Manatū Hauora Workforce Survey: Abortion Services [closes October 31]
Manatū Hauora (the Ministry of Health) is responsible for abortion. The work programme for abortion services aims to ensure equity, accessible, person centred and quality abortion services. One of the ways that will help achieve this is understanding the current abortion health workforce, as well as those are interested in providing abortion care. Please share this survey with your health networks here Workforce Survey
Manatū Hauora has developed a survey for health practitioners including medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, as well as social workers or counsellors who may provide counselling. The survey will cover questions like:
• What you know about abortion
• If you currently provide abortion care (and if you want to provide more than you currently do), or, if you would consider providing abortion care
• If you currently provide LARC contraceptive services
• Your opportunities for better service response to Māori and whānau and health equity
• What your understanding of culturally safe services is
• Whether there are any barriers to service provision
This information will help Manatū Hauora learn more about the diversity of the workforce, what quality and cultural safety practices are currently in place, and where Manatū Hauora can support the sector to improve. The survey is a chance for health practitioners to shape what future abortion services could look like for people and their whānau. The feedback will be collated and shared once completed. It will help to inform future work.
If you wanted to talk to Manatū Hauora about their broader programme of work, or have questions about this survey, please reach out to them at abortionservices@health.govt.nz
• Canterbury health, wellbeing and educational experts have come together with tangata whenua and Pacific Island groups in a ground breaking collaboration to improve outcomes for the region’s youngest and most vulnerable.
• Research for Children Aotearoa is a collaboration led by Te Papa Hauora Health Precinct. It includes researchers from the Universities of Canterbury and Otago, and the Pasifika Medical Association, and Ngāi Tūāhuriri.
• The collaboration’s first project was a hui where whānau living with diabetes, community groups, and health experts met to discuss what research is needed to fill crucial information gaps and, ultimately, improve outcomes for young people with diabetes.
Te Papa Hauroa: Researchers work with the community to improve children’s lives
Experts unite to ‘supercharge’ children’s health, wellbeing and education
• Te Papa Hauora independent chair Peter Townsend says its focus is bringing people and organisations together to ‘supercharge’ health research, education and innovation opportunities in the region. Research for Children Aotearoa brings together educational experts such as speech language therapists and psychologists with child medical specialists. The involvement of Ngāi Tūāhuriri and The Pasifika Medical Association ensures the group’s mahi helps improve equity and meets the needs of our diverse community.
• “To make the biggest difference you bring people with complementary but different skills, expertise and world views together. Research for Children Aotearoa is being more strategic about the work that needs to be done for the next generation.”
• Professor Gail Gillon (Ngāi Tahu iwi) heads the University of Canterbury’s Child Well Being Research Institute.
• “Aotearoa New Zealand has a strategy to make it the best place in the world for children to live. That’s a challenging task involving complex issues so we need a trans disciplinary response. Canterbury has collaborations in health research and education through Te Papa Hauora. Research for Children Aotearoa further extends this mahi to support tamariki and their whanau.”
• Associate Professor Tony Walls is a paediatrician and head of the University of Otago, Christchurch’s paediatric department. His clinical and research speciality is childhood infectious diseases.
• “As clinicians we see a lot of particularly young children and infants coming to the hospital from communities that are disadvantaged. That’s an area those of us involved in Research for Children Aotearoa would really like to make improvements on.”
• Kiki Maoate is a paediatric surgeon, Associate Dean of Pacific at the University of Otago, Christchurch, and president of the Pasifika Medical Association.
• “Research for Children Aotearoa brings a new form of energy into being advocates for children. To ensure our families are treated well, our children are treated well. Getting our workforce to line up and mentor our young researchers. We want to create a longevity of change so we can impact the health and wellbeing outcomes for our families and children 10, 20 years into the future.”
• Amber Clarke (Ngāi Tūāhuriri) represents Whitiora as part of the Research for Children Aotearoa collaborative and on the Te Papa Hauora council. She says Research for Children Aotearoa aims to ground research in the communities it is seeking to serve.
• “We have the opportunity to really transform the lives of tamariki and their whānau. How do we do that? We start to listen. We allow communities, whānau and tamariki to define what their aspirations and needs are. We then draw on collaborations such as Research for Children Aotearoa to shape research and innovation and contribute to something greater to
Te Whatu Ora COVID-19 Testing: Updates on Testing Plan and Guidance
what we could have done as individuals, communities or institutions.”
• For more information or to interview those involved in Research for Children Aotearoa contact Kim Thomas on 027 222 6016.
Please find following, a summary with some additional details regarding a few amendments that have been made to both the Testing Plan and Testing Guidance Summary of Changes: Testing Plan
• General population: removal of “If symptomatic and negative RAT: PCR” replaced with the following (as this was previously the advice which has not changed) “If RAT negative and symptoms persist/worsen, test again with a RAT 48 hours later”
• General population: minor change to the wording “At discretion of a health professional if still RAT negative and/or to inform clinical management: PCR”
• Healthcare and Emergency workers: “RAT to work as part of HCW guidance” inserted Testing Guidance
• Insertion of an amendment to the advice on reinfection (removal of clinical and operational guidance on testing for possible COVID 19 reinfection)
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi updated “Principles”
• General population: removal of “If symptomatic and negative RAT: PCR” replaced with the following (as this was previously the advice which has not changed) “If RAT negative and symptoms persist/worsen, test again with a RAT 48 hours later”
• Healthcare and Emergency workers: “RAT to work as part of HCW guidance” inserted
Further information on the removal of clinical and operational guidance on testing for possible COVID 19 reinfection
Both the clinical and operational guidance on testing for possible COVID 19 reinfection has been removed from the website. The advice has been amended and simplified to:
• At 28 days or less after the onset of a previous infection (day 0 is the day of symptom onset or positive test) testing for reinfection is discouraged, as reinfection within this period is uncommon and difficult to confirm without specialist input. Those who are higher risk, or becoming more unwell, should seek advice from their healthcare provider or Healthline. People who have recently been a case, with an onset of COVID 19 infection within the last 28 days, are not considered household contacts and are not recommended to test.
• At 29 days or more after the onset of a previous infection, individuals with new symptoms consistent with COVID 19 or who are household contacts, are recommended to test with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and upload all positive or negative results to My Covid Record. Isolation requirements are the same as for first COVID 19 infections and household contact testing guidance applies.
Te Whatu Ora:
COVID 19 Care in the Community Update for Primary Care
• All people who develop COVID 19 symptoms at 29 days or more are recommended to test with a RAT and if positive, as a case they can be treated in the same manner, whether it is a first infection or new infection. Healthcare providers still have discretion to do a PCR test, where a person is symptomatic but RAT negative or to inform clinical management in either case (first or new infection).
Asymptomatic Testing
• Other than for household contacts or specified surveillance, is not recommended.
Feel free to get in touch with the COVID 19 testing team at COVID 19testing@health.govt.nz for any queries you may have.
COVID 19 Outbreak Response
• Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health has published new clinical rehabilitation guidelines for people with long COVID in children and adults in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Infection prevention and control recommendations for health and disability workers have been updated, including:
o Guide for IPC risk assessment for PPE use in community healthcare settings for acute respiratory infections, including COVID 19
o PPE use for care of a COVID 19 case
o COVID 19 infection prevention and control guidance for acute care hospitals.
COVID 19 Care in the Community Data and Digital Update
• There is a major technology release scheduled for this week, focused on the National Contact Tracing Solution system (NCTS), which includes removing some features no longer used. There are no planned changes for CCCM in this release.
• The Care in the Community regional session slide pack has been updated and covers some features from minor tech releases implemented since the previous major release, including FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) FHIR share care plans.
• We’re making changes to CCCM to better support future outbreak management by connecting healthcare providers, welfare providers and patients through a shared care record and integrated PMS. We talk more about this work in our data and digital regional sessions, so if you would like to learn about this, please come along, of if you don’t have the invite, please reach out to the CITC Support Team at citc@contacttracing.health.nz
Please pass on the COVID 19 Care in the Community updates to your networks where relevant.
Te Whatu Ora: National Immunisation Programme
COVID 19 Vaccination Policy Changes
Novavax and Aging in (plus mandate reminder)
• Three National Immunisation Programme updates:
o Two new COVID 19 vaccination changes being implemented from 22 September 2022
o A reminder about the change to vaccination mandates for healthcare workers
Extension of Novavax primary doses down to 12 years (currently 18 years)
• From 22 September people aged 12 and over can now receive a primary course of the Novavax(Nuvaxovid) COVID 19 vaccine (a primary course is generally 2 doses).
• The extension to those aged 12 17 years is only for a primary course, not boosters. Novavax is only available as a booster for those aged 18 and over.
• The Pfizer vaccine is the preferred vaccine being used in New Zealand; however, the addition of the Novavax COVID 19 vaccine provides additional choice for 12 17 year olds yet to be vaccinated.
• The interval between doses of the primary course is a minimum interval of 3 weeks (same as Pfizer).
• A prescription will still be required for a second primary dose of Novavax if the first dose was Pfizer. A prescription can be obtained at a vaccination clinic offering Novavax or prior to an appointment with preferred GP. Visits to a GP for a Novavax prescription are free.
• Novavax is only available at select vaccination sites.
• Bookings can be made through BookMyVaccine. If you select Novavax, the site will show a list of vaccination centres where Novavax can be given.
Aging-in minor change for children turning 12
• From 22 September children aged 5 11 would still get a paediatric dose as their first dose, but if they turn 12 before their second dose, they will now receive the adult dose of the COVID 19 vaccine.
• An 8 week gap is recommended between the paediatric and adult doses.
• This change only affects those who turn 12 between receiving their first and second dose of the COVID 19 vaccine. Children under 12 are still only eligible for paediatric doses.
• Children aged 12 and over can receive either Pfizer or Novavax, but a prescription is needed for Novavax. Only Pfizer paediatric doses are available for children aged under 12.
• This change is particularly important for those children with complex health issues or immunocompromised, who are at higher risk from COVID 19, to ensure they are fully protected with vaccine doses appropriate for their age.
Revocation of Health and Disability Vaccination Mandate
• As announced by the Government on Monday 12 September the COVID 19 protection framework has been ‘retired’. Of relevance to you is the revocation of the vaccination mandate for the health and disability sector workers (which includes workers in aged care and residential) that will take effect next week at 11.59pm, Monday 26 September.
• The mandate was introduced to protect workers in high risk settings from COVID 19 and help prevent transmission between workers and vulnerable people. The mandate is no longer needed now the affected workforce has a very high vaccination rate (estimated to be greater than 95 percent), and vaccination has a reduced overall efficacy against Omicron transmission.
Pharmac Update: Primary Care Prescribers for week ending 16 September 2022
• The revocation of the order applies to the remaining health and disability workers in the following settings:
o Health practitioners dealing with patients in person, such as doctors, nurses and dentists
o Workers in medical centres/GP practices, pharmacies (such as receptionists or assistants)
o Workers employed or engaged by certified providers which includes hospitals, rest homes, or residential disability care facilities
o Care and support workers workers employed or engaged to provide care and support services within a home or place of residence.
• All exemptions previously granted will expire at 11:59pm on 26 September. This includes both Temporary Medical Exemptions and Temporary Serious Service Disruption Exemptions. No exemption applications will be accepted after 11:59pm on 26 September.
• Some businesses and organisations may choose to continue COVID 19 vaccination requirements through employment contracts for example, the Te Whatu Ora active vaccination policies across each of the districts and entities will remain in place until a national policy has been agreed. Guidance on employment law, health and safety law and contractual requirements can be found: Worksafe Vaccines and the workplace » Employment New Zealand
• Cancellation of existing Humira (adalimumab) Special Authority numbers from 1 October 2022
• Docusate sodium with sennosides (Laxol) tablets and other laxatives: supply issue update
• Testosterone cipionate (Depo Testosterone) injections: supply issue
• Paracetamol oral liquid: brand change
• COVID 19: information for prescribers
• Pregabalin 25mg capsules: supply issue
• Ondansetron dispersible tablets 4mg and 8mg: supply issue
• Lamotrigine brand information
• Bromocriptine: access change and discontinuation
• Lisinopril 5, 10 and 20mg capsules: new look
• Nutricia foods products: supply issues affecting multiple products
• Keep up to date on supply issues and brand changes
• We want you! Expressions of Interest for Pharmac’s Advisory Committees
Pharmac Update: Cancellation of existing Humira (adalimumab) Special Authority numbers from 1 October 2022
• From 1 October 2022, Amgevita will be the main funded brand of adalimumab for all uses (current and new). From this date, all existing Humira Special Authority numbers will expire, and new Humira Special Authority criteria for funding will come into place.
If you have submitted a waiver for a patient to remain on Humira and it has been approved prior to 1 October, this will not be
Pharmac Consultation: Proposal to fund Vedolizumab and Brentuximab Vedotin
Pharmac Consultation: Proposal to widen access to pneumococcal (PCV13) conjugate vaccine for immunisation against pneumococcal disease
Pharmac:
cancelled.
Post 1 October Humira Special Authority access criteria
• Humira will only be funded for patients previously treated with Humira who:
o trial Amgevita and experience clinical difficulties (intolerable side effects or loss of disease control) and wish to return to Humira
o have Crohn’s disease or ocular inflammation and are considered at risk of disease destabilisation if there were to be any change to their treatment regimen
• Repeat dispensings for Humira with an expired Special Authority will still be funded if the initial dispensing on that prescription occurred before 1 October.
Key actions for healthcare professionals
• Identify patients using adalimumab and discuss the continuation of their treatment with Amgevita either when their Humira Special Authority is due for renewal, or before 1 October 2022 (whichever comes first). All patients using Humira were automatically issued an Amgevita Special Authority number from 1 March 2022.
• For patients who require ongoing funded access to Humira after 1 October, a new initial Special Authority for Humira must be completed
• For patients who have not yet trialled Amgevita but their automatically issued initial Special Authority for Amgevita has expired, a waiver for an initial application can be completed. Use the Amgevita Special Authority form and include information about why a waiver is needed. How to make a waiver application
• Ensure you prescribe adalimumab by brand (either Amgevita or Humira)
• Go to amgevita.co.nz for resources to support you and your patients with this change
More information
• More information about this change, and what it means for you, on the Pharmac website.
• Please share this information with your colleagues
• Please follow this link to the Pharmac consultation to fund vedolizumab for people with inflammatory bowel disease and brentuximab vedotin for people with rare lymphoma’s.
• Consultation is open until 4pm 5 October 2022. Please circulate this email to others who may be interested.
• Please follow this link to a Pharmac consultation regarding a proposal to widen access to pneumococcal (PCV13) conjugate vaccine for immunisation against pneumococcal disease.
• Pharmac welcomes feedback on this proposal. Please circulate this email to others who may be interested.
• To provide feedback, please submit it in writing by 5pm on Thursday 06 October 2022 to: vaccines@pharmac.govt.nz
• The supplier of roxithromycin 50mg dispersible tab (Rulide D) has advised this product has been discontinued. The supply in New
Discontinuation of Roxithromycin (Rulide D) 50mg dispersible tab
Zealand has been exhausted and this presentation will be delisted from the Pharmaceutical Schedule in March 2023.
• This situation only affects roxithromycin 50mg dispersible tab (Rulide D). There are no issues with the supply of the 150mg and 300mg dose strengths of roxithromycin.
Actions for healthcare professionals
• Rulide D is a macrolide antibiotic, and its use is limited. It is mainly used in children aged up to 12 years of age who are allergic to B lactam antibiotics and who need to be prescribed an alternative antibiotic for a Group A streptococcal throat infection (and is therefore a part of Rheumatic Fever primary prevention). There are other fully funded macrolide antibiotic alternatives available for this indication here
Further information
• Any questions about this discontinuation, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
• Please share this information with your colleagues. Taumata Kaikōiwi Aotearoa: New Zealand Osteoarthritis Summit
• Being held 18 November 2022 at Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus, Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka.
Keynote Speakers
• The Summit will feature world renowned international keynote speakers who will discuss their various OA models of care and the opportunities and challenges that come with these. They include:
o Prof Søren Skou: Professor at the Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy at the University of Southern Denmark and head of research at the Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Næstved Slagelse Ringsted Hospitals, Denmark.
o Prof Andrew Briggs: Professor Briggs currently co leads a team in the emerging field of health policy and systems research at Curtin University, Western Australia.
o Assoc. Prof Jackie Whittaker: Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, at the University of British Columbia and is recognised as a Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
• The full programme will be available late September. Osteoarthritis Aotearoa Research Network
• An additional pre Summit half day OA research event is planned for Thursday 17 November. More details will be shared as soon as they are finalised. If you are interested in presenting at the Research Network Meeting, please contact Professor Haxby Abbott, haxby.abbott@otago.ac.nz
Registration
• Registration will open Tuesday 27 September. Accommodation options will also be available at this time.
Further Information including fees, please contact
• Daniel O’Brien (PhD) Senior Lecturer, Physiotherapy Department, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology.
Whakarongorau
Aotearoa: Perinatal Bereavement Support
Phone 09 921 9999 ext 8707, Mob 021 815 717, Email dobrien@aut.ac.nz
• Jess Johns at Whakarongorau Aotearoa is researching support for perinatal bereavement and is seeking information about current bereavement support systems.
• Whakarongorau Aotearoa has been contracted by the Ministry of Health to identity the perinatal bereavement support currently available in Aotearoa. This information will be used to help inform the development of the future bereavement care pathway. This mahi is looking at pregnancy loss from early miscarriage to infant loss in the first year of life. Of particular interest is the support for Māori, Pasifika and Indian families given their high rates of perinatal loss.
• Kaiāwhina has been identified as a Perinatal loss support advocate with experience and valued insights in this area of the sector.
• Jess would like to meet/hear about perspectives of the current bereavement support system to understand what is working and where the gaps are.
• Jess can be contacted directly at jess.johns@whakarongorau.nz or 021 839 998.
Great Lake Physio: Research Participants Request
• Great Lake Physio are seeking potential participants in a study giving GPs an opportunity to give their views on aspects of sports related concussion in New Zealand.
• They would like to invite general practitioners/physiotherapists to take part in the study exploring their knowledge and preferences for return to play care (RTP) following sports related concussion, and what would help to deliver better RTP care.
• It will involve a single interview with Colin Hancock lasting about 60 90 minutes and will contribute towards Colin’s Master of Philosophy degree (AUT ethics committee ref 22/87).
• Colin can be contacted at colin@greatlakephysio.co.nz or 027 697 0466.