Latest Health Headlines
Fidelity Life CEO honoured by Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 2:54 pm | Fidelity Life
Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand has recognised Fidelity Life Chief Executive Milton Jennings with a special award acknowledging his long-time support to the organisation. More >>
2013 Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter Appeal underway
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 2:26 pm | Northpower
The founder of Northland’s Electricity Rescue Helicopter service is paying tribute to the paramedics and pilots who have helped save hundreds of lives since 1988. More >>
NZ to celebrate inaugural World Day of Fruit and Vegetables
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 2:19 pm | 5 Plus A Day
New Zealand will be the first country to welcome in a new international initiative to raise the importance of increased fruit and vegetable consumption for better health. More >>
Never leave children unsupervised in vehicles, says Plunket
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 2:16 pm | New Zealand Plunket Society
Plunket is reminding parents and caregivers not to leave children alone in cars after the latest incident in Porirua. Plunket Clinical Advisor Allison Jamieson said the risks of leaving a baby or young child alone in a car were significant. More >>
Acting Director-General for Health appointed
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 2:13 pm | State Services Commission
State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie has today announced the appointment of Chai Chuah as Acting Director-General for Health and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health. More >>
Emergency department short-stay target a success story
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 1:03 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
“The six hour target to reduce waiting times in our public hospital emergency departments has achieved significant improvements since its introduction four years ago,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, ... More >>
Dietitians NZ- On the fluoridation of water
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 12:56 pm | Dietitians NZ
In light of the overwhelming support for water fluoridation at the weekend local elections, Dietitians NZ calls on the Ministry of Health to mandate the fluoridation of drinking water as part of the safe water supply for New Zealanders. More >>
Osteoporosis NZ and Anchor launch Better Bones Day
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 11:39 am | Osteoporosis New Zealand
Media Release, 17 October 2013: Baristas across the country will today be brewing Better Bones Flat Whites made with Anchor Calci+ milk to spread the word about Osteoporosis NZ’s Better Bones Week, and the need to top up calcium and vitamin D to help build ... More >>
Influenza vaccine supply secured for next three years
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 11:14 am | PHARMAC
17 October, 2013 Influenza vaccine supply secured for next three years PHARMAC has secured the national supply of influenza vaccines for the next three years. Today PHARMAC announced that GSK and Abbott Pharmaceuticals will be the suppliers of influenza ... More >>
Play safely, and reduce your risk of osteoarthritis
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 10:43 am | Arthritis New Zealand
Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby’s message for Safety Week 2013 is to exercise with care, and reduce your risk of osteoarthritis. More >>
Health Clinic Celebrates 50% Increase on First Anniversary
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 4:00 pm | Optimal Neuro Health
Nelson Neurolink business, Optimal Neuro Health, is celebrating a fifty percent increase in turnover on the first anniversary since opening its Waimea Road premises. More >>
Waikato DHB Launches Second National Patient Safety Topic
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:59 pm | Waikato District Health Board
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) today joins each of the four DHB regions - Northern, Midlands, Central and South Island - to launch the second topic of the Open for better care national patient safety campaign: reducing harm from surgical site infections ... More >>
40 million Americans provided access to Cxbladder
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:22 pm | Pacific Edge
Pacific Edge (NZX:PEB), a cancer diagnostic company leading in the development and commercialisation of molecular diagnostic tests, has signed an agreement with FedMed, a national preferred provider network in the United States, to make Cxbladder available ... More >>
Getting the Message Out About Health Services In Turangi
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:02 pm | Lakes District Health Board
Does your health or social services organisation or group provide a community service in the Turangi district? More >>
Unsung Heroes of the Operating Theatre Have Their Day
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 2:54 pm | ANZCA
Around 50 per cent of New Zealanders are not aware that their anaesthetist is a highly trained medical specialist, just like their surgeon. While the “Offspring effect” has raised awareness of the anaesthetist’s role, events such as the death of pop ... More >>
Midland DHBs Join Together With Map Of Medicine
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 2:38 pm | Waikato DHB
The roll out of a tool by five district health boards in the Midland region will allow clinicians across all sectors of health to work more closely together. More >>
International symposium to address fake pot
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 2:23 pm | NZ Drug Foundation
Questions about what exactly is synthetic cannabis and the latest research on pot imitations will be addressed at the New Zealand Drug Foundation’s Cannabis and Health Symposium in November. More >>
Investigation into anti-tumour activities to treat cancer
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 12:06 pm | University of Canterbury
A University of Canterbury (UC) postgraduate student has been researching the anti-tumour effects of resveratrol and pterostilbene, which are found naturally in grapes and berries, on ovarian cancer cells. More >>
Breast screening decision causes uncertainty for the future
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 11:11 am | PSA
A decision by the Southern District Health Board not to renew its breast screening contract will cause a lot of uncertainty for women in Otago and Southland and for staff. More >>
You can't stop a storm - you can reduce injuries
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:45 am | ACC
As the wild weather hit New Zealand this week, TV weather presenters advised Kiwis there was little they could do except batten down the hatches and ride out the storm. More >>
What will it take to get to 5% smoking prevalence 2025?
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:31 am | University of Otago
The New Zealand Government has a goal of a Smokefree Nation by 2025, often interpreted as a smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2025. This should be a major focus of the New Zealand contingent at the Smokefree Oceania Conference in Auckland next week. More >>
Eye care charity launches podcast series
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 4:22 pm | Fred Hollows Foundation
The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ today announced the launch of a podcast series to inform and inspire listeners interested in the issues of eye care, development and public health. The regular instalments of 10 minute conversations invite listeners ... More >>
Senior Doctors Endorse Nurses Concerns Over Secret TPP
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 3:52 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
“Senior doctors endorse the concerns raised by nurses about the secret negotiations over the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today. Mr Powell was commenting ... More >>
Health Navigator & MIMS to lead in online health information
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 2:26 pm | MIMS
Big plans are afoot to create one nationally trusted and supported online health information service and website for health professionals and the public. The Heath Navigator Charitable Trust has acquired MIMS (NZ) Ltd’s popular everybody content ... More >>
New Healthline symptom checker app offers online alternative
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 12:37 pm | Healthline
The thousands of people in the Auckland region who call Healthline every year now have another way to access expert health advice and information with the launch of the free Healthline symptom checker app. More >>
Advance Care Planning – good for patient care
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 10:49 am | Dr. Ben Gray
Public Health Expert What could we do, and what should we not do, to improve public health? This Blog has postings from Tony Blakely, Nick Wilson and other public health experts on issues such as efficiency, equity, interventions, politics, cost effectiveness ... More >>
Injury gives surfer newfound appreciation of cross-training
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 10:10 am | ACC
There’s nothing like getting injured to make you aware of the impact an injury can have on your life. More >>
Devil in the Details on Food Taxes and Subsidies
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 9:47 am | University of Otago
Research teams we lead have published two papers in the last few weeks on food taxes and subsidies – both of which depend on what are called price elasticities. Timely, in light of the launch last week of Appetite for Destruction that is focusing public ... More >>
Hamilton fluoride referendum - Trevor Crosbie
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 9:31 am | Trevor Crosbie
Waikato DHB chief executive Craig Climoe is wrong if he thinks the fluoride referendum vote outcome is a mandate to reinstate water fluoridation. His DHB spent $2000 for each vote in favour while the no fluoride group spent $1 per vote. He should also ... More >>
CDHB Hospitals Redevelopment - contracts being let
Monday, 14 October 2013, 5:17 pm | Canterbury District Health Board
The main contract for construction of the Christchurch Hospital redevelopment will be advertised in the first six months of 2014 to ensure that companies are given early warning of the project and it can be completed as quickly and cost effectively ... More >>
Ashburton community urged to get their kids protected
Monday, 14 October 2013, 5:15 pm | Canterbury District Health Board
Ashburton families with young children are being urged to get their children vaccinated against hepatitis A sooner rather than later. More >>
Global Handwashing Day Celebrated Worldwide 15 October
Monday, 14 October 2013, 2:59 pm | Ecostore
13 October 2013 – Tuesday (15 October) marks the annual Global Handwashing Day, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap, as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases. More >>
Goalkeeper skips warm-up – and almost misses world champs
Monday, 14 October 2013, 11:52 am | ACC
There’s nothing like getting injured to make you aware of the impact an injury can have on your life. More >>
Two new treatments for breast cancer registered in NZ
Monday, 14 October 2013, 11:10 am | Roche
Two new treatments for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer registered in New Zealand First line treatment PERJETA® and second line treatment KADCYLA® extend and improve the quality of life of patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer 14 October ... More >>
Move your Body to Improve your Mind
Monday, 14 October 2013, 11:02 am | New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals
While the benefit of exercise on our bodies is well known, exercise is also one of the best things we can do for our minds and our mental health. More >>
Will cross-party political debate help stop the heartbreak?
Monday, 14 October 2013, 10:59 am | The Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is calling on political parties to act now to address New Zealand’s biggest killer - cardiovascular disease - which accounts for 40% of all deaths in New Zealand every year. More >>
CuroNZ Wins Support From National MS Society
Monday, 14 October 2013, 10:46 am | Curonz
CuroNZ, an Auckland biotechnology start-up company developing treatments for progressive multiple sclerosis, has been awarded funding of US$ 540,000 from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through Fast Forward to support preclinical studies needed to develop ... More >>
DHB's still in trouble with Fluoridation
Monday, 14 October 2013, 9:34 am | Fluoride Action Network
After breathing a brief sigh of relief, DHBs and the Ministry of Health must be deeply troubled that after 50 years of general propaganda, four months of a national level Big Brother style propaganda campaign from prominent figures like the Chief Science ... More >>
Vitamin D supplements not needed by healthy adults
Sunday, 13 October 2013, 11:06 am | University of Auckland
The widespread use of vitamin D supplements to prevent osteoporosis in healthy adults is not necessary, according to a study by one of New Zealand’s leading medical scientists. More >>
Turanga Health takes out Community Service Award
Saturday, 12 October 2013, 12:08 pm | Turanga Health
Turanga Health won the Community Service Excellence Category of the Westpac Gisborne Business Excellence Awards last night [Friday 11 October] drawing praise from the city’s leaders and cementing its validity as a specialised provider of health services. More >>
Waikato children Energized to have healthier lives
Friday, 11 October 2013, 6:42 pm | Waikato District Health Board
Analysis from AUT University has confirmed a healthy eating and activity programme now in all Waikato primary schools is saving taxpayers money as well as improving lives. More >>
See how ecostore shower cleaner stacks up against big brands
Friday, 11 October 2013, 6:04 pm | Melanie Rands - ecostore
You might have seen the NZ herald article comparing ecostore shower cleaner to 18 other mainstream shower cleaners. Our 4.5-star rated shower cleaner uses just 3 ingredients, compared to more than 20 in some of the competing products... More >>
530,000 NZers join world to raise awareness, fight for cure
Friday, 11 October 2013, 5:27 pm | Arthritis New Zealand
“World Arthritis Day, which is celebrated every year on 12 October, provides an opportunity for those with arthritis to have their voices heard, and the opportunity to highlight some of the issues they face. More >>
Oceania Smokefree: big and the small unite against tobacco
Friday, 11 October 2013, 4:06 pm | Cancer Society New Zealand
Delegates from the largest and smallest Pacific countries, and those in between, will be flying into New Zealand later this month for a gathering of the most knowledgeable proponents of how to achieve a smoke-free society as the future norm. More >>
Fluoridation in Hamilton – Waikato University Q+A Panel
Friday, 11 October 2013, 12:40 pm | University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is hosting a Google Hangout Q&A session on Monday (14 October) where the public can direct questions to a university panel of experts on the topic “Fluoridation in Hamilton”. More >>
DHBs to combine purchasing power for $500 million of saving
Friday, 11 October 2013, 12:04 pm | Health Benefits Limited
District health boards (DHBs) are working together on a national Finance, Procurement and Supply Chain programme to combine their purchasing power. This programme is expected to save half a billion dollars over the next 10 years, with all the savings being ... More >>
Full steam ahead for new West Coast health facilities
Friday, 11 October 2013, 10:37 am | West Coast District Health
Greymouth’s new $60 million hospital and adjoining Integrated Family Health Centre is a step closer to reality with the appointment of a design team who will work with WCDHB staff to further develop initial concept designs. More >>
Referenda Will Not End the Battle Over Fluoridation
Thursday, 10 October 2013, 2:35 pm | NZ Fluoridation Information Service
If the bizarre and extreme events in Hamilton, Hastings, and Whakatane show us one thing it is that referenda are an inappropriate way to address the fluoridation issue, compared with the Tribunal process used in Hamilton and New Plymouth. This confirms ... More >>
NZBCF research to spend $800,000 over the next two years
Thursday, 10 October 2013, 12:36 pm | NZ Breast Cancer Foundation
A radiation oncology research fellowship at Auckland DHB and a Canterbury University study of the link between breast cancer and a common virus bring the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation’s research funding commitment to $800,000 over the next ... More >>
"Not So Informed Dentists Irresponsible"
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 6:44 pm | Waikato District Health Board
Media Release Date: 9 October 2013 "Not So Informed Dentists Irresponsible" The “informed” dentists who say no to fluoride should witness the trauma of teeth extractions on two-year-olds in hospital theatres and decide whether they’d wish ... More >>
National Anaesthesia Day
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 6:42 pm | ANZCA
Most people will need the care of an anaesthetist at some stage in their lives – for pain relief during the birth of a baby, for a routine day-stay procedure or for a major operation. Many of today’s operations, especially for the very young, very ... More >>
Leading UK figure in public health to speak at Waitemata DHB
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 3:21 pm | Waitemata District Health Board
A prominent UK figure in the improvement of healthcare service quality will be speaking at a public event at Waitemata DHB this week. Robert Francis QC – a UK barrister whose 40 year career in handling medical cases has earned him the tag of “the patient’s ... More >>
Research Sheds Light on Leading Cause of Blindness in NZ
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 3:03 pm | Impact PR
A narrow spectrum of UV light may be responsible for accelerating New Zealand’s most common cause of blindness new research suggests. Macular degeneration affects one in seven New Zealanders over the age of 50 and occurs when the macula or central ... More >>
World Mental Health Day: October 10, 2013
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 1:40 pm | AUT University
Mental disorders among older people often go undetected and there is concern about recent increases in suicides says AUT’s Professor Max Abbott on World Mental Health Day (WMHD). Mental health and older people is the focus of this year’s WMHD on ... More >>
Collaborative treatments showcased for nurse educators
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 12:11 pm | Massey University
A pilot study by Massey University School of Nursing staff and regional public health specialists, investigating how to reduce the high rates of skin infection in children, is being presented at a nurse educators conference in Wellington. More >>
Network Makes Strong Inroads on Service Development
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 11:02 am | Midland District Health Boards
Media Release Date: Wednesday 9 October 2013 Midland Mental Health And Addictions Network Makes Strong Inroads on Service And Workforce Development More >>
Products to Avoid During Pregnanc
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 10:32 am | Schuck PR
9 October 2013 – A United Kingdom study from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports a number of products pregnant women should avoid. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/05/advice-pregnant-women-chemicals-confusing The study has pinpointed obvious substances like pesticides and paint fumes, however ... More >>
ACC levy cuts mustn’t be at expense of access to surgery
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 10:23 am | Health Funds Association of NZ
Health insurers want ACC to add a principle to its levy-setting process to ensure adequate access to surgical treatment in rehabilitation, reducing the number of surgery claims being rejected and appealed. More >>
Strategies for success in your twenties
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 10:14 am | Outside The Square
Twenty to thirty-year-olds are the most depressed group in New Zealand according to the AUT Wellness survey released earlier this year. In an official response, Rotaract New Zealand is launching the ‘Quarter Life Movement’, an initiative inspired ... More >>
How medicines are made available for Kiwi
Wednesday, 9 October 2013, 9:59 am | Medicines New Zealand
Many Kiwis don’t know or are confused about the way in which medicines prescribed for them are assessed for safety and become funded. “For the first time, in a collaboration between Medicines New Zealand, PHARMAC and Medsafe a set of informative videos have ... More >>
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