New minister Clark cautious

Health minister-designate David Clark says his first task will be to repair damaged relationships in the sector. (ODT)

Read more.

ALSO read New health minister stands by pre-election promises, including funding review. (NZ Doctor – log-in required)

Tararua nurse first in country to get certificate in rural nursing

A Tararua woman is the first in the country to walk away with a new rural qualification in nursing. (Manawatu Standard)

Rowena Panchaud said her passion for her rural area led to her completing a graduate certificate in nursing practice, with a rural nursing speciality.

The Otago-born woman has lived in Dannevirke with her family since 2006.

Read more.

Lung health awareness month


November is lung health awareness month and the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network is delighted to support the Lung Foundation New Zealand raise awareness by sharing and promoting its lung health poster and by encouraging rural practices, communities and individuals to organise an event that will save lives by increasing awareness and early detection of lung disease.

Click on the link to access the lung health poster and click on the link to plan an event.

Lung Foundation New Zealand was established in 2015 and is a non-government organisation dedicated to promoting healthy lungs and early detection of lung disease including lung cancer, NZ's biggest cancer killer. Five Kiwis every day die of lung cancer.

The Lung Foundation is devoted to supporting people affected by lung disease and provides a voice for patients and their families. The Foundation advocates on a range of issues, including access to more effective funded treatments, an increase in research funding and a commitment to making Aotearoa a Smokefree nation by 2025.

The Foundation has published a number of lung cancer patient resources to empower patients and carers and help them make informed treatment decisions. Together, the 12 individual lung cancer patient resources make up a toolkit that informs all aspects of the lung cancer patient journey. These resources are ideal for GPs and specialists to provide to their patients.

The resources can be found on Lung Foundation New Zealand's website.

Follow the link to an infographic that highlights important facts and how people can minimise the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Lung cancer – follow the link to a Q&A video with lung cancer patient survivor, Dr John Ashton which serves to highlight the symptoms of lung cancer. Please help improve early detection by sharing this video. Also visit the Lung Foundation New Zealand on Facebook.

New PM must prioritise primary care, says Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners' President Dr Tim Malloy extends his congratulations to the Prime Minister-elect, Jacinda Ardern, on forming a new Government, as well as to the respective leaders of New Zealand First and the Green parties, Winston Peters and James Shaw. (Scoop)

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Setbacks, changes don't faze Waikato med school backers

A change of government hasn't dented the chances of the proposed Waikato med school getting the green light, its backers say. (Waikato Times)

Waikato University Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley said the med school bid remains a priority for the university.

In August, then Prime Minister Bill English announced plans to create a new school of rural medicine within three years.

Read more.

Training scheme underway for Marlborough's first PRIME team

Crashes on rural highways are a reality for many who live in the provinces, with help often hours away. (Stuff)

But a new initiative has been set up in Marlborough to deliver a speedier response, and ultimately save lives.

Four of Marlborough's registered nurses and one doctor are undergoing specialist training on rural emergency responses under a scheme known as Prime Response in Medical Emergency, or PRIME.

Read more.

$25k for Māori researcher tackling health inequities

A leading Māori researcher is tackling the great health inequities facing indigenous peoples around the world. (RNZ)

Matire Harwood from Auckland University has received a $25,000 grant as part of the 2017 L'Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science Award.

Read more.

Peter Snow Memorial Award 2018 – nominations open

Do you know of a medical or nursing colleague in rural health worthy of this accolade?

Nominations are now open for the annual Peter Snow Memorial Award to be announced at the Network’s 2018 conference at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland, April 5-8.

The award was set up to honour the life and work of Dr Peter Snow who passed away in March 2006. Dr Snow was a rural general practitioner based in Tapanui.

For more information, nomination guidelines or to nominate someone click HERE.

Or contact Network communications manager Rob Olsen, email: rob@rgpn.org.nz or telephone 04 495 5887 or 021 472 556.

Gore hosts doctors from the UK and USA

Two GPs – one from America and one from the United Kingdom - will work at the same practice in Gore in the coming months. Dr Carl Rasmussen from the USA will be based at Gore Medical Centre for six months and Dr Jonathan Clowes from the UK for three months.

The pair were amongst seven new international GPs who attended NZLocums' October Orientation course, a comprehensive introduction to the New Zealand health system that covers topics such as ACC, role of nurses in NZ, MPS and Pharmac.


Pictured are Orientations course attendees Dr Lathmany Dorfman from the USA, who is working at South Hill Medical Centre, Dr Laura and Ben Taylor from the UK, who are working at Horowhenua Health Centre, Dr Carl Rasmussen from the USA (Gore Medical Centre), Dr Mark Newstead from the UK, who is working at Te Kauwhata Health Centre and Dr Jonathan Clowes from the UK (Gore Medical Centre).

If you would you like more information about NZLocums' Orientation course contact Saloni Pandey, Project Co-ordinator/Relationship Manager for more information, telephone 04 495 5872 or 021 357 687, or email Saloni@nzlocums.com

Visit www.nzlocums.com.

Leptospirosis in domestic animals

There has been an increase in leptospirosis bacteria in domestic animals and livestock in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. This is not uncommon in areas that have been flooded, and have damp soil or stagnant water.

Leptospirosis is easy to catch from an infected animal and where it lives. Leptospirosis is carried in animal urine and can cause kidney and liver disease in people with possible long lasting effects such as chronic fatigue.

For further information on leptospirosis click here.

Dunstan Hospital ‘can’t wait’

Dunstan Hospital in Clyde will need to be extended within four years if current growth in the Central Otago district continues, Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL) chairman Allan Kane says. (Stuff)

And if the hospital did not receive significant additional funding in the meantime, it was likely services there would need to be reduced, he warned.

Read more.

Publications

OUT NOW! Network News Spring 2017

Out Now! Stories of birth, life and death on remote Great Barrier Island

Order from Fishpond at a special price of $33.12 here.

Not a member?
Join the Network!

The Network is the only nationwide membership-based organisation in New Zealand representing the interests of rural general practice.

Visit our website for additional information and an online application form or contact Rob Olsen on 021 472 556.

Testimonial

"NZLocums have been helpful and supportive from beginning to end. I would not have been confident about starting a locum post in New Zealand without their support."

Tony Pearson, GP, UK.

Art of observation earns GP a finalist spot in photography awards

Kawerau GP Tony Whitehead has done it again. For the second consecutive year, he’s a finalist in the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year award. (NZ Doctor – log-in required)

A moody black and white landscape photograph of Milford Sound secured Dr Whitehead a finalist spot, alongside another 64 stunning visions of New Zealand’s society and environment.

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Queenstown GP continues doctor burnout fight

The Queenstown doctor who led the charge to change the modern day Hippocratic Oath says doctor burnout is at "epidemic" levels but small changes can make all the difference. (ODT)

Dr Sam Hazledine, owner of one of Australasia's biggest medical recruitment agencies, MedRecruit, said he delved into the issue because he was concerned about the high rate of burnout among doctors around the world and the lack of research into how to manage it.

Read more.

Is this town big enough for the both of them? GP returns to Twizel

A year after Tim Gardner’s contract was terminated at Twizel Medical Centre, the GP is plying his trade in the town again, opening a satellite clinic of his neighbouring Kurow practice. (NZ Doctor – log-in required)

His restraint of trade conditions ceased on October 26 and four days later, on Monday, October 30, he opened the doors of his new Twizel premises, a satellite clinic of the Kurow Medical Centre that he and his practice nurse wife, Juliet, now own.

Read more.

National snippets

Ardern warns over sugar and salt levels, but wants to work with food industry.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned the food and drinks industry it needs to cut down on sugar and salt in products - saying "all options are on the table", including a sugary drinks tax. (NZ Herald)

Read more.

Midwife's prescription forgery prompts nationwide warning

An Auckland midwife who forged painkiller prescriptions for herself has prompted a nationwide warning from the Ministry of Health. (RNZ)

The woman, who no longer holds a practising certificate, attempted to write prescriptions for the painkillers codeine and tramadol using the names of other midwives and false patient details.

Read more.

Open your New Zealand bank account

The Network's official banking partner.

Resources

PRIME services review update, click here.

NZRGPN resources click HERE.

St John offers free tutorials for what to do when somebody has a cardiac arrest.

Pharmac seminar series

The seminar series provides high quality education covering a variety of topics, and caters to a range of health professionals. Click HERE to access the resource.