Fiona Cassie

New Zealand

Southern Correspondent at New Zealand Doctor

Journalist. Specialising in health, science and whatever else takes my fancy.

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Articles

Abolishing VLCA first step towards equitable funding

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Bryan Betty |Fiona Cassie |Simon Maude

+Letters Abolishing VLCA first step towards equitable funding VLCA funding is tied to the practice, not the patients, meaning many high-needs patients at Access practices are not receiving higher-subsided care [Image: iStock] GP Geoff Cunningham takes issue with Very Low Cost Access funding, saying its unintended consequences have led to inefficiencies and inequities in the general practice landscape Although I agree with Bryan Betty’s opinion piece on the PSAAP (PHO Services Agreement...
Scrapping of primary care nurses’ pay equity claim ‘devastating’

1 week ago | pharmacytoday.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

+News Scrapping of primary care nurses’ pay equity claim ‘devastating’ Tightening pay equity criteria to “significantly reduce” Crown costs means the primary care nurses’ pay equity claim is being forced back to square one [Image: Popartic or iStock] Essentials All current pay equity claims, including those of primary care nurses and administrators, have been stopped.
‘Devastating’ scrapping of primary care nurses’ pay equity claim

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

+News ‘Devastating’ scrapping of primary care nurses’ pay equity claim Tightening pay equity criteria to “significantly reduce” Crown costs means the primary care nurses’ pay equity claim is being forced back to square one [Image: Popartic or iStock] Essentials All current pay equity claims, including those of primary care nurses and administrators, have been stopped.
High Court rules Medical Council didn’t ‘censor’ anti-vax doctors

1 week ago | pharmacytoday.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

The High Court says the Medical Council didn’t prohibit doctors from expressing views on COVID-19 vaccine risks [Image: Virginia McMillan] A High Court challenge has unsuccessfully argued that the Medical Council’s 2021 guidance statement on the COVID-19 vaccine and anti-vax claims was un Kia ora and welcome to Pharmacy Today Kaitiaki Rongoā O Te Wā Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here.
PSAAP funding talks must deliver on key core priorities of equity and access: Bryan Betty

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

+Opinion PSAAP funding talks must deliver on key core priorities of equity and access: Bryan Betty General Practice NZ has long argued that affordable care should be the norm – not the exception [Image: iStock] As negotiations begin under the PHO Services Agreement, the future of general practice – and equitable healthcare for all New Zealanders – hangs in the balance, writes Bryan Betty “If access to primary care hinges on the ability to pay, we are undermining equity and the Government’s...
Negotiators tight-lipped after yesterday’s first PSAAP meeting

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

+News Negotiators tight-lipped after yesterday’s first PSAAP meeting The next round of PSAAP negotiations is scheduled for 8 May  [Image: Dreamstime] Essentials General practice and PHO delegates met with Te Whatu Ora officials yesterday for the first round of PSAAP talks. , READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber? Unlock this article by subscribing here. Related Articles
Moral harm at work leads some GPs to ‘cave of shame’ response

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Alan Perrott |Patrice Dougan |Fiona Cassie

+In the spotlight In print Moral harm at work leads some GPs to ‘cave of shame’ response Clinicians can crawl into a “cave of shame” when they feel unable to meet their own standards [Image: Andipantz on iStock] Essentials Emotional responses to difficult situations – compassion, frustration, guilt – can be heightened by ethical standards, personal value, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Leaders want certainty on locums contract after minister’s conference comment

1 week ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Martin Johnston |Fiona Cassie

+News National Rural Health Conference Leaders want certainty on locums contract after minister’s conference comment Associate health minister (rural) Matt Doocey today failed to satisfy rural healthcare leaders’ need for certainty over a contract for providing locums [Image: Hagen Hopkins] “The cheque is in the mail” Rural healthcare leaders were left wondering about a key government contract this morning after a speak-and-run sessi Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not...
Negotiations due to kick off today for capitation funding ‘enhancement’

2 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

+News Negotiations due to kick off today for capitation funding ‘enhancement’ An ambitious agenda of primary care funding talks gets under way today using a negotiation process not used since 2018 [Image: iStock] Essentials Weather-disrupted primary care funding negotiations are due to get under way today in Wellington. They are believed, READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?
Successful bid sees Aotearoa hosting global rural WONCA conference in 2026

2 weeks ago | nzdoctor.co.nz | Fiona Cassie

+News Successful bid sees Aotearoa hosting global rural WONCA conference in 2026 Next year, New Zealand is to host its first World Organisation of Family Doctors conference in 25 years [Image: Greg Rosenke on Unsplash] Essentials Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network has announced a successful bid to hold a World Organisation of Family Doctors conference in , READ MORE Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa Not a subscriber?