WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALND, 1999 AUG 19 (NB) -- New Zealand's Ministry of Health distributed Y2K contingency planning booklets to GPs and rest homes throughout the country this week, warning them of possible disruption and how to prepare for it.

The booklet for doctors, the New Millennium and Contingency Planning for General Practitioners, provides a resource for those GPs who have not yet finalized Y2K contingency plans.

Director General of Health Karen Poutasi said that although the Ministry of Health is not directly responsible for these agencies, it felt it was important that they had good information at hand.

"They provide a guide to help these organizations approach the matter systematically and appropriately to ensure the continuity of business as usual," said Poutasi.

She added that New Zealand hospitals have made good progress in preparing for Y2K. "The health sector in New Zealand is well up with preparations elsewhere in the world and no significant year end disruption is expected."