fcassie@nzdoctor.co.nz

Ensuring national consistency on the new Planned Care approach to devolving DHB-funded services to primary care is on next month’s PSAAP meeting agenda – including keeping services free

GPs appear likely to lose the ability to charge patients copayments for DHB-funded services shifted from secondary to primary care

GPs appear likely to lose the ability to charge patients copayments for DHB-funded services shifted from secondary to primary care

Colourful handmade sleeves for people with dementia or delirium to stroke, pluck and pat are being trialled as a calming tool in Christchurch hospitals and homes
 

A study has found GPs referring patients for ACC-funded magnetic resonance imaging are doing the job well – just as direct referrals are being considered for expansion
 

GPs and nurses turning their backs on patients to type up notes is frequently raised by Māori patients as a concern

Apps and social media campaigns are being produced as researchers and Māori communities work to find out what interventions will help to enable an early diagnosis of lung cancer.
 

A joint venture between a community trust and Southern Cross will see a private surgical hospital built near Queenstown, offering both private and public elective surgery

The former temporary police station bordering Christchurch’s Health Precinct is being redeveloped as a new health hub for doctors and specialists
 

South Link Health Services has been given the nod by Canterbury DHB to build and run a seven-day, integrated family health centre based at the Rangiora Health Hub