News and updates of interest to Primary Health Care nurses:
ACC contributions - new from 1 December 2018
General Practices treating patients under ACC's Cost of Treatment Regulations (CoTR) will receive increased contributions from 1 December following approval by Government.
General Practice (doctor, nurse practitioner and nurse visits) will be paid a higher rate for patients with Community Service Cards, with the expectation the patient will pay no more than $18.50 for a GP visit. Their dependants (aged 14-17 years) should be charged no more than $12.50. Additional contributions will also mean the current zero-fees scheme for under 13s can be extended to under 14s.
It is up to individual practices to set their co-payment levels, however ACC says the contributions are set at a level to encourage practices to pass on the benfits to their patients.
These new rates will also apply to practices working under contract - Rural General Practice and Urgent Care Clinics. Contract holders will need to meet the terms and conditions of the contracts.
ACC is reminding practices to invoice at the correct rates from 1 December. "It's important that all health providers know about these invoicing changes to avoid a delay in payment," said Graham Dyer, ACC Head of Provider Service Delivery.
The changes are part of announcements made by the Government in Budget 2018 and apply to both health and injury-related visits.
The new rates can be found here. Ministry of Health also has information about the initiatives available on the TAS website.
Read or download ACC-related changes to general practice rates
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Angel Flight NZ - free flight/care assistance for vulnerable people
Angel flight is a voluntary organisation which operates throughout Australasia. They have 120+ planes and volunteer clinicians etc to help vulnerable groups with transport to eg hospital appointments. They have mainly operated in Northland but they are ready to go all over the country, so please ask if you have clients for who a quick, free flight there and back would make all the difference!
Read or download flier Angel Flight NZ
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Breast Cancer Research Review
This Review features key medical articles from global oncology journals with commentary from Dr Sheridan Wilson, Dr Erica Whineray Kelly, Dr Carmel Jacobs and Dr David Okonji. The Breast Cancer Research Review covers topics such as:
- BRCA gene mutation
- mastectomy
- lumpectomy
- adjuvant therapy
- hormonal therapy
- aromatase inhibitors
- monoclonal antibodies,
- trastuzumab, and
- brachytherapy.
Publications are free to receive for all NZ health professionals.
View back issues of Breast Cancer Research Review publications here.
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No consultations currently running.
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Flucloxacillin Monograph and Notes on Injectable Drugs
These documents have been provided from the Hospital Pharmacists Assn (NZPHA) - Flucloxacillin Monograph and Notes on Injectable Drugs (NOID’s) – given to us as they are “receiving requests from some GP practices about this book as more injectable medicines are being given in Primary Care...The feedback we have been receiving from the nurses using this resource has been really useful and they appreciate the ease with which they can find the information.”
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Learning Needs Analysis Results
NZCPHCN consulted with its members about what they would like to hear and learn more about. Read the results: Learning Needs Analysis Survey Results
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Maternal birth injuries
From 1 October 2022 our accident cover includes specific injuries birthing parents can experience from the beginning of labour through to delivery of the pēpi/baby. See Maternal birth injuries (acc.co.nz) for more information.
Palliative Care Council of New Zealand
Caring for people in the last days and hours of life: Interim Guidance Click to view or download
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Scholarships and Grants
The Nursing Education and Research Foundation (NERF) and NZNO offer NZNO members a range of scholarships and grants. These grants are funded from various trusts including the Gretta and Harry Hamblin Trust and the McCutchan Trust. NZNO also administers a range of other NZNO local and national grants.
For more information please see http://www.nzno.org.nz/services/scholarships
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Shingles
Kia ora koutou,
This is to let you know of an email about the shingles vaccine. The email was communicated to people who recently turned 65 and those who will soon turn 66 to direct them to contact their medical practice to book, or discuss the shingles vaccine the next time they are seeing their doctor. Attached is an embargoed draft of the copy for your information.
Details of the campaign are as follows:
Background
- Approximately 55,000 New Zealanders turn 65 each year and the shingles vaccine is free for NZ residents in this age group. Outside of this age group – the 2 dose shingles (Shingrix) vaccine costs around $700. Currently, only general practices administer the vaccine.
- The vaccination rate of 65-year-olds against the Shingles virus is estimated to be between 10-20% This highlights the need of support by the Primary Care network, by creating awareness that a free two-dose vaccine is
- available whilst they are 65 years old,
- what it protects against,
- to encourage people to talk to their medical centre about being vaccinated, and
- to receive the vaccination the next time they visit.
- This initial ‘pilot’ campaign generates insight to apply to an ongoing communication series as people age-in; whilst considering current stock levels and the ability of general practices to accommodate a potential uplift in visits.
Call to action: direct individuals to contact their medical practice to book, or discuss the vaccine the next time they see their doctor. For more information, direct people to Healthline on 0800 611 116 or to go online. Information on the webpage will be updated to include FAQs
Measurement of responses will have a lag as we will assess uptake based on proclaims data
Ngā mihi nui,
Sandy
Snips
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