Monday Pānui 2 February 2026

In today’s Pānui	Manage My Health Cyber Security Update National Cervical Screening Programme Information Update Auckland PHO Funded CPR Courses – March Sessions
Manage My Health Cyber Security Update	The following is legal advice GPNZ has obtained regarding a practice response to patient queries. We agree that practices should be disclosing to patients if patients are on the list if patients ask, especially now that the impacted list appears to have been more or less settled. The fact that a practice has (through receipt of the impacted list) become aware that an individual’s personal information was the subject of the incident does not create a positive duty on the practice to notify that individual under section 115 of the Privacy Act (and accordingly, considerations under section 116 of the Privacy Act as to whether or not there are grounds for withholding notification are irrelevant). However, if a patient asks if they are affected, we think the practice should respond to that request. Even if the request is not framed as a request for that patient’s personal information, if the patient were to request the information held by the practice about the patient under IPP 6, their inclusion on the list would fall within the scope of that request and the practice would have to release it. The practice is better to do so proactively. This position is more justified/clear now that the information held by the practice is much more likely to be reliable/accurate. We have asked MMH/HNZ to provide practice/public communications on the notification status, including geographic information of patients who haven’t been notified and next steps, to provide some reassurance and context.
National Cervical Screening Programme Information Update	In case you missed this update in last week’s Friday Facts, please see important NCSP update below for cervical sample-takers. Topical Oestrogen therapy Topical vaginal oestrogen is recommended for post-menopausal women, and all participants over the age of 50 years prior to cytology or colposcopy. (This includes those on systemic menopause hormone therapy). It may also be useful for participants with vaginal atrophy associated with progestogen contraception, breast-feeding or people using testosterone for gender affirming hormone therapy. Topical vaginal oestrogen therapy can be prescribed for people with a history of breast cancer, including those on aromatase inhibitors. Systemic absorption is minimal. Why: Improves comfort of speculum examination for participant In post-menopausal women the transformation zone recedes into the endocervical canal, making it hard to see and sample.  Topical oestrogen can partially evert the transformation zone improving visualisation and reducing the likelihood of an unsatisfactory cytology result or an incomplete colposcopy examination that needs to be repeated. Oestrogen deficiency causes atrophy which can mimic high-grade abnormalities leading to unnecessary colposcopy and participant anxiety. Please prescribe 1 application/pessary of topical oestrogen at night for 3 weeks, stopping 2 days prior to cytology or colposcopy. Where it is not possible to contact a participant to arrange a prescription, this should not prevent referral for follow up.
	Updated guidance on the definition of immune deficiency for cervical screening Some participants whose immune system is deficient require more frequent screening and active follow-up. This updated guidance provides further clarity on: Conditions considered to cause immune deficiency, Medications considered to cause immune deficiency in the cervical screening context.         The updated guidelines can be viewed and downloaded from the Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora website Service standards and guidelines – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Auckland PHO Funded CPR Courses – March Sessions	March Resuscitation Courses: Level 3 CPR Skills      Date & Time: Tuesday 17 March, 6PM – 8PM      For Admin/ Reception/ HCAs/ Practice Managers/ HIPs Level 4 Immediate Responder      Date & Time: Wednesday 18 March, 6PM - 9PM      For RNs / Vaccinators Level 5 ACLS Assessed Advanced Responder      Date & Time: Saturday 14 March, 8AM - 2.30PM (lunch provided)      For GPs – 6 hours as per RNZCGP 2025 guidelines; Nurse Practitioners – 4 hours To book a place on any of these courses, please complete and submit the registration form. For any queries please contact: emma@aucklandpho.co.nzPlease note, practice staff who are eligible for Auckland PHO funded CPR/ACLS courses are: All administration staff from the time of employment at an Auckland PHO practice. Clinical staff who have worked at a practice for at least 6 months. Clinical staff who have worked at a practice for less than 6 months, locums and temporary staff are not eligible for Auckland PHO funded resuscitation courses but may choose to attend an Auckland PHO course where there is space and will be charged for their attendance.

Barbara Stevens | Tumu Whakarae / CEO