News

College

College releases Profile of New Zealand General Practices in 2007
The College has released its profile of New Zealand general practices. The report compares information collected from the College’s Cornerstone Practice Accreditation Programme and previously collected data, and documents some of the changes which have occurred since the introduction of the Primary Health Care Strategy, and PHOs. Among the many areas covered are funding arrangements, ownership of general practices, average numbers of consulting rooms, and methods used by practices for collecting patient information. The report – the ninth in a series of occasional papers – can be found here.

Wall to wall meetings
The College executive and all three standing committees of Council met last week. It was described as a 'prolific' three days.

Education Convention Friday
The two-day Education Convention begins Friday in Wellington, being opened by the Minister of Tertiary Education, Pete Hodgson. More than 170 will attend a mixture of keynote sessions and workshops. GPEP1 clinical director Dr Jacqui Virtue has reported more than 32 new teachers have joined the team this year.

Sector

Minister announces potential change in primary/secondary interface
Health Minister David Cunliffe’s announcement Sunday of $160 million in elective services funding includes some changes which could potentially have a significant impact on primary care.

“We’ve been working towards this for a long time,” said College president Dr Jonathan Fox in a release to all media. His release is here, and you might want to check out this link, which shows just How Long.

When the current 14 Ministry of Health pilot schemes conclude next year the Ministry of Health will finetune changes to improve patient pathways in diagnostics, especially for ultrasound scans. Here is a link to the Minister’s press announcement
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/budget+2008+thousands+more+patients+receive+elective+services.

Also check out Cunliffe’s speech notes from Friday’s Elective Services Workshop:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/elective+services+%e2%80%93+investing+health+nzers

Health inequalities examined in new book
A new work on Kiwi health inequalities has hit the book shelves. Published by Otago University Press, ‘Understanding Health Inequalities in Aotearoa New Zealand’ attempts to do exactly as its title says, plus assess practical efforts made to reduce the inequalities in question. Contributors to the book come from a wide range of disciplines, and include medical professionals, researchers, policy makers, community leaders and economists. Edited by senior Otago University lecturer Kevin Dew and PhD student Anna Matheson, Understanding Health Inequalities is available for $45.

Immunisation update available
The Ministry of Health has released a Health Provider Booklet updating immunisation information. The 60-page booklet contains info about the 2008 National Immunisation Schedule. Among other things, the booklet includes information on new vaccines and the HPV programme, vaccine ordering and what to do with old vaccines - plus an update on immunisation resources available for providers and parents. The booklet should be used in conjunction with the 2006 Immunisation Handbook 2006, and can be found here:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/2008-national-immunisation-schedule-health-provider-booklet

Prescriptions down, Antibiotic campaign up
A continuing downward trend in prescriptions for the most commonly used antibiotics is “extremely good news”, according to Pharmac Medical Director, GP Peter Moodie. Launching the annual ‘Wise of Use of Antibiotics’ campaign last week, Dr Moodie said that there had been 25,000 less prescriptions amongst those under 18 years old during winter 2007, compared with the previous year. The aim of the Antibiotics campaign, which is supported by the College, is to ensure that patient’s receive treatment that is most appropriate to their illness, saving antibiotics for when they are really needed. The press release:
http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2008/05/13/Antibiotics%202008%20Launch%20media%20release%20-%20Prescribing%20decline.pdf

Fantastic funding formula found for formulary
You may not know what the word formulary means, although this week Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne announced that the Government will invest $8.8 million into developing and maintaining a national medicines pharmaceutical database over the next four years. GPs will be able to use the online formulary to get up to date information on dosage, adverse reactions and interactions, contraindications, alerts, and whether the medicine in question is listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. The Minister’s press release:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/dunne+88+million+over+4+years+support+best+practice+prescribing

Jonathan Fox, President, RNZCGP

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Consultation

Sector

Closing Friday
Pharmac - widened access to fentanyl patches

Pharmac is seeking feedback over a proposal to fully subsidise a new brand of fentanyl medicated patches. Fentanyl is currently funded only via a special authority for terminally ill patients who are responsive to opioids, but unable to take oral medication or morphine. The intention is to introduce the Fensic brand of patches, including a new lower strength, and remove the Special Authority requirement. Under the proposal, the currently listed fentanyl brand Durogesic would still be subsidised until at least next July, with Fensic taking over until mid 2011. For more information go to:
http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2008/04/23/2008-04-23%20PHARMAC%20consultation%20on%20fentanyl%20patch%20proposal.pdf

Closing Friday
HISO seeks ePharmacy input
The New Zealand Health Information Standards Organisation (HISO) is seeking input on two new documents. HISO, a subcommittee of HISAC, is working on developing standards for ePharmacy in the areas of both drugs and electronic messages. The hope is to establish an electronic pharmaceutical list of medicines that can be used by prescribers and pharmacists alike. The College will be making a submission. We welcome your comments at policy@rnzcgp.org.nz The two documents can be found here: http://www.hisac.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagescm/7442

Deadline: 9 June
Pharmac in the land of Herceptin

Pharmac is seeking feedback over their decision to decline funding for 12 months’ Herceptin. Pharmac also plans face to face meetings with interested parties, including breast cancer groups and women’s health groups. They may also delay a decision if new information expected in June proves relevant. Check out Pharmac’s extensive media releases on the topic for more - or else this link to the consultation document, likely the longest link we’ve seen this year:
http://www.pharmac.govt.nz/2008/05/05/Proposal%20regarding%20the%20funding%20of%2012%20months%20treatment%20with%20trastuzumab%20for%20HER%202%20positive%20breast%20cancer.pdf

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Wonca Daily Alerts

Journal Watch

• Would children admitted to hospital benefit influenza vaccination?
• Individuals with chronic kidney disease frequently display risk factors for foot ulceration
• Carotid bruits are a prognostic indicator of increased risk of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction
• Noncitrus fresh fruit intake has a significant protective effect against high body iron status
• Personal hair dye use may play a role in risks of lymphoma in women
• Worldwide, about 13·5% of the global total premature deaths were attributed to prehypertension and hypertension

Clinical Reviews

• Physiotherapy for urinary incontinence outline
• A review of hormonal therapy for female pattern (androgenic) alopecia

CME

Herpes not the kiss of death

The virus that causes genital herpes is common, treatable and the butt of many jokes. The NZ Herpes Foundation is about to launch an education campaign to destigmatise herpes by getting across the basic facts about the condition. Among other things, the campaign aims to clarify common misconceptions about facial and genital forms of herpes. The Foundation will be mailing out an info pack next week to GPs across the country, which will include posters, postcards and the leaflet 'Herpes: Myth Versus Fact'. Public seminars on the later theme will take place at 7pm as follows, with Foundation manager Claire Hurst speaking alongside the director of each city's Sexual Health Service: 

28 May - Auckland  - Ellerslie Park Function Centre
3 June - Wellington - Mercure Hotel
4 June -Christchurch - Chateaux on the Park

Talking about long-term conditions

The Ministry of Health's Long-Term Conditions team are having workshops to hear from those who work daily with people who have long-term conditions, or have an interest in the subject. Each session will last about two hours, and the workshop dates are as follows:

Wellington - 28 May   10am     Wellington Arts Centre
                              1.30pm  Pataka Museum Porirua
Auckland   -  5 June   10am     Athol Syms Community Hall
                              1.30pm  Te Atatu Community Hall
Christchurch -6 June  10am    Convention Centre
Dunedin    - 10 June  10am    Dunedin Centre
Whangarei - 12 June  10am    Forum North

For more details contact carolyn_bevege@moh.govt.nz

BMJ Online at your fingertips
Check out some of the finest online CME in the world at BMJ Online, now available to you free through the College. In order to gain access to BMJ Learning, you will need a keycode. To get this code, send us an email to bmj@rnzcgp.org.nz. The email should contain your name, your College membership number and/or your NZ Medical Council number. Once we have received your email, we will send you the access code and instructions of how to join the BMJ learning service as soon as possible. Working in conjunction with the British Medical Journal, BMJ Learning offers a range of learning resources which deal with everyday issues in primary care, general practice and hospital medicine. BMJ learning currently offers over 500 evidence-based learning modules, which are regularly updated.

Conferences

RNZCGP Conferences Page

WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference combined with the RACGP 51st Annual Scientific Convention
Hosted by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia www.wonca2008.com

Family doctors, general practitioners and all those interested in the practice of family medicine are invited to Melbourne, Australia for the WONCA 2008 Asia Pacific Regional Conference combined with the RACGP 51st Annual Scientific Convention 1–5 October 2008. Our conference theme, ‘A celebration of diversity’ explores the wide ranging, all encompassing nature of our profession in providing primary care to our patients, communities and nations, in the multicultural city of Melbourne. Come and participate in a high quality professional program in first class conference facilities. Cosmopolitan Melbourne offers a unique international mix, reflected in the diversity of food, cultures, languages and lifestyles, and promises an unforgettable conference experience.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners looks forward to welcoming you to Melbourne in 2008.

Contact details: The Meeting Planners
Phone: 1300 199 691 (within Australia) +61 2 9285 0890 (international)
Fax: +61 2 9275 0880 Email: wonca2008@meetingplanners.com.au
Website: www.wonca2008.com

Sydney GPCE primary care - General Practitioner Conference & Exhibition
23-24 May, Sydney Showground Olympic Park, Australia

Programme covers a wide range of topics relevant to clinical general practice, with workshops providing practical skills in assessment and management of common problems.
Register online at www.gpce.com.au

WPA & WONCA Thematic Conference Depression and other Common Mental Disorders in Primary Care
18-21 June, Granada, Spain - not so far from famous Moorish citadel the Alhambra
Information now also available at the conference website, www.wpa2008granada.org, where proposals and registration can be submitted.  

GP CME 2008
19-22 June, Energy Events Centre, Rotorua
In conjunction with the NZMA. The programme provides a wide general practice update, with short, sharp and to the point practical content. Practical workshops across a spectrum of GP content, including pre-conference optional half-day courses. A dedicated Registered Nurses programme runs on 21 June. Details of the draft programme are available at http://www.gpcme.co.nz/.  Or contact leon@conferencematters.co.nz for further details.

Public Health Association Conference

2-4 July, Copthorne Hotel, Waitangi
Tapu…Noa…Environmental, Physical or both, a Maori concept that suggests health is influenced by many factors across social, cultural, political and physical environments. For example how rural realities versus urbanisation, and how the place of Te Tiriti and the contribution of other sectors affect our health. For further info: http://www.pha.org.nz/conference/PHACONF2008CallforAbstracts.pdf

9^th International Mental Health Conference
14-16 August, Holiday Inn, Gold Coast, Australia

Managing the Psychologically-injured worker - research, knowledge and practice.
Conference Website: http://www.gcimh.com.au/conference/
Note: Abstract Submissions due by 14 March. http://astmanagement.com.au/gcimhforms/MH_Abstract.asp

Annual Conference of the New Zealand Psychological Society
29 - 31 August 2008, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Christchurch
The conference theme Wellbeing: Individual, Organisational, Community has a focus on the cultural, psychosocial and physical wellbeing of people as members of families/whanau, communities, organisations and society. Enquiries: Conference@psychology.org.nz
For further information about submissions, programme details and registrations visit our website www.psychology.org.nz

Sixth Greek Legal and Medical Conference - Masterclass 2008

Place: Melbourne
Venue: Windsor Hotel, 15 November 2008
Contact: Eugenia Mitrakas
Tel: +61396902033
Fax: +613 9696 2937
Email: eugenia@greekconference.com.au Website: www.greekconference.com.au