Read the latest clinical updates for Taranaki including the opening and education session with Active+ and a database of NGOs operating within Taranaki.

The provision of extended immunisation services is part of the kaupapa to improve childhood immunisation rates by offering services at a time that suit whānau who cannot attend during regular practice hours.

These practices will offer childhood immunisations to both enrolled and non-enrolled whānau. Whānau are encouraged to contact these clinics directly to enquire about attending as booking in advance is preferable, however they will also accept walk ins.

Some users are experiencing issues with éclair eOrders, including slowness and timeouts. Pathlab has resolved most known issues but is still monitoring for others. There may be some ongoing issues for several weeks around available patient history.

Varenicline tablets (Champix) to support smoking cessation has been relisted on the pharmaceutical schedule. This medicine has been unavailable since 2021 due to manufacturing impurities which have now been rectified.

This RNZCGP and RANZCOG-approved course is designed to empower GPs and nurse practitioners to avoid overwhelm, while giving effective care to patients with persistent pelvic pain, including endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Due to workload increase and capacity constraints in Pathlab's refrigerated stockyard, they are no longer able to store blood samples for the previous duration of seven days. Effective immediately, serum samples will be stored for four days and EDTA samples will be stored for two days. Please ensure that any required follow-up testing or additional requests are submitted within the revised storage timeframes to avoid potential issues.

Later this year, the team at Waikato University Student Health are planning a professional development day for all general practitioners and nurse practitioners, focussed on mental health. They're looking for feedback on topics to cover during this workshop. If you have comment and/or critique on their proposed topics, please contact Steven Lillis, Student Health GP.

Macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBP) has recently been detected by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and is an emerging issue in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NPHS is currently assessing the situation and gathering expert local and international opinion. Further advice will follow when available.

There has been an increase in reported vaccine errors, particularly due to the incorrect spacing of the Bexsero vaccine doses. It has been recognised that the Patient Management Systems often fail to recognise when a Bexsero dose is administered late, subsequently not accounting for the required 8-week or 6-month intervals. To assist with ensuring the correct scheduling of the Bexsero vaccine, the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) has provided an error warning document.

APEX union members will take staggered strike action between Saturday 22 and Friday 28 March, 2025.

Affecting lab testing across Te Manawa Taki, APEX union members from Awanui will walk off the job from 25 to 27 March, while Pathlab workers will go on strike from 24 to 26 March and Medlab/TLab workers from 22 to 28 March.

For the latest updates on lab services in your area, please check the website(s) of the pathology labs you use.