The $3,000 tool 'every GP should have'

Waikato Hospital head of cardiology Dr Raj Nair analyses pictures taken with a Pocus during a training workshop in July. (Image: Supplied).

Cécile Meier

Fri, 29 Sep 2023

Cash-strapped GPs are reaching into their own pockets to fund a device they say should replace the stethoscope.The Point of Care Ultrasound (Pocus), a handheld device widely used by general practitioners overseas, is not publicly funded in NZ and medical students are not being taught how to use it.This has left some GPs having to learn through trial and error or even watching YouTube videos to use a tool they see as vital, especially in rural practices.Funding for Pocus devices and training would improve the accuracy of referrals for heart cond...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Primary Sector

‘Good value’ for Fonterra farmer shareholders

Independent report supports Fonterra Mainland sale to Lactalis, warns on China.

Garth Bray 10:15am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Monday, Sept 29

Can you get them all correct without cheating?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Primary Sector

Synlait to sell North Island assets to Abbott in $307m deal

Shareholders will vote at AGM in November.

Rebecca Howard 9:00am

Synlait to sell North Island assets to Abbott in $307m deal

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored