ENT Service Improvements 

ENT have been under a great deal of pressure due to understaffing. They have made some positive changes outlined below to improve the service offered to patients.

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/e05fbc77-4b9f-7851-ee2d-1121b0c3a561/ENT_Service_Improvements_.docx

Planned Care Update 

Links to the memo and FAQ sheet from Te Whatu Ora informing that a letter will be going out to patients who have been waiting on a hospital wait list for surgical treatment forlonger than four months. 

The letter is due to be sent to patients in a weeks time through Districts teams and will come from Te Whatu Ora Hospital and Specialist Services. 

If you have any questions, please contact hssplannedcare@health.govt.nz 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/e4e26176-b045-6f7b-4964-d4788ccf08f1/Memorandum_Primary_care_health_providers_16_May.pdf

Skin Cancer Symposiums

Skin Cancer Symposiums are delighted to invite you to the upcoming Certificate of Advanced Dermatoscopy course at the University of Auckland, City Campus on 29 – 30th July 2023. More information on this below. 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/f4652fcf-1d6a-eff3-7ec3-f5520aa9b625/Skin_Cancer_Symposiums.01.docx

Whooping Cough - A call to action

Sadly, there have been three previous deaths from pertussis infection to date this year. More information from Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen below. 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/00a68ec8-3e94-b3be-c578-bc006d90f007/Ākina_Pertussis_final.01.docx

eReferral -Cancer Society 

Latest update from Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance on eReferral to The Cancer Society. 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/5638ab5f-c78e-e951-33eb-5c0afaecf142/e_Referrals_newsletter_042023_Eastern_Bay_of_Plenty_Cancer_Society_v0.1_FINAL_.01.pdf

NZ Pelvic Mesh Complications

The Pelvic Mesh Complications is a national service for females who may have been harmed by mesh implanted for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/76445820-bbd4-84aa-d51f-a1398618e78c/e_Referrals_newsletter_042023_National_Pelvic_Mesh_v0.1_FINAL_.01.pdf

Clinical physiology waiting times 

More information below 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/7171c83a-1338-60c1-9842-c84c07a32814/Clinical_physiology_waiting_times_.docx

New HIV diagnoses 

More information below. 

https://mcusercontent.com/44b7c39e3ff768164720288a9/files/7b57be86-ee81-2851-dafa-eaa02ea35030/New_HIV_diagnoses_.docx

Midland HealthPathways update

New pathways for GPs on HealthPathways
The following pathways are now live on our HealthPathways site for you to use:

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Funny Turns
• Heart Failure 
• Palpitations
• Cariology Sore Throat Management
• Childhood Eczema
• Childhood Gastroenteritis 
• Childhood Sore Throat Management 
• UTI in Children 
• Type 2 Diabetes
• ENT Sore Throat Management
• Colorectal Symptoms
• Community-acquired Pneumonia in Adults 
• Management of Restless Legs Syndrome
• Warfarin - Starting and Monitoring 
• Advanced Care Planning
• Cognitive Impairments 
• Hepatitis C
• Funny Turns 
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 
• Palliative Care 
• Menorrhagia

And remember there is up-to-date information on all matters Covid-19 for primary care on Health Pathways, including national as well as local information.

HealthPathways is a collection of management guidelines specifically tailored to primary care.  Our GP Liaison team is in the process of 'localising' these pathways to the Bay of Plenty, i.e, making them relevant to GPs and other primary care providers specifically in the Bay of Plenty.  You'll find valuable pointers on history, examination, treatment and of course when and how to refer patients on to other services.  These pathways will, over time, be replacing the Bay Navigator pathways.