In this month's newsletter, EAP look at the effects of deep breathing on physical and mental health and introduce their new app habithealth+.

Ka Hono is a collegial support service facilitated by the Bay of Plenty / Waikato faculty of RNZCGP. It is open to all GPs (including non-faculty members) and all GP registrars in the GPEP program (years 1-3).

To facilitate zoledronic acid infusion referrals, the Taranaki BPAC blood transfusion/infusion referral form will be updated 27 March. Please note it looks quite different, and requires a different set of information to be obtained prior to referral, particularly with regard to zoledronic acid.

This is a free online 20 week course targeted at GPs, NPs, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and allied health professionals working in diabetes in Aotearoa.

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.

Read the latest from GPNZ including a message from the chair Bryan Betty, future of PHOs discussion document, GPNZ and Collaborative Aotearoa to explore joint working, and more.

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.