GPNZ

It’s not what you do, it’s the way you do it

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:24:38 +0000

For an interesting commentary from Dr Judith Smith (Head of Policy at the Nuffield Trust in London) reflecting on her recent trip to New Zealand click here.

Health Research Grant

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:28:39 +0000

The Ministry of Health and the Health Research Council are seeking to purchase research projects that transfer knowledge from initiatives with proven effectiveness, into practice in the health sector. $450,000 of one-off funding is avaialble. Registrations of interest close on 1 March, with full proposals due on 29 March 2012. More information is available here.

General Practice Purchases

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:48:33 +0000

NZ Doctor has published an interactive map on its website showing recent purchases of general practices across the country.

Practice eLink – December

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:21:45 +0000

Graphical Version or Printer Friendly Version

How do we measure up?

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:23:57 +0000

A summary from the recent 2011 Study Tour to North America is now avaialble here.

Presentations from 2011 HINZ Conference

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:08:40 +0000

Papers, presentations, and photos from HINZ 2011 are now available here.

Dates for our 2012 Conference

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:05:02 +0000

GPZNZ’s next joint conference with the RNZCGP will be held in Rotorua between 13-16 September 2012. Updates will be provided here as more information becomes available.

Australian General Practice Network National Forum Presentations

admin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:51:09 +0000

Presentations from the recent AGPN National Forum held in November 2011 are now available here.

GPs and pharmacists united on evidence-based medicines

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:56:48 +0000

Link to media release

GPs and Pharmacists United on Evidence-Based Medicines

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:13:11 +0000

3 October 2011

GPs and pharmacists agree that the good of the patient and evidence-based medicine should form the basis of all health care advice provided.

The Royal New Zealand College of GPs, the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand, Pharmaceutical Society and General Practice New Zealand have agreed that a commercial initiative being employed in Australia to companion sell supplements with prescriptions would not be appropriate in New Zealand.

Blackmores has struck a deal with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, representing the owners of community pharmacies. Under the agreement, when a prescription is filled, a prompt in the pharmacy’s computer will suggest staff discuss with the customer a Blackmores supplement designed to offset possible side effects of the drug being prescribed.

Pharmacy Guild President Karen Crisp says it is longstanding practice in New Zealand for community pharmacists, when advising patients on their medicines, to consider whether supplements would be a useful addition to the medicine regime.

She says pharmacists and GPs are motivated by the wellbeing of individuals and already have close working relationships.

Pharmaceutical Society President Elizabeth Plant agrees and says health professionals and pharmacists respect each other’s expertise.

“We should all be working to our strengths and evidence-based medicines are a strength for both professions.”

Royal New Zealand College of GPs President Dr Harry Pert says there would be no benefit in following the current Australian example.

“There is little evidence basis for it that we can see and we would be concerned that patients would be encouraged to buy supplements that they don’t want or need.”

General Practice New Zealand Chair Dr Bev O’Keefe says GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists are making real progress in working more effectively together to provide good patient care.

“At every stage of patient care, their professional values and standards must determine the treatment decisions they make, rather than commercial incentives.”