College response to Covid-19

The College is working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure College members are kept up-to-date about the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

We are also passing GPs’ questions to Ministry officials, making sure members’ concerns are being heard and feedback from those working at the coalface is making its way to Wellington.

To avoid confusion or duplication, the College is directing all members to the Ministry’s coronavirus website. The site is updated daily and, in addition to information for the public, it contains updates designed for general practice teams and GPs.

College president Dr Samantha Murton and medical director Dr Bryan Betty are voicing GPs issues around coronavirus in the media most days.

Members who have questions are invited to email the College via communications@rnzcgp.org.nz

College activities:

12 March
Sent message regarding airline staff to all members, and created covid19@rnzcgp.org.nz email address.

10 March
Third coronavirus webinar scheduled.

8 March
Dr Bryan Betty speaks to TVNZ about the possibility of retired doctors returning to work to help with Coronavirus.

6 March
Dr Bryan Betty speaks to TV3 about Coronavirus.

5 March
Dr Bryan Betty speaks to TV3, The Project, RNZ Afternoons about Coronavirus.

4 March
Dr Bryan Betty speaks to Waikato Times, NZ Doctor, Stuff, Newstalk ZB about Coronavirus.

3 March
The Board agreed to postpone the WONCA 2020 Asia Pacific Region conference the College is co-hosting. Dr Samantha Murton speaks to Mediaworks, Newstalk ZB, Stuff and NZ Doctor. Other outlets report the story too.

2 March
College Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty updates members on his work with the Ministry’s coronavirus Technical Advisory Group. A Primary Care Subgroup has been established.

26 February
Facebook post reminding patients to call Healthline is published and shared more than 180 times.

Dr Samantha Murton speaks to RNZ about PPE and Coronavirus.

College contacts TVNZ who runs a piece to camera telling people to call Healthline or your GP first after a story the night before told people just to visit their GP.

25 February
College Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty updates members about the work being done by the Ministry’s coronavirus Technical Advisory Group.

18 February
College President Dr Sam Murton hosts a second corona virus webinar featuring Director General Dr Ashley Bloomfield and MOH Chief Clinical Advisor Dr Juliet Rumball-Smith. View summary.

4 February
ePulse update and more than 300 GPs join a corona virus webinar hosted by College President Dr Sam Murton and MOH Chief Clinical Advisor Dr Juliet Rumball-Smith. View summary.

Early February
College Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty is appointed to the Ministry’s coronavirus Technical Advisory Group.

28 January
Epulse update encouraging members to visit the Ministry of Health’s corona virus website.

1 News coverage - 8 March 2020

Watch clip from 0.55 seconds

TV3 coverage - 6 March