Barbara Fountain

Auckland, New Zealand

Managing Editor at New Zealand Doctor

Managing editor of The Health Media and editor of New Zealand Doctor. Believes in good journalism, the quirky and quantum

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Articles

Beyond the numbers: Where data meets real life

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Barbara Fountain |Stephen Forbes |Fiona Cassie

+Opinion Beyond the numbers: Where data meets real life Intelligence generated from GPNZ’s data dashboard can be pooled to highlight trends, gaps and opportunities at scale [Image: Dominik Leiner on Unsplash] GPNZ’s growing data dashboard is showing the value of general practice at scale – and helping shape what comes next, writes Justin Butcher As we move into the second half of 2025, the primary care data landscape continues to be a strong focus for General Practice New Zealand, ensuring...
IMPBs respond to health minister’s role change

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Barbara Fountain |Alan Perrott

+News IMPBs respond to health minister’s role change The new role proposed for iwi Māori partnership boards puts Māori at arm’s length from decision-making, say the Wai 3307 claimants [Image: Supplied] Essentials Proposed changes to the Pae Ora Act amount to “tokenism” that strips iwi Māori partnership boards of real influence and undermine, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here.
No returns: Pharmacy group to refuse returned medicines and sharps in protest

1 week ago | pharmacytoday.co.nz | Jody Hopkinson |Fiona Cassie |Barbara Fountain

Academic pharmacist Nataly Martini discusses the medical management of asthma in adults and adolescents, which has evolved to prioritise early anti-inflammatory treatment. She also explains how to improve patient outcomes by proactively identifying poor asthma control and supporting equitable access to education and treatment
Hamiora Bowkett gets the nod as Te Whatu Ora chair

2 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Alan Perrott |Barbara Fountain

+News Hamiora Bowkett gets the nod as Te Whatu Ora chair  Incoming Te Whatu Ora chair Hamiora Bowkett has been developing changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 [Image: Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance] Hamiora Bowkett, currently executive director of the Health Assurance Unit, is understood to be the new chair of the Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora b Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Getting by with a little help from his friends: Mark Vella receives King’s Birthday Honour

2 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Alan Perrott |Fiona Cassie |Barbara Fountain

+News King’s Birthday Honours Getting by with a little help from his friends: Mark Vella receives King’s Birthday Honour Chief executive of Total Healthcare PHO, Mark Vella, has been honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit [Image: Supplied] Want a King’s Birthday Honour?
GPs, midwives, nurses, specialists, advocates and a forensic psychiatrist make honours list

3 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Patrice Dougan |Barbara Fountain

+News GPs, midwives, nurses, specialists, advocates and a forensic psychiatrist make honours list One hundred and eighty-eight people were honoured by King Charles in the King’s Birthday Honours [Image: Red Portrait May 2024, Royal.UK] Editor Barbara Fountain searches the citations for this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for recipients with connections to primary care and the wider health sector.
Helpful Heidi AI gets doctors out from behind their screens

3 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Patrice Dougan |Stephen Forbes |Barbara Fountain |Fiona Cassie

+News In print Helpful Heidi AI gets doctors out from behind their screens Heidi transcriptions can be turned into clinical documents – such as a GP note or referral [Image: Suriphon Singha on iStock] As AI gains ground in various workplaces, the array of new software can be confusing.
It’s the cat’s pyjamas

4 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Barbara Fountain

Spark Health chief executive John Macaskill-Smith unveiled the latest addition to his marketing toolbox at the National Rural Health Conference in Christchurch – his new shirt. Mr Macaskill-Smith, formerly Tend Health chief network officer and chief executive of Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, told delegates in the past he had relied on Hawaiian shirts to make him visible in the busy exhibition hall but this year he had upgraded.
Going direct, or not

1 month ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Barbara Fountain

[Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash] Editor Barbara Fountain considers the implications should Tend Health get a direct contract with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora for primary care services. This comment appeared in the Editor's Letter email delivered on 28 May* Turning point or tipping point – I’m not sure which is the correct phrase, to be honest, but either way it is coming for primary care. Digi-physica Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Doctor, coder, garden tamer: The many lives of Ashwin Patel

1 month ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston |Barbara Fountain |Stephen Forbes

+Print Archive Obituary Doctor, coder, garden tamer: The many lives of Ashwin Patel The late Ashwin Patel, a specialist GP and health IT developer, was described at his funeral as generous with his time and as a disruptor who has had a positive influence [Image: Supplied] Auckland specialist GP and health IT developer Ashwin Patel died suddenly and unexpectedly in April, aged in his mid-60s writes Martin Johnston ESSENTIALS Specialist GP Ashwin Patel died on 18 April.