PROJECTS

This page is designed to provide information and/or links regarding PHO and Pinnacle projects.

PHO Specific Project Resources
PHO specific project resources can be accessed on the following pages. The Pinnacle password is required to access these pages - please contact your Practice Liaison if you do not have a password.

• Waikato Primary Health (PHO)
• Turanganui PHO
• Lake Taupo PHO
• Peak Health Taranaki
• Kawerau PHO

GP DVT DIAGNOSTIC PATHWAY PROJECT
This project, funded by Waikato DHB and detailed in the enclosed documentation will be operational from Thursday 1st April 2010. The aim of the project is to facilitate accurate diagnosis of DVT by using a process of risk categorisation (Modified Wells score +/- D-dimer) with, for high risk patients, diagnostic ultrasound available from a choice of providers at no cost to the patient. Click here for access to all project documentation including electronic referral forms for MedTech. For those high risk patients requiring further investigation (D-dimer or ultrasound) but where there will be >6 hours delay before the investigation is undertaken, the project provides for administration of a single dose of enoxaparin (Clexane) to the patient.

Vitamin D prescribing to Residents of Aged Residential Care
ACC and Waikato DHB are working together to promote the prescribing of vitamin D to residents of aged residential care in the Waikato DHB area. It's well know that the risk of falling increase with age. Low vitamin D levels are common in older adults living in residential care and in some sub-groups in the community. Improving Vitamin D supplementation is an efficient, safe and proven method to reduce falls and related injuries in this population, by enhancing muscle strength and gait and balance. Click here to access all documents for the project.

Bold Promise Utility
The use of this tool (Medtech users only) was covered in the recent CVRA Symposia held throughout the network. The tool is available for downloading by entering your PHO-specific page (see above) and following the instructions on the page. Contact your Practice Liaison if you do not have a password. A tutorial on the use of the tool has been recorded via Breeze and is available here. If the entire presentation is not viewable on the screen push the 'scale to fit' button at the bottom left of the screen.

Chronic Care Management Framework
There is an epidemic of chronic conditions evolving globally, and chronic conditions in New Zealand are the most significant contributor to disparities in health outcomes between Maori and non-Maori. Concurrent issues such as the aging and decreasing traditional primary care workforce means a revised approach to chronic care management is needed, ranging from prevention to end-of-life care. The HealthRight framework has been developed for Pinnacle PHOs to use as a basis for more detailed programme development tailored to the needs and priorities of their own communities. For a summary of the framework and other chronic care management resources, click here.

Diabetes Annual Review
A useful resource for diabetes management in general practice is the Community Management of Diabetes. This document, produced by the Diabetes Department at Waikato Hospital, covers most aspect of Type 2 diabetes management in the community. Some information is specific to Midland DHB services (how to access a variety of services provided at Waikato Hospital including weight management, high risk foot clinic, adolescent diabetes, community diabetes educators in the region) but the majority of information would be valuable to all general practice team members. Topics include:

• Classification of diabetes, treatment targets and screening
• Initial rapid community assessment of the newly diagnosed (including who should be hospitalised)
• Specific treatment advice (hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, impaired renal function)
• How to commence Type 2 diabetics onto insulin

and much more!

Electronic Breast Screen Referral Process for Waikato, Lakes and Kawerau
This is a collaborative project between Orion Systems, Breast Screening Midland (BSM) and Pinnacle Group Ltd (PGL) to make electronic referral to the breast screening programme available to GPs and practice nurses. For a description of the project and processes click here, and to download instructions for installing the referral template click here. The Breast Screening Project template is a Medtech text document and can be downloaded here by following the instructions above.

PHO Performance Programme The following Pinnacle PHOs entered the PHO Performance Programme from 1 July, 2006 - Waikato, Lake Taupo, Peak Health Taranaki and Turanganui. Kawerau PHO entered on 1/1/07. The purpose and background to the programme are available as a useful summary document (MOH) designed primarily for PHOs contemplating entry to the programme. Further comprehensive information about the programme can be found on the DHBNZ website including FAQ's, updated target setting documents and a copy of the latest national indicator set and weightings.

Workwise (Urban Hamilton and Thames District only)
This initiative assists people with experience of mental illness, who are currently on an invalid or sickness benefit, to access specialised, professional support and assistance in exploring employment options and securing employment. If you have patients whose primary diagnosis is in the mental health spectrum, who are receiving an invalid or sickness benefit, and who are willing to consider supported integration back into the workforce, this service will be of benefit.

If you would like use this service and have patients who you think may benefit, contact Lynn Hewitt at Ph: 07 834 9305, Mob: 027 6823224 or e-mail Lynn Hewitt. Electronic versions of the appropriate referral forms for Medtech32 and Houston VIP are available here.