Latest Health Policy Headlines
Crown Put To The Test Before The Waitangi Tribunal On Health System Inequities
Tue, 19 Mar 2024 10:44:08 +1300 | Te Kohao Health
WAI2575 Health Services & Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry Investigating More Breaches WAI3307 New Claim Filed Against Disestablishment of Te Aka Whai OraMore >>
Pharmac-initiated Lengthy Review A Waste Of Valuable Time And Resources, Says Rare Disorders NZ
Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:10:17 +1300 | Rare Disorders NZ
Rare Disorders NZ is very concerned that Pharmac will not extend access to life-saving medicines for children with rare disorders in line with child cancer patients under Rule 8.1bMore >>
Dental Association Urges Government To Switch Off Sugar Tap In Schools
Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:33:56 +1300 | New Zealand Dental Association
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is urging Government health and education ministries to agree and implement some simple measures to help improve the oral health of our nation’s adolescents this World Oral Health Day (observed 20 March). NZDA ...More >>
Challenges Facing The Funding Of New Cancer Treatment Drugs
Mon, 18 Mar 2024 19:02:26 +1300 | Ian Powell
Funding new cancer drugs – good but…. In last year’s election campaign the then in opposition National Party promised to allocate $280 million to fund new 13 cancer therapies (drugs) that had yet to be approved for funding by Aotearoa New ...More >>
Council Calls For Feedback On New Health Strategy
Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:26:07 +1300 | Kapiti Coast District Council
The Kāpiti Coast District Council is seeking feedback on its new health strategy, with consultation open until 20 April. The proposed health strategy will strengthen Council’s existing public health responsibilities as well as determine areas of ...More >>
Health, Food Prices And Affordable Housing Top Priorities For Kiwis
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:19:43 +1300 | Horizon Research Limited
Kiwis are telling the government to focus most on improving health, rising food prices and affordable housing. Horizon Research presented a list of 42 issues and asked adults nationwide which were the most important for the current government ...More >>
Child Cancer Foundation On Pharmac's Decision To Retain Rule 8.1b
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:49:11 +1300 | Child Cancer Foundation
Monica Briggs CEO of Child Cancer Foundation today welcomed Pharmac’s decision to retain rule 8.1b of the Pharmaceutical Schedule . The rule, which is a fundamental part of our paediatric oncology system, allows doctors to access international best ...More >>
Funding Process For Child Cancer Medicines To Remain
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:10:31 +1300 | PHARMAC
Pharmac – Te Pātaka Whaioranga has decided to keep Rule 8.1b, which allows medicines for treating children with cancer to be automatically funded without Pharmac assessment. “We’ve heard very clearly from clinicians and the whānau of child and adolescent ...More >>
Government Report Ignores Our Most Vulnerable
Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:16:10 +1300 | IHC
IHC New Zealand is dismayed that a new Government report, billed as a “nationwide picture of the population’s health,” ignores the 47,000 people with intellectual disability in New Zealand. Te Whata Ora Health New Zealand’s Health Status Report ...More >>
Recognition Of General Practice’s Crucial Role In Childhood Immunisations Welcomed
Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:51:51 +1300 | Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners welcomes the decision that the important role general practices play in the delivery of childhood immunisations will be recognised with more funding. In discussion last night at the General Practice ...More >>
People With Disability Must Be Equal Partners In Reform: PWDA Responds To The Federal Government’s Progress Update
Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:01:53 +1300 | People with Disability Australia - PWDA
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is calling for people with disability to be recognised as equal partners in determining reforms flowing from the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review. The call comes in the wake of today’s release ...More >>
Govt Takes Action To Drive Better Cancer Services
Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:03:32 +1300 | New Zealand Government
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile ...More >>
Over 5000 Pandemic Stories Received By Covid-19 Inquiry
Tue, 12 Mar 2024 10:17:35 +1300 | NZ Royal Commission
With almost two weeks of public submissions still to go, over 5000 stories of the pandemic have been shared so far with the Covid-19 Inquiry, says Inquiry Chair Professor Tony Blakely. “A vital part of the work of the Inquiry is hearing from Aotearoa ...More >>
Road Ambulance Service Cuts Highlight Vulnerability Of Ownership Model
Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:08:18 +1300 | Ian Powell
The vulnerability of Aotearoa New Zealand’s road ambulance service was highlighted by the announcement last month than the largest ambulance (Hato Hone St John) was looking to pull ambulances off the road because of rising fiscal deficits. It raised ...More >>
The New Zealand Initiative Calls For Immediate Action To Retain And Expand The GP Workforce Following Recent Study
Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:00:19 +1300 | The New Zealand Initiative
Considering a recent study highlighting the severe limitations on general practice enrolments due to capacity issues, The New Zealand Initiative urges a renewed focus on retaining the existing GP workforce and expanding their roles and functions. This ...More >>
Lung Health Experts Call On The Government To Partner On Smokefree Strategy
Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:19:40 +1300 | Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
The Thoracic Society is saddened by the repeal of New Zealand’s world-leading smokefree legislation. Passed under urgency, the New Zealand public and healthcare experts alike were not given due process on the repeal of all three critical components ...More >>
Health System An Afterthought In 100-day Plan
Fri, 8 Mar 2024 14:36:00 +1300 | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. “Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has ignored the general practice ...More >>
Government Not Vigorous Enough In Growing Nurses To Achieve Health Targets
Fri, 8 Mar 2024 14:32:51 +1300 | NZNO
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says it’s great the Government has announced five new health targets, but wonders how they will be met without a full nursing workforce that is locally grown and culturally ...More >>
Health Targets Will Deliver Better Outcomes For New Zealanders
Fri, 8 Mar 2024 13:03:06 +1300 | New Zealand Government
The coalition Government’s commitment to five key health targets will drive better outcomes for all New Zealanders, in the concluding announcement to its 100 day plan. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced the targets in Whangārei, saying they represented ...More >>
Strong Support For School Lunches With Over 16,000 Signatures In 24 Hours
Thu, 7 Mar 2024 11:06:30 +1300 | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. “Teachers, parents and school communities are incredibly passionate about the free ...More >>