• 21 July 2010

    Goods and Service Tax Changes - 2 Months To Go

    Please read below to see how the change to 15% GST may affect your dealings with the College from 1 October 2010. read more

  • 21 July 2010

    World Health Care Networks Conference- Auckland, July 22-24

    World Health Care Networks conference hosted by GPNZ and the Australian equivalent organisation, Australian GP Network, starts later this week, and is shaping up as one of the more important meetings on the crowded medical conference calendar. There are now over 550 confirmed delegates, from Australia, Canada and of course New Zealand, with more registering every day. Most of us now work in networks, be it the larger ‘IPAs’, or smaller community based models. Network supported, organised general practice offers great opportunities to deliver some of the key aspirations of our College, particularly in the quality arena. This conference gives us an opportunity to take stock of some of these changes, to learn from each other, both in New Zealand and other countries, and plan future developments. read more

  • 15 July 2010

    New College Board member

    David Moore, managing director of LECG Asia Pacific, has been appointed to the RNZCGP Board. He has extensive connections and networks in health, and policy experience of the sector. For five years, David was General Manager of Pharmac. He still serves on Pharmac’s Board, and the Crown Health Financing Agency. He also formerly ran the Ministry of Health’s WAVE programme (Working to Add Value through Electronic Information) and was the general manager of the personal health operation group at the Health Funding Authority, with budget responsibility for multi- billion funding of all hospitals and primary care. He has gained an impressive understanding of primary care and integrated care: and become well-regarded by primary care organisations. David is Ngai Tahu, and serves on Te Runanga O Ngai Tahu’s Investment Sub-Committee. The Board has now completed a phase of review and restructure, and our attention now shifts to the future, to explore opportunities for general practice and primary care, and the central role of the College in quality, education and professional standards. We are delighted that David has agreed to join the College Board: his experience and skills will add greatly to our ability to deliver an exciting future for both general practice—and improve the health of all New Zealanders. read more

  • 13 July 2010

    Scholarships Close Soon

    College RECT travel grants and student scholarships applications close 30 July. See the forms below for more details, and to apply. read more

  • 8 July 2010

    Universal free specialist tests restored

    The College is very pleased to hear the Minister has made this decision which restores equity of access to important specialist tests. This ends a management decision by Wellington, Hutt Valley and Tairawhiti DHBs, which had significant impact on the provision of safe healthcare, for both GPs and patients. read more

  • 29 June 2010

    College Education Convention a great success

    The College Education Convention was a great success. More than 150 College members met in Wellington. President Harry Pert and Professor Des Gorman’s keynote presentations on the future education of the medical workforce can be read below. read more

  • 22 June 2010

    PHARMAC open access to atorvastatin

    A 90% price reduction is enabling PHARMAC to provide open access to atorvastatin, which had previously been available under Special Authority. Lorstat will be funded alongside the Lipitor brand from 1 August 2010 with no restrictions and will become the sole subsidised brand from 1 December. read more

  • 21 June 2010

    Doctors and Environmental Issues

    As mentioned recently, Fellow Elizabeth Harris has set up a "Doctors for environmental awareness and advocacy" website. Visit http://doctorsenvirovoice.ning.com (or send an e-mail to Dr.LizHarris@gmail.com). Amongst general practitioners, there appears to be a growing interest in environmental issues, including climate change, and the impact these have on the population’s health. The New Zealand Medical Association has recently developed a position statement on climate change. The Royal College of General Practitioners in Scotland has developed a position statement on Sustainable Development in General Practice. The Lancet.com in collaboration with the University College London has prepared a report showing how climate change could have a disastrous effect on health over the coming decades. At the instigation of several members, the College will analyse the following survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XGBHS72, to decide whether or not we should proceed with developing environmental policy. Please let us know by the end of the week how much of a priority you think this is for the College. read more

  • 15 June 2010

    Tamiflu and Relenza Now Available Free on Prescription

    The Ministry of Health updated its clinical advice for prescribers in April, opening up access to free antiviral medications for patients with symptoms of influenza. Prompt assessment and consideration of antiviral treatment is especially important for people at greater risk of severe outcomes from pandemic influenza, people with more severe illness or whose condition begins to deteriorate. Patients clinically assessed as requiring antiviral treatment can be given a prescription for an antiviral course from the national supply, and receive that free from a pharmacy - they won't have to pay a surcharge. Antiviral agents can play an important role in reducing the severity and length of illness due to influenza, and are best given in the first two days after symptoms appear. More information is available here. read more

  • 10 June 2010

    College Congratulates Dr Simon

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners would like to congratulate Dr Jonathan Edward Simon on being awarded Officer of the Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to medicine, in the recent Queens Birthday Weekend Honours. Dr Simon is a Distinguished Fellow of the College. We are pleased that Dr Simon’s hard work and dedication to general practice has been acknowledged in this way. read more

  • 9 June 2010

    College service contractors

    If you would like a personal tax summary for the year ended 31 March 2010 to include in your tax return, please contact accounts@rnzcgp.org.nz and we will send one out to you. Note the payroll system will hold the two last payslips for you so you can print these out for your records. If you need more information at any time, please do not hesitate to contact the team. read more

  • 1 June 2010

    ACC Sensitive Claims

    The College’s ACC Sensitive Claims Survey closed on Thursday. We received 148 responses, conveying a wide range of views. Susan Dovey, Associate Professor from Otago University, is analysing responses. The Minister for ACC has set up an independent Panel, chaired by Dr Barbara Disley, to review the Sensitive Claims Clinical Pathway. The panel is receiving written submissions from organisations and people affected by the changes with the introduction of the Clinical Pathway. To be considered, submissions must reach the panel by Friday 18 June 2010. They can be emailed to ClinicalPathwayReviewSubmissions@researchnz.com[mailto:ClinicalPathwayReviewSubmissions@researchnz.com] or posted to the panel at PO Box 1039, Wellington 6140. Information on the review and the Terms of Reference is available at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/sensitive+claims+review+announced. The College will be making a submission to the panel. Copies of individual submissions and comments to contribute to the College submission can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz[mailto:policy@rnzcgp.org.nz] before 14 June. read more

  • 25 May 2010

    National Health IT Board website

    The National Health IT Board website is now live at http://www.ithealthboard.health.nz. This site introduces you to the National Health IT Board - its advisory and delivery groups; what the IT Health Board is involved in, such as: Primary healthcare IT grants fund; Investment decisions; Clinical leadership; HISO (2010). If you have any comments/feedback/improvements please email enquiries@ithealthboard.health.nz[mailto:enquiries@ithealthboard.health.nz]. read more

  • 19 May 2010

    Depression Campaign’s New Phase

    The National Depression Initiative will enter a new phase when John Kirwan returns to promote self-management strategies for people with depression. To support the new campaign the Ministry of Health is launching a leading edge internet-based self-management programme. The programme will be promoted in a series of television ads featuring JK talking about how he stays well. JK has teamed up with three mental health professionals to deliver the six-week programme in a series of video clip sessions. For many New Zealanders this will be their first introduction to an online programme of this kind. JK ‘coaches’ people through the programme and is joined by Dr Simon Hatcher, Elliot Bell and Dr Lyndy Matthews to cover the range of topics. Dr Hatcher has translated his expertise in Structured Problem Solving therapy into an accessible, user-friendly programme that people with mild to moderate depression can use on their own, or in the context of clinical treatment. read more

  • 12 May 2010

    Proposed changes to the College Constitution

    College CEO Karen Thomas and I are holding a series of meetings with faculties and sub-faculties to discuss the proposed changes to the College Constitution. This is an opportunity to debate some of the most important changes in the College in recent years, and will influence the College’s activities for many years to come. Your views are therefore important and I hope many of you are able to contribute to the debates! So far very constructive meetings have been held with our Rural faculty, Te Akoranga a Maui, and last night with the Canterbury faculty. Further meetings are detailed below. It would be great to see you there. read more

  • 6 May 2010

    College Signs Exciting MOU to Improve General Practice

    Today Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ), the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) signed a memorandum of understanding in Wellington. The three organisations are working together on a national project to change the way general practitioners are trained and will result in the implementation of a revised vocational training programme for GPs from January 2012. read more

  • 30 April 2010

    Tobacco Tax

    The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is welcoming Minister Turia's decision to increase tobacco excise tax by 10% with immediate effect. This follows recent advice from the College and other organisations. College President Dr Harry Pert added, “As the College’s recent letter to the Prime Minister, and Ministers Turia, Ryall and English indicated, it will be vital to dedicate extra tax income from the increase to smoking cessation programmes, especially targeting low income earners, Māori and Pacific smokers, at-risk youth and patients with chronic illnesses whose health is further compromised by smoking." read more

  • 29 April 2010

    The Third Biennial GP Education Convention

    The College’s upcoming Education Convention will be held June 25/26 at the James Cook, Hotel Grand Chancellor in Wellington. Speakers will include Minister Tony Ryall, Harry Pert, and College Board member Tana Fishman. Register with Liz.Walters@rnzcgp.org.nz read more

  • 28 April 2010

    Access to Anti-virals and new clinical guidance on H1N1

    The MoH have updated their clinical guidance on the diagnosis and management of Pandemic Influenza H1N1. They recommend GPs are familiar with this guidance. Further to the consultation and feedback via ePulse in March, eligibility for antivirals for the 2010 influenza season has been widened, including all people with influenza illness who are clinically assessed as requiring antivirals. Access to national reserve antivirals for patients with influenza is also now available via a standard prescription, with no pharmacy dispensing fee charged to the patient. read more

  • 15 April 2010

    Immunisation

    College Vice-President Tony Townsend presented the College’s submission to the Health Select Committee’s Inquiry Into How to Improve Completion Rates of Childhood Immunisation today. The College welcomes this inquiry and supports increasing the completion rates and also the timeliness of immunisation. Childhood immunisation is one of the most cost effective activities in healthcare and as a healthcare intervention has averted much suffering. The College's submission, drawing on member feedback via a recent ePulse survey, is available below. read more