Monday Pānui 1 July 2024

In today’s Pānui	De-escalation Workshops Continuation of zero-fees cervical screening for priority groups National Cervical Screening Programme Information Update Training Requirements for HPV Screen Takers In case you missed it – Re-instatement of prescription co-payment from today and COVID-19 Services Eligibility, Vaccine Brands and Eligibility Changes Two new practices join Auckland PHO
De-escalation Workshops	Practices have been sent an email inviting them to upcoming workshops on De-escalation Techniques designed to provide participants with practice skills for managing and defusing tense situations effectively. Three options are available for city side practice staff and for practice teams on Waiheke Island and Great Barrier separate arrangements are being made. Session dates are Monday 22 July, Tuesday 23 July and Thursday 25 July – 6pm for a 6.30pm start Sessions will be at the Auckland PHO office – 210 Khyber Pass Road. Please refer to the email sent today to book and for more information or contact komal@aucklandpho.co.nz
Continuation of zero-fees cervical screening for priority groups	Please refer to the Cx HPV Funding Continuation Notice of zero fees for cervical screening for priority groups.
National Cervical Screening Programme Information Update	Updates to testing after cancer – please refer to the Te Whatu Ora notice regarding HPV and cytology testing following treatment for cervical and vaginal cancer. HealthPathways will be updated to reflect this update in due course.
Training Requirements for HPV Screen Takers	A reminder that HPV Screen Takers must complete a learning pathway prior to facilitating HPV self-testing with participants.  If unsure, please refer to the Te Whatu Ora requirements- link below. https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/health-services-and-programmes/ncsp-hpv-screening/understand-hpv-primary-screening/#hpv-screen-takers-training
In case you missed it –	There are a number of changes effective 1 July – please refer to the three Medinz messages below published Thursday 27 June: Reinstatement of prescription co-payment Important update on eligibility for COVID-19 Services and Funding Vaccine brands and eligibility changes
Re-instatement of prescription co-payment from today	Medinz: Reinstatement of prescription co-payment from 1 July 2024 From 1 July 2024, the standard $5 charge to collect prescribed medicine (the prescription co-payment) returns. The co-payment will be waived for people: aged 13 years or under who hold a Community Services Card (CSC) or (a dependent child of a CSC holder) aged 65 years and over, or who hold a Prescription Subsidy Card (PSC) Once a person or a family unit reaches 20 new prescription items in a year, they are eligible for a Prescription Subsidy Card. This means they will not have to pay any more prescription charges until 1 February the following year. Some prescriptions will continue to attract a $15/$10 (adults/14-17 years) prescription co-payment, ie, from a private dentist or private specialist. Pharmaceutical co-payment – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
COVID-19 Services Eligibility	Medinz: Important update on eligibility for COVID-19 Services and Funding from 1 July 2024 The COVID-19 service provision and funding model is changing. Funded administration of COVID-19 vaccines will remain available for eligible people until 30 June 2025. From 30 Nov 2024 afterhours funding for vaccine delivery will cease. See here for more info. COVID-19 antiviral medicines remain funded and available for eligible people at pharmacies. See here for eligibility criteria. Free RATs for public distribution via community pharmacies continues until 30 September 2024. Access to funded PPE will end 30 June 2024.  A range of clinical telehealth services will no longer be available from 1 July. See attached PDF for further information HealthPathways will be updated soon to reflect these changes. Healthcare sector advisory - decommissioning of COVID-19 Clinical Telehealth Service 1.pdf
Vaccine Brands and Eligibility Changes	Medinz: Vaccine brands and eligibility changes from 1 July 2024 Please note the following changes from 1 July 2024  Vaccine brand changes:  Hib: The current vaccine, Hiberix, will be replaced with the Act-Hib vaccine.  Varicella (chicken pox):  Varivax will be replaced with Varilrix vaccine.  Hepatitis A adult: Brand name update from Havrix to Havrix 1440. Vaccine change  Meningococcal ACWY: The current MenC vaccine (Neisvac-C) funded for high-risk infants under 12 months will be replaced with MenACWY (Nimenrix).  Note: Neisvac-C should be discarded and not used after 1 July 2024.   Change to eligibility  Shingrix: vaccine funding will be widened to include immunocompromised people aged 18 years and over as per PHARMAC criteria, which can be found Updated information will be available on HealthPathways from 1 July. For more information: IMAC 18 Jun webinar - https://www.immune.org.nz/education/webinars PDF Summary of vaccine changes from 1 July 2024.pdf If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Auckland PHO’s Immunisation Coordinator - shanaz@aucklandpho.co.nz
Two new practices join Auckland PHO	We are pleased to welcome two new practices who join Auckland PHO today.  They are Teo Medical (formerly TL Care) in Te Atatū and Parnell Medical Centre.

Barbara Stevens | Tumu Whakarae/CEO