Network updates

Previously called Pin Points

In this section we share clinical and practice operations updates from Pinnacle and the wider health sector. Use the search box and filters to help find what you’re looking for.

Have an update you’d like to share? Email us.

Diabetes update: Ryzodeg® 70/30 Penfill® insulin

A new formulation of insulin will be available from 1 May 2025. Ryzodeg® 70/30 contains insulin degludec (an ultra-long-acting insulin) and insulin aspart (rapid acting mealtime insulin) administered in one injection. This is licensed for patients aged 6 years and over. This is the first true long-acting insulin funded in Aotearoa. It has an elimination half-life of 25 hours, so remains in the body for a few days. Ryzodeg® 70/30 insulin must therefore only be injected up to a maximum of twice daily, with particular care taken when prescribing for the elderly population.

Planned strike by ASMS union members Thursday 1 May

Te Whatu Ora has received notice that senior doctors who are Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) members plan to strike for 24 hours on Thursday 1 May (from 00.01am to 23.59pm). The nationwide strike is planned for all Te Whatu Ora hospitals and services where ASMS members are employed.

Taranaki Awanui HPV results delay

The National Cervical Screening Programme has advised that on 31 March Awanui identified a technical issue with their HPV testing system and paused all outgoing messages while working to resolve it. If you receive a result that shows HG cytology, please refer to colposcopy. Do not wait for HPV results.

RNZCGP: Ka Hono collegial support

Bay of Plenty/Waikato Faculty of RNZCGP invites all GPs (including non-faculty members) and GP registrars in the GPEP programme (years 1-3) to register for collegial support service – Ka Hono.

Latest Taranaki clinical updates

Read the latest clinical updates for Taranaki including the opening and education session with Active+ and a database of NGOs operating within Taranaki.

Pathlab Eclair upgrade update

Some users are experiencing issues with éclair eOrders, including slowness and timeouts. Pathlab has resolved most known issues but is still monitoring for others. There may be some ongoing issues for several weeks around available patient history.

Varenicline tablets (Champix) relisted and available

Varenicline tablets (Champix) to support smoking cessation has been relisted on the pharmaceutical schedule. This medicine has been unavailable since 2021 due to manufacturing impurities which have now been rectified.

Vagenius Training: Persistent Pelvic Pain

This RNZCGP and RANZCOG-approved course is designed to empower GPs and nurse practitioners to avoid overwhelm, while giving effective care to patients with persistent pelvic pain, including endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Mental health professional development topic feedback

Later this year, the team at Waikato University Student Health are planning a professional development day for all general practitioners and nurse practitioners, focussed on mental health. They're looking for feedback on topics to cover during this workshop. If you have comment and/or critique on their proposed topics, please contact Steven Lillis, Student Health GP.