effect as part of the annual PHO services agreement uplift from 1 July 2025. The update also covers recent immunisation funding back payments that practices or providers may have received.

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ACC medical certification dashboard now live
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Clinical | 18/02/2026

ACC has launched a new medical certification dashboard, giving practices and certifying providers an easy way to review and benchmark their practice data against peers across the mahi of getting patients back to work and independence. It's a useful tool for reflection and self-audit, and it counts toward RNZCGP CPD points. Read more about how to access and use the dashboard on the ACC website.

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New post immunisation wait times
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Clinical | 18/02/2026

The standard post-vaccination wait time is now 15 minutes across all vaccines in Aotearoa New Zealand. This applies to all age groups and all vaccines, whether given alone or at the same time as other vaccines. Wait times can be increased on an individual basis as deemed appropriate by the vaccinator OR reduced to 5 minutes, when the criteria in the attached is met.

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Nipah virus cases in India, risk to Aotearoa very low
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Taranaki | Waikato | Clinical | 11/02/2026

The World Health Organisation has reported two cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India, with no evidence of international spread and very low risk to Aotearoa. Travellers to affected areas should avoid contact with sick animals (especially fruit bats and pigs), raw date palm juice, and unwashed fruit, while practicing good hand hygiene. Read the National Public Health Service advisory for full details.

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New sepsis guidance now available
Tairāwhiti | Lakes | Waikato | Clinical | 11/02/2026

Alongside Te Whata Kura, the new national antimicrobial guideline for Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission has published new national guidance for the recognition and initial management of sepsis in community and hospital settings. Useful pathway posters for adults and children outline red and amber flags plus the "Sepsis Six" actions. Community HealthPathways will be updated to align with this guidance soon.

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QUICK LINKS

Looking for something?

NZ Shores immigration and recruitment support
Go to external link
Annual Performance Report 2024–2025
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Pinnacle workforce survey reports 2023
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Dynamed
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Midlands Region Community Health Pathways
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Pharmac medicine notices
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EMA contact details
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EAP Services
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RNZCGP website
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NZMC standards webpage
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Pinnacle Facebook GP discussion group
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Pinnacle Facebook practice manager discussion group
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Pinnacle Facebook nurses discussion group
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EVENTS

Professional development opportunities

Primary Options drop-in session
Date: 26 February 2026
Audience: GP | Nurse | Nurse practitioner | Practice/business manager | Administrator

This session is aimed at going over a handful of the Primary Options programmes, letting you know about any updates and answering questions you have about the service.

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Heidi in practice: A practical guide for practice managers
Date: 26 February 2026
Audience: Practice/business manager

For those who can't make the in-person session in Hamilton, Health Accelerator is hosting practice / business manager-specific virtual sessions.

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LARCs/Ring pessary education
Date: 02 March 2026
Audience: GP | Nurse | Nurse practitioner

Pinnacle is running a series of LARCs education evenings across the region in March 2026. These sessions are open to all clinical general practice staff and will offer introductory training on the insertion of both Mirena and Jadelle contraception devices, alongside the use of ring pessaries.

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RESOURCES

Useful links, documents and resources

B4 School Check resources (Waikato)
Published: 24/02/2026 | 18 files | Document | Website

This page holds resources to support training and delivery of the B4 School Check in Waikato.

View resource | Download files
Resources on population health and wellbeing now available
Published: 16/02/2026 | 9 files | Document

A new suite of population health and wellbeing resources have been developed to support general practice and district teams. These reports bring together district insights, data and practical considerations to help inform planning, service development and equity-focused improvement.

View resource | Download files
New Pinnacle practice membership benefit: Immigration and recruitment support for our network
Published: 16/02/2026 | 2 links

Pinnacle has partnered with NZ Shores to offer a streamlined recruitment and immigration service for general practices across our network. NZ Shores is a specialist immigration and recruitment agency that assists employers and skilled migrants in navigating New Zealand’s immigration system, bringing a smooth and compliant process for hiring internationally trained professionals.

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Taranaki
47 Molesworth Street
New Plymouth 4310
+64 6 759 4364
Tairāwhiti
Level 1
295-299 Gladstone Road (entrance via Cobden Street)
Gisborne 4010
PO Box 1188
Gisborne 4040
06 863 2661
Lakes
Level 1
95 Te Heuheu Street
Taupō 3330
PO Box 1716
Taupō 3351
+64 7 376 0060
Waikato
Norris Ward McKinnon House
Level 3
711 Victoria Street
Hamilton 3204
PO Box 983
Hamilton 3240
+64 7 839 2888
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Copyright © 2026 Pinnacle Incorporated
Privacy policy Terms & conditions Practice update dashboard
Copyright © 2026 Pinnacle Incorporated
Privacy policy Terms & conditions Practice update dashboard