To (1) describe the distribution of Ministry of Health (MOH) COVID-19 emergency funding to general practices in March and April 2020 and (2) consider whether further funding to general practices should be allocated differently to support equity for patients.

Emergency funding allocation criteria and funding amounts by general practice were obtained from the MOH. Practices were stratified according to their proportion of high-needs enrolled patients (Māori, Pacific or living in an area with the highest quintile of socioeconomic deprivation). Funding per practice was calculated for separate and total payments according to practice stratum of high-needs enrolled patients.

The median combined March and April funding for general practices with 80% high-needs patients was 28% higher per practice ($36,674 vs $28,686) and 48% higher per patient ($10.50 vs $7.11) compared with the funding received by general practices with fewer than 20% high-needs patients. Although the March allocation did increase funding for high-needs patients, the April allocation did not.

Emergency support funding for general practices was organised by the MOH at short notice and in exceptional circumstances. In the future, the MOH should apply pro-equity resource allocation in all emergencies, as with other circumstances.
Emergency support funding for general practices was organised by the MOH at short notice and in exceptional circumstances. In the future, the MOH should apply pro-equity resource allocation in all emergencies, as with other circumstances.
The primary care response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 required significant changes to the delivery of healthcare by general practices. This study explores the experiences of New Zealand general practice teams in their use of telehealth during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.

We qualitatively analysed a subtheme on telehealth of the General Practice Pandemic Experience New Zealand (GPPENZ) study, where general practice team members across the country were invited to participate in five surveys between 8 May 2020 to 27 August 2020.

164 participants enrolled in the study during survey one, with 78 (48%) completing all surveys. Five telehealth themes were identified benefits, limitations, paying for consults, changes over time and plans for future use. Benefits included rapid triage, convenience and efficiency, and limitations included financial and technical barriers for practices and patients and concerns about clinical risk. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/baf312-siponimod.html Respondents rapidly returned to in-person consultations and wanted clarification of conditions suited to telehealth, better infrastructure and funding.

To equitably sustain telehealth use, the following are required adequate funding, training, processes communicated to patients, improved patient access to technology and technological literacy, virtual physical examination methods and integration with existing primary health care services.
To equitably sustain telehealth use, the following are required adequate funding, training, processes communicated to patients, improved patient access to technology and technological literacy, virtual physical examination methods and integration with existing primary health care services.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with poor outcomes. While several medications are beneficial, achieving optimal guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is challenging. COVID-19 created a need to explore new ways to deliver care.

Fifty consecutive patients were taught to identify fluid congestion and monitor their vital signs using BP monitors and electronic scales with NP-led telephone support. Quantitative data were collected and a patient experience interview was performed.

The majority (76%) of the cohort (male, 76%; Māori/Pacific, 58%) had a new diagnosis of HFrEF, with 90% having severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. There were 216 contacts (129 (60%) by telephone), which eliminated travelling, (time saved, 2.12 hours per patient), petrol costs ($58.17 per patient), traffic pollution (607 Kg of CO2) and time off work. Most (75%) received contact within two weeks and 75% were optimally titrated within two months. Improvements in systolic BP (SBP) (124mmHg to 116mmHg), pulse (78 bpm to 70 bpm) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (292 to 65) were identified. Of the 43 patients who had a follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), 33 (77%) showed important improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Patients found the process acceptable and experienced rapid titration with less need for clinic review with titration rates comparable with most real-world reports.
Patients found the process acceptable and experienced rapid titration with less need for clinic review with titration rates comparable with most real-world reports.
Quick COVID-19 Surveys are an international collaboration designed to rapidly analyse and disseminate a primary care perspective on the pandemic and associated health response. In this paper we present results from surveys relating to opening the New Zealand border.

Three surveys were distributed to primary care practices between May and December 2020. A range of primary care member organisations distributed the survey augmented by snowballing. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data through an inductive process and grouped into themes.

Respondents became increasingly supportive of opening a trans-Tasman border but not internationally. Two broad themes were evident (1) making sure that the border is not an Achilles heel and (2) effective strategies to reduce local transmission. These themes highlight primary care's concerns around management of the border and the management of local spread respectively.

The results highlight concerns around border control from a primary care perspective. The border control issues raised by primary care have proven to be prophetic at times and reflect the role that primary care has as observers of society. The survey mechanism provides a template for rapidly eliciting a primary care voice for future health issues.
The results highlight concerns around border control from a primary care perspective. The border control issues raised by primary care have proven to be prophetic at times and reflect the role that primary care has as observers of society. The survey mechanism provides a template for rapidly eliciting a primary care voice for future health issues.