Monday Pānui 22 July 2024

In today’s Pānui	Increasing patient co-payments Primary Health Care Nursing Entry (NETP) Expansion Programme – Expression of Interest Head and Neck Cancer Day 27 July COVID-19 vaccination payments GPNZ Media Release to Te Whatu Ora Funding Uplift Offer
Increasing patient co-payments	For non-VLCA funded Practices The 2024/25 fee calculation spreadsheet has not yet been published but it is expected any day.  CSC funding has been increased by 9.8% and zero fees for under 6 years and under 14 years has been increased by 10.68% Practices who have already increased fees may need to re-do the calculations and an updated spreadsheet will be sent to practice managers so an up-to-date calculation can be made, including any past residual unused percentage Practices can increase the A3 adult consultation to $65.00 without having to go to Fees Review (outside of the 7.76% allowable increase) For VLCA Practices VLCA funding has been increased by 9.9% Copayments for patients with a CSC remains the same - $13 for youth and $19.50 for 18+ years Copayments for patient without a CSC can be up to $29.50 Te Whatu Ora will pay a back payment from 1 July based on the amount missed during the month. The funding rates for individual patients by age can be found here. Contact barbara@auckandpho.co.nz if you have any questions.
Primary Health Care Nursing Entry (NETP) Expansion Programme	The NETP expansion programme is available for new grads from early 2025 and expressions of interest are being called for practices to employ a new grad (with a subsidy funding for a 12-month contract). A nurse preceptor is required for the new grad with online training for nurses willing to do the 16 hours training online. Read the brief guide here and find the EOI form here. For more information, contact Siobhan@aucklandpho.co.nz
Head and Neck Cancer Day 27 July	HPV is one of the leading causes of head and neck cancers. Te Whatu Ora will recognise World Head and Neck Cancer Day by sharing information on their social channels about HPV immunisations. The HPV vaccine social media tile has been updated and is available in the Dropbox here along with some suggested copy. The HPV vaccination resource can also be downloaded or ordered on HealthEd: Protect against most types of cancers caused by HPV. Having this resource available in other languages is currently being worked on.
COVID-19 vaccination payments	COVID-19 vaccinations remain funded and are available to eligible people aged 6 months + through general practice or pharmacies participating. Current agreements expired 30 June 2024 and there is an agreement extension until 30 June 2025 where the funding will similar to that of flu vaccinations. Further information here.
GPNZ Media Release to Te Whatu Ora Funding Uplift Offer	Primary care unanimously reject Government funding offer (gpnz.org.nz)

Barbara Stevens | Tumu Whakarae/CEO