For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Growth in rejected referrals hitting hard
Wednesday 3 July 2024, 12:00 AM

Once patients are approved for surgery, it’s critical that they stay on the waiting list and aren’t sent back to their GP without getting the treatment they need [Image: Martha-dominguez de gouveia on Unsplash]
Rejected referrals to specialist services have risen considerably. Bryan Betty discusses a new report which outlines the enormous burden this puts on patients and practices
A GP will only make a referral when it is warranted; these patients have a genuine clinical need for specialist healthcare – and they are not getting
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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