GPs have taken to a new capability to lodge work capacity medical certificates to Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) through HealthLink secure messaging with alacrity, with upwards of 60 per cent of practices having used the new service since its launch a month ago.

GPs previously had to print out and sign the certificates and give them to the patient, who then had to lodge them in person with WINZ. The Ministry of Social Development receives over 400,000 work capacity medical certificates each year.