Respiratory programme

All practices in Tairāwhiti region can claim for this service.

This service includes funding for two consultations with any clinical member of staff and one consultation with a prescriber. 

This will enable full review of the patient’s respiratory condition, identification of any unmet needs or education requirements, development of a management plan and follow up to evaluate the patients understanding of their self-management.

The key outcomes from these extended consultations should include:

• full review of the patients’ respiratory condition including ACT/CAT assessment
• spirometry testing if appropriate
• review of medications which may include a referral to pharmacy for further detailed medication education
• education of inhaler technique
• development of written patient self-management/action plan
• provision of subsidised vaccine (e.g. influenza, shingles) - note patients can be charged for non-subsidised vaccines such as pneumovax if clinically indicated
• discussion of eligibility for anti-virals should patient test positive for COVID-19
• Referral to relevant services which may include
  • Smoking cessation support
  • Healthy homes service
  • Pulmonary rehab
  • Social services
  • Pinnacle extended care team

Patients may be identified for the programme through clinical judgement of high risk of respiratory exacerbation requiring hospital care during the winter months.

Patients eligible for NZ funded healthcare.

The programme will fund a total of three consultations per patient per calendar year.

Patients who accessed the service in previous years will be eligible for this service again if they meet the access criteria.

Patients who do not meet the criteria as above.

Patients not enrolled in a Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti general practice.

Patients not domiciled in Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti area.

Please make your claim via Primary Options, select Winter Respiratory Programme and then attach the appropriate invoice(s).

The prices listed below are GST inclusive. 

Proactive Respiratory RN review - In person (once only): $81.37
Full review of the patient’s respiratory condition to include ACT/CAT assessment, spirometry testing as appropriate, review of medications, development of a management plan, inhaler and condition education, referrals as appropriate. This consultation should be a face to face.

Proactive Respiratory Prescriber review - In person or virtual (once only): $81.37 
To include medication review, authorisation of a management plan, prescriptions for medications to treat exacerbations. This consultation can be provided by any prescriber.

Proactive Respiratory RN follow-up - In person or virtual (once only): $40.17
Follow up consultation to ensure the patient is comfortable managing their respiratory condition, including appropriate inhaler use and provision of further education. 

These consultations cover all time and consumables and there can be no extra charge to the patient.

You cannot claim under this service for a patient who is acutely unwell at the time of consultation.

Submit your referral via Primary Options using the initial condition coding: Winter Respiratory Programme

When invoicing for the service please lodge an 'outcome and invoice' form and select the appropriate invoice(s).

If the patient presents acutely and meets POAC criteria, please initiate a separate referral for any invoices claimed under that POAC pathway.

Practices are required to provide sufficiently detailed consultation notes to determine appropriate use of funding.

No. A patient co-payment cannot be charged.

If a patient presents with an exacerbation of their condition and is acutely unwell you can still claim Primary Options for Acute Care where the treatment provided in general practice is preventing an admission to the emergency department. Please remember the patient still funds the initial consult in that instance.

This service is funded by Te Whatu Ora.