The Mental Health Foundation has commissioned research to explore community wellbeing in the aftermath of the extreme weather events in 2023, including Cyclone Gabrielle. SIR Research is currently conducting online, phone, and postal surveys in a variety of locations including Tairāwhiti and Thames-Coromandel. People are encouraged to participate whether or not they have been directly impacted by the extreme weather events. The survey is anonymous, takes 10-15 minutes and participants will have a chance to win one of three $200 Prezzy cards.

The Taranaki Regional Screening Unit can now be reached on a shorter email address: RSU@tdhb.org.nz. A revised outreach referral form has also been developed. To ensure the correct process is managed please use this new form.

Sharon Macpherson, nurse practitioner and senior lecturer at the University of Waikato, is undertaking PhD research on the role of nursing practitioners within primary and secondary services. Sharon would like to interview nurse practitioners and general practitioners within primary care on their thoughts on the role, differences, and similarities in terms of patient characteristics, patient conditions seen, and where the future can be with nurse practitioners within an Aotearoa New Zealand context. If you can assist with this, a Teams link will be set up for a time you are available.

The Government has passed legislation bringing back 90-day trials for all employers. The bill was the same as the 2011 bill.

Read about the Taranaki diabetes integrated team referral criteria change, BPAC pathway change and vacancies and reduced services.

The Fair Pay Agreements (FPA) legislation has been repealed with effect from 20 December 2023. Information from MBIE has been provided as to the next steps for employers and employees.

The voluntary bonding scheme is run by Te Whatu Ora to encourage newly qualified health professionals to work in the communities and specialties that need them most, and to retain essential health professionals within Aotearoa New Zealand. Those on the scheme can receive payments to help repay their student loan (or as top-up income for those without a loan). As part of the regular annual review of the scheme, and delivering on the Workforce Plan 2023/24, Te Whatu Ora has expanded the voluntary bonding scheme.

As Te Whatu Ora has been moving to the new National Cervical Screening Programme and the Aotearoa Immunisation Programme, many tasks are now automated. The AIR system obtains regular enrolment updates from the National Enrolment Service (NES) so the “transfer in and out form” will no longer be required to be completed. The connection between NCSP and NES has been experiencing minor technical issues. Is an interim, and if possible, until February 2024 Te Whatu Ora would appreciate if you could continue to send them cervical transfers only. 

The workforce development programme for gender affirming healthcare is coming soon, and you can now register your interest in a training for your region or your practice. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this part of medicine.

Restrictions stopping potential donors of blood and plasma who have lived in the UK are about to be lifted. Earlier this year, the NZ Blood Service made a submission to Medsafe asking to drop the restriction, which has been approved. The change will take effect in the next 6-8 weeks’ time. Anyone who hasn’t been able to donate as a result of this restriction can now register their interest to donate