Jeremy Chua, a sixth-year medical student at the University of Otago, has had his first taste of life as a GP in rural New Zealand. Each year, New Zealand medical students in their sixth year are required to complete an elective placement over 12 weeks.

In June 2021, the Network supported the Ministry of Health to recruit for a Rural Cohort Manager to join the COVID-19 Vaccination and Immunisation Programme.

To prepare for the arrival of COVID-19 in the South Otago community of Balclutha, Clutha Health First (CHF) decided to make some changes to better manage infectious patients within their hospital and general practice.

A new short film is sharing the success of an antenatal programme with the nation – far beyond the cradle of the programme’s birth in the small, powerful communities of Te Tai Tokerau.

The ERMS electronic request management system that allows health professionals to seamlessly refer patients for further care has been adopted by the first North Island district health board after more than a decade and millions of referrals in the South Island. 

The New Zealand Rural General Practice Network’s new Tautoko Rural initiative will provide rural practices and community owned rural hospitals with support to conquer COVID-19 outbreaks in their communities.