Respiratory physician Lutz Beckert considers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, including the prevention of COPD, the importance of smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the lifesaving potential of addressing treatable traits. He also discusses the logic of inhaler therapy, moving from single therapy to dual and triple therapy when indicated, as well as other aspects of management
Growth in rejected referrals hitting hard
Wednesday 3 July 2024, 12:00 AM

Once patients are approved for surgery, it’s critical that they stay on the waiting list and aren’t sent back to their GP without getting the treatment they need [Image: Martha-dominguez de gouveia on Unsplash]
Rejected referrals to specialist services have risen considerably. Bryan Betty discusses a new report which outlines the enormous burden this puts on patients and practices
A GP will only make a referral when it is warranted; these patients have a genuine clinical need for specialist healthcare – and they are not getting
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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