Changing face for GP practices
The future shape of GP practices will be quite different as young doctors are less willing to go the "extra mile" than their older colleagues, the Southern District Health Board has been told.
SPHO
Free care scheme operating
Free care scheme operating
No official feedback has been received on the free after-hours medical care for children under 6, but it seems to be working in participating GP practices, Southern Primary Health Organisation chief executive Ian Macara says.
Revised dental programme to be implemented next month
Revised dental programme to be implemented next month
A plan to use primary healthcare funds for adult dentistry is yet to be implemented, almost a year after it was supposed to start.
Fears over free service for infants
Fears over free service for infants
Some GPs fear providing free after-hours care to under-6s will put more pressure on already stretched services, particularly in tourist towns and rural areas, Southern Primary Health Organisation chief executive Ian Macara says.
PHO told not to establish e-referral system: Bowers
PHO told not to establish e-referral system: Bowers
Southern Primary Health Organisation was advised not to introduce the electronic referral system which is now causing concern, and instead wait for the South Island-wide system, South Island Information Systems Service Level Alliance chairman Dr Andrew Bowers, of Dunedin, says.
GP practices get support from PHO
GP practices get support from PHO
Southern Primary Health Organisation has appointed extra staff to help Otago and Southland GP practices finding it "tough going" to get enough patients through the doors, PHO chief executive Ian Macara says.
Flu jab acceptance still below target
Flu jab acceptance still below target
Why some elderly people do not take up their free flu jab was the subject of a discussion at a Southern District Health Board committee yesterday.
Review to focus on GP turnover and burnout
Review to focus on GP turnover and burnout
"Concerning" rates of GP turnover and burnout in rural areas will be addressed in a review of after-hours care, Southern Primary Health Organisation chief executive Ian Macara says.
PHO requests more money
PHO requests more money
The Southern Primary Health Organisation wants more money from the Southern District Health Board.
Health funds build during delay
Health funds build during delay
The Southern District Health Board has $110,000 unused primary healthcare funds because of a two-month delay signing the Southern Primary Health Organisation's plan.
Whole region has access to new health programmes
Whole region has access to new health programmes
Three of the Southern Primary Health Organisation's clinical programmes have been approved, almost two months after they were supposed to start.
Smoke-free policy adopted
Smoke-free policy adopted
The Central Otago District Council's new smoke-free policy for council playgrounds - adopted on a motion moved by the council's two smokers - will not be enforced.
Advisory group to set up 'clinical pathways'
Advisory group to set up 'clinical pathways'
A health advisory group is to be established as part of the Southern Primary Health Organisation to improve links between community and hospital health care, funding and finance general manager Robert Mackway-Jones told this week's community and public health advisory meeting in Invercargill.
Southern PHO responds
Southern PHO responds
Southern Primary Health Organisation has taken issue with a statement that it could have applied to use leftover funds for health services.
Chairman rejects criticism of contract process for IT
Chairman rejects criticism of contract process for IT
Southern Primary Health Organisation chairman Dr Conway Powell rejects concerns about contract letting and says he is sick of "sniping" about the new organisation.
Sexual health clinic charges concern
Sexual health clinic charges concern
A "huge rise" in unwanted pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases among Queenstown's youth is the feared outcome of high school pupils being charged for consultations at the Wakatipu Sexual Health and Family Planning clinic, co-ordinator Gaylene Hastie says.
Funding changes limit sexual health programme
Funding changes limit sexual health programme
Proposed sexual health funding restrictions come just as an access programme is starting to show results, Dunedin Sexual Health Clinic clinical leader Dr Jill McIlraith says.
SPHO funding change plans disturbing GPs
SPHO funding change plans disturbing GPs
Dunedin GPs are criticising the Southern Primary Health Organisation's proposed funding changes, saying it is offering to pay for procedures that come under the district health board, while leaving other patients in the lurch.
Outreach clinics may end if SPHO funding cut
Outreach clinics may end if SPHO funding cut
A Glenorchy resident says the Southern Primary Health Organisation should cut one of its "job-created bureaucrats" instead of axing funding for weekly community nurse practitioner visits.
PHO looks to priorities
PHO looks to priorities
Tai Chi classes could be out, and improving links between general practice and specialty services in, under the new Southern Primary Health Organisation, says chairman Dr Conway Powell.