Latest Health Headlines
MenW Vaccination Campaign reaches mid-point in Northland
Friday, 21 December 2018, 4:01 pm | Northland DHB
While nearly 11,000 Northlanders have been vaccinated in just 16 days; Medical Officer of Health Dr Jose Ortega Benito cautions the public not to become complacent, as we have only reached the mid-point of the campaign. More >>
Myth busting the effects of vaping
Friday, 21 December 2018, 2:44 pm | Hapai Te Hauora
"I want to quit cigarettes for my pregnancy, does that mean I can vape?": Myth busting the effects of vaping More >>
Plunket Society joins the Federation
Friday, 21 December 2018, 1:34 pm | Federation of Primary Health
The Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa New Zealand (the Federation), whose purpose includes fostering effective partnerships and collaborations, has welcomed The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Plunket) to their growing list of member organisations. More >>
Syphilis. It's back. Get Tested. Get Treated
Friday, 21 December 2018, 12:33 pm | Hawke's Bay District Health Board
Cases of syphilis, a sexually transmissible infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems if left untreated and poses a serious risk to unborn babies, are expected to rise in Hawke’s Bay with national figures more than doubling since ... More >>
Have yourself a ‘mindful eating’ Christmas
Friday, 21 December 2018, 10:46 am | Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation dietitian Hannah Keddell says if you focus on “mindful eating”, you needn’t feel guilty about enjoying Christmas treats. More >>
Hui Aligns Healthcare for Māori Across Northern DHBs
Friday, 21 December 2018, 10:20 am | Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi
Iwi from across the upper North Island have come together in an historic health-sector first, paving the way for a unified approach to the delivery of healthcare to Māori More >>
Care around the clock continues over the holidays
Friday, 21 December 2018, 9:47 am | Canterbury District Health Board
This summer, wherever your holidays take you around New Zealand, remember that you can still get free health advice whenever you need it. More >>
Syphilis cases on the rise in Manawatū
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 3:03 pm | MidCentral District Health Board
Syphilis cases on the rise in Manawatū It is coming into the holiday period and syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that was almost gone from New Zealand, is now a public health issue again. There has been a large increase in the number ... More >>
Achievements celebrated in this year’s Quality Account
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 12:10 pm | MidCentral District Health Board
Improvements and achievements celebrated in this year’s Quality Account Work by MidCentral District Health Board and Central Primary Health Organisation to improve the services provided to the community have been highlighted in the 2017/2018 Quality ... More >>
PHA applauds MenW campaign
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 9:56 am | Public Health Association
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) applauds the great progress being made in the fight against Meningococcal W currently underway in Northland. More >>
Choose Well This Holiday Period.
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 9:41 am | Hawke's Bay District Health Board
Hawke’s Bay people and visitors are encouraged to Choose Well for health care this Christmas/New Year holiday period. Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Chief Medical and Dental Officer – Hospital, Dr John Gommans stressed the importance ... More >>
Cancer sufferers once again let down by PHARMAC
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 9:38 am | Maori Council
The New Zealand Maori Council has called on both the Maori Affairs Select Committee and the Health Select Committee of the New Zealand Parliament to “explain” where things are at with the Inquiry call into life saving and life extending medications ... More >>
MCANZ Wants Cannabis Vaporizers legalized for Christmas
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 9:26 am | MCANZ
With the Government's Medical Cannabis Bill gaining Royal assent this week, MCANZ would now like to see a rapid amendment to allow a certain class of cannabis utensils to be legalized. More >>
70% of clinicians concerned about unnecessary interventions
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 7:53 pm | Council Of Medical Colleges
Survey finds nearly 70 percent of clinicians concerned about unnecessary medical interventions 19 December 2018 A survey of around 800 doctors and nurses has found that nearly 70 percent consider the provision of unnecessary tests, procedures or ... More >>
Women who petitioned Parliament get nothing from PHARMAC
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 7:26 pm | Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
Women who petitioned Parliament get nothing from PHARMAC’s Santa Women who stood on the steps of Parliament in October to present petitions to MPs calling for the funding of two important breast cancer medicines have been given a setback by PHARMAC ... More >>
Stay Strong - Live Longer
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 5:32 pm | New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals
With the rise in popularity of more movement and mindfulness based exercise options, and with proven benefits and results, it can be tempting to think the days of pure strength and resistance training in a traditional gym environment are losing popularity. More >>
An increase to the minimum wage is an increase to wellbeing
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 4:24 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation welcomes the increase to the minimum wage announced today and commends the Government for its commitment to the health and wellbeing of low paid workers. More >>
Hawke’s Bay DHB releases third health equity report
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 3:58 pm | Hawkes Bay District Health Board
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s third Health Equity report provides a stark reminder that constant attention, and new ways of working are needed to maintain progress to eliminate inequities in health. More >>
Uninvited biting guests over the summer season
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 2:32 pm | Northland District Health Board
As the warm, humid summer season quickly approaches, Northlanders may be visited by the ever- annoying mosquito while gathering around the BBQ. More >>
Phone your GP day or night for medical advice
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 7:19 pm | Bay Of Plenty DHB
Phone your GP day or night for healthcare advice is the message going out to Western Bay of Plenty residents this Christmas and New Year. More >>
Prepare in advance to avoid unnecessary summer GP visits
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 5:12 pm | Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Prepare in advance is the message going out to the Eastern Bay of Plenty residents this Christmas and New Year. More >>
Funded Family Care stakeholder engagement report released
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 2:36 pm | Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health has published a report as a result of targeted engagement on the Government’s intention to change Funded Family Care. More >>
One Step Closer to Eliminiating a Chronic Disease
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 2:18 pm | Hep C Action Aotearoa
Hep C Action Aotearoa welcomes the announcement from Pharmac to fund a medicine that will treat hepatitis C. This is great news for New Zealanders who have for years struggled to access funding for their treatment. More >>
Insulation can worsen unhealthy home issues
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 11:41 am | Tether
An air tight home does not equal a healthy home and may even exacerbate the damp, stagnant conditions that lead to mould, mildew and respiratory problems likes asthma and pneumonia among children and older adults in New Zealand. More >>
Overdiagnosing, overtesting causing harm
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 10:59 am | Council Of Medical Colleges
The first New Zealander elected to lead the peak body for emergency medicine in New Zealand and Australia says there are a lot of things being done in medical practice that are not supported by evidence and are not free from harm. More >>
New Drug Offers Hope for Kiwis Living With Rare Disorder
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 10:53 am | Roche
New Zealanders living with a rare blood disorder which can cause spontaneous, fatal internal bleeding and excruciating arthritis-like symptoms are set to benefit from the Medsafe registration of a new medicine. More >>
Red Nose Day enables life-changing child health research
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 10:21 am | CureKids
Ground-breaking medical research to improve, extend and save the lives of Kiwi kids will go ahead thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who raised nearly $1 million for Cure Kids in this year’s Red Nose Day appeal. More >>
Tooth-conscious toddlers to win oral health challenge
Monday, 17 December 2018, 3:08 pm | Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Tooth-conscious toddlers ‘Whakārohia te Māngai, Whakārohia te Hauora’ to win oral health challenge More >>
New Treatment Available for Hepatitis C1
Monday, 17 December 2018, 2:33 pm | Porter Novelli
Wellington, 17 December 2018 – AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) New Zealand today announced MAVIRET® (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) would be fully funded by PHARMAC from 1 February 2019 giving New Zealanders living with all major genotypes of hepatitis C access ... More >>
PHARMAC funds potential Hepatitis C cure
Monday, 17 December 2018, 1:02 pm | PHARMAC
Life changing treatment for New Zealanders living with hepatitis C will be available from 1 February 2019, after PHARMAC funds a new treatment. The medicine known as Maviret (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) can be prescribed to people with hepatitis ... More >>
Improving patient care the focus of Annual Quality Awards
Monday, 17 December 2018, 10:20 am | Canterbury District Health Board
The recent Canterbury Health System Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards recognised and showcased how changes have been made to improve the quality of health care. More >>
Vets successfully perform NZ-first procedure to save pets
Monday, 17 December 2018, 9:09 am | VSA Hospital
A potentially fatal condition that affects pets throughout the world has been treated for the first time in New Zealand through an incision no bigger than a needle prick, thanks to the efforts and research of Veterinary Specialists Auckland. More >>
Meningococcal disease case confirmed as MenW strain
Friday, 14 December 2018, 4:19 pm | MidCentral District Health Board
Meningococcal disease case confirmed as MenW strain Tests have confirmed that the patient admitted to Palmerston North Hospital this week with meningococcal disease has contracted the MenW strain. More >>
New Collaborative Opthalmology Project Announced
Friday, 14 December 2018, 11:22 am | Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health is today announcing a new year-long project aimed at reducing waiting times and improving care for people with eye conditions. More >>
Enlafax – Monitoring to Continue
Friday, 14 December 2018, 10:50 am | Ministry of Health
Two separate Ministerial Expert Advisory Groups have concluded that a rise in adverse reaction reporting to a commonly prescribed antidepressant is not caused by medicine safety or quality concerns. More >>
DHBs urge midwives to reconsider
Thursday, 13 December 2018, 7:33 pm | District Health Boards
District Health Boards are hoping midwives will reconsider the pay offer from DHBs before voting on further strike action. More >>
Prestigious fellowship awarded to BOP DHB recipient
Thursday, 13 December 2018, 7:06 pm | Bay Of Plenty DHB
Prestigious fellowship awarded to Bay of Plenty District Health Board recipient for fourth time in six years More >>
Important step in the right direction
Thursday, 13 December 2018, 12:37 pm | National Addiction Centre
Government should be applauded for taking a small but important step in the right direction to better control illicit drugs More >>
Ministry restructure heads up top 10 most-read stories
Thursday, 13 December 2018, 12:12 pm | Health Informatics
News of the creation of a Data and Digital directorate at the Ministry of Health was the top-read story on eHealthNews.nz in 2018. More >>
Sepsis clinical tools work straight away at Waikato Hospital
Wednesday, 12 December 2018, 5:26 pm | Waikato DHB
Sepsis can be treated; the challenge is detection in the early stages and ensuring six key steps are taken in the first hour of recognition. This "Sepsis Six" doubles a patient’s chance of survival and is a core component of a sepsis improvement ... More >>
Third Wellington GP strike to go ahead
Wednesday, 12 December 2018, 5:15 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
A third Wellington GP strike is set to go ahead tomorrow as general practitioners continue to show solidarity with their dental colleagues. More >>
First nationwide study of listeria in mothers and babies
Wednesday, 12 December 2018, 10:15 am | University of Otago
The first study of the burden of listeria in pregnant New Zealanders and their babies has found reassuringly low rates of the infection – indicating food safety warnings are working to prevent unnecessary cases of miscarriage, still birth, and meningitis ... More >>
Measles alert for travellers from Philippines
Tuesday, 11 December 2018, 2:15 pm | Auckland Regional Public Health Service
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has been notified of a new case of measles and is asking people who may have come in contact with that person to watch out for symptoms. More >>
Pacific course looks to address alarming life expectancy
Monday, 10 December 2018, 8:02 pm | The Heart Foundation
Pacific people need to focus more on improving nutrition, if they are to reverse the alarming life expectancy statistics which is seeing them dying younger and having higher rates of chronic diseases than all other New Zealanders. More >>
Anaesthetic technician strike action planned
Monday, 10 December 2018, 3:52 pm | Hawke's Bay District Health Board
Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s anaesthetic technicians, who are members of the Association of Professionals and Executive Employee Inc (APEX), have voted to strike for 48 hours from 7am Monday 17 December until 7am Wednesday 19 December 2018. More >>
Pacific course looks to address alarming statistics
Monday, 10 December 2018, 11:46 am | The Heart Foundation
Pacific people need to focus more on improving nutrition, if they are to reverse the alarming life expectancy statistics which is seeing them dying younger and having higher rates of chronic diseases than all other New Zealanders. More >>
Opportunities for Use of e-Therapies for Mental Care
Monday, 10 December 2018, 10:05 am | NZ College of Clinical Psychologists
The New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP) welcomes the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction support for expanding the use of online or app-based self-help e-therapies. These accessible resources will help people deal with mental ... More >>
Second Wellington GP strike planned for tomorrow
Sunday, 9 December 2018, 12:12 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
Doctors at five Wellington general practices are due to strike for an hour tomorrow morning, the second in a series of walkouts over the exclusion of their dentist colleagues from their collective employment agreement. More >>
Nicky’s death was “avoidable”, says Coroner
Friday, 7 December 2018, 7:36 pm | Dave Macpherson
Nicky’s death was “avoidable”, says Coroner Coroner Wallace Bain has formally found that our son and brother Nicky Stevens’ death was as a result of suicide. That is one more figure to add to the awful suicide statistics in this country, but ... More >>
Public hospital specialists deserve safe staffing, says NZNO
Friday, 7 December 2018, 5:38 pm | NZNO
The New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO) supports the Association of Senior Medical Specialists’ (ASMS’s) call for safer staffing conditions for senior doctors and dentists working in public hospitals. It also agrees that district health boards ... More >>
NZNO says workforce issues missing in report
Friday, 7 December 2018, 5:37 pm | NZNO
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) welcomes He Ara Oranga, the report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, but says more emphasis on nursing and workforce wellbeing is required. More >>
Doctors walked off the job at five Wellington GP practices
Friday, 7 December 2018, 5:32 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
Doctors at five Wellington general practices walked off the job for an hour this morning over the exclusion of their dentist colleagues from the collective employment agreement covering doctors. More >>
Raising awareness and prevention of SUDI
Friday, 7 December 2018, 12:26 pm | Parents Centre
Between 40-50 babies die each year from SUDI (Sudden Unexplained Death of an Infant), and most are preventable! More >>
Call for Improved Access to Mental Health welcomed
Friday, 7 December 2018, 10:11 am | NZCCP
The New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (NZCCP) supports the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction recommendation to increase access to mental health care through primary care services (such as GP practices). Addressing psychological issues ... More >>
NZ’s Counsellors Association support MHI recommendations
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 7:12 pm | New Zealand Association of Counsellors
The New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) welcomes the Mental Health Inquiry’s (MHI) recommendations, however they urge government to address urgent need by increasing funding for school guidance counsellors immediately. More >>
Southern DHB raising awareness of safe sleep practices
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 4:45 pm | Southern District Health Board
National Safe Sleep Day - Southern DHB raising awareness of safe sleep practices Southern parents with young babies are being reminded of safe sleep practices to protect their children and reduce the chance of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy ... More >>
RANZCP welcomes He Ara Oranga report
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 4:27 pm | Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists
RANZCP welcomes He Ara Oranga report into mental health and addiction The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ New Zealand National Committee – Tu Te Akaaka Roa – welcomes the much anticipated report of the Government Inquiry ... More >>
Early Childhood Education Sunsmartest
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 4:22 pm | Canterbury DHB
Early childhood educators are creative and conscientious in protecting young children from skin damage from our harsh New Zealand sun. A recent survey by the Cancer Society and Canterbury District Health Board of 26 early childhood education settings showed ... More >>
DHBs leveraging cloud for clinical and non-clinical data
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 3:28 pm | eHealthNews.nz
Seventeen of New Zealand’s district health boards are hosting some of their clinical and non-clinical data offsite using cloud services. More >>
ANZASW response to He Ara Oranga report
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 12:40 pm | Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers
The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) broadly supports the findings and recommendations of the newly-released Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction - He Ara Oranga. More >>
