New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world,
affecting one in 6 New Zealanders

Harbour Health has recently completed a pilot using a web-based Asthma Assessment & Decision Support software tool, called GASP (Giving Asthma Support to Patients), which supports the treatment of people with asthma.  The GASP tool has the potential to transform asthma patient management & is already showing promising results in a six month pilot programme.  The tool was also reviewed & approved by Professor D. Robin Taylor & the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation in New Zealand.

The web-based tool, believed to be the first of its kind, was developed by Wendy McNaughton Respiratory Programme Manager for Harbour Health & Murray Speight, IT specialist, from Comprehensive Health Services.  Wendy, said ‘the GASP tool grew out of a passion to improve asthma management, give patients more control & a better understanding of asthma through education.”

Harbour Health now plans to roll out the GASP programme to other general practices affiliated to Harbour Health as well as continuing to train asthma nurse specialists.  Harbour Health also plans to complete a three year research project to track the impact of using the GASP tool alongside specialist asthma clinics.

For more information click here.

Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Each year in New Zealand about 160 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and it will be the cause of death for 60 of these women..  99% of instances of cervical cancer are caused by the humanpapillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Four out of five people become infected at some time during their lifetime. While most HPV infections clear by themselves, some types can cause changes on the cervix (neck of the uterus or womb) that may lead to cervical cancer many years later. Girls and young women can now be protected from the most common HPV types that can cause cervical cancer by a vaccine called Gardasil. The vaccine works by causing the body’s immune system to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these HPV types and is most effective if given before girls are exposed to HPV virus (ie before they start having any sexual contact) From September 1st 2008 FREE HPV vaccine will be offered to young women born in 1990 and 1991 and younger girls who have left school. by all general practices affiliated to Harbour Health. School vaccination programmes will commence in 2009 for all young women aged 12 – 18 years. The vaccine programme requires three doses of the vaccine given over a six month period to provide the most effective protection. It is important that girls and young women have regular cervical smears from the age of 20 years once they become sexually active as Gardasil does not protect against all causes of Cervical Cancer. Other information may be found on www.immune.org.nz and www.cervicalcancervaccine.govt.nz.  or phone or visit your General Practice to speak to your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse.