Latest Health Headlines [Page 5]
Older people urged to be cautious and vigilant
Monday, 24 June 2013, 2:47 pm | Age Concern
Older people are being urged to never let their guard down when it comes to home security and personal safety in the wake of a string of home invasions in Auckland. More >>
Fertility treatment offers women fewer daily injections
Monday, 24 June 2013, 2:32 pm | ELONVA
New Zealand women choosing to undergo an assisted reproductive technology (ART) programme may now have a more convenient and less stressful option. One injection of ELONVA, launched in New Zealand this month, may replace seven daily injections of conventional ... More >>
Winter illness strikes - but is it influenza?
Monday, 24 June 2013, 2:27 pm | National Influenza Strategy Group
Chilly winter weather appears to have brought with it a sudden rise in influenza-like-illness (ILI) around the country but health experts say the influenza virus is not the main culprit yet. More >>
Why put up with a leaky bladder?
Monday, 24 June 2013, 10:43 am | NZ Continence Association
1.1 Million New Zealanders experience incontinence (bladder and bowel problems; that is 1 in 4 people.You wouldn’t put up with a leaking roof - why put up with a leaky bladder. More >>
Meningococcal Resource - Questions you should ask
Monday, 24 June 2013, 10:18 am | Northland District Health Board
The parents of a 14-month-old Northland toddler who died of Meningococcal disease last year have taken action to help prevent further similar deaths. More >>
Heart attack prevention takes a step forward
Sunday, 23 June 2013, 8:09 pm | PHARMAC
Treatment for the heart condition acute coronary syndrome (ACS) gets a boost from 1 July with funding for the new generation blood thinning drug ticagrelor (Brilinta) More >>
Tunstall a continued support for people living with MND
Friday, 21 June 2013, 1:51 pm | Tunstall Healthcare
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Global Awareness Day, June 21, is internationally celebrated as a solstice turning point – with significance in the hope held that the day will be another turning point in the search for cause, treatment and cure of the disease. More >>
Stories raise awareness of motor neurone disease
Friday, 21 June 2013, 11:04 am | MND Association
Father of three Neil Ladyman is not letting motor neurone disease stop him from living life to the full. Neil is sharing his experience of the progressive disease, which around 300 people in New Zealand have, to mark MND Global Awareness Day in New Zealand. More >>
Canterbury Health System Snow Update 2 - Thursday, 20 June
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 5:23 pm | David Meates
Contingency plans remain in place throughout the Canterbury Health System to ensure essential health services are kept up and running. More >>
More than 8,000 Kiwi Men check their score
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 2:49 pm | Caltex New Zealand
This June Caltex asked Kiwi men to start looking after their health in the same way they often look after their cars, and over 8,000 men have responded. Kiwi men were invited to complete the “What’s Your Score” survey and find out their annual ... More >>
Reduction in Medication Errors after Implementation
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 2:10 pm | CSC
The New Zealand Ministry of Health has awarded CSC a five-year, NZ$17 million contract for the provision of its in-hospital prescribing and administration solution, MedChart, to all 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) across the country. More >>
Downward Trend For Abortions Welcomed
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 12:28 pm | Family Life International
Family Life International NZ welcomes the news that the 2012 abortion figures are once again significantly down on the previous year. More >>
Vigil and Plunket team up to promote child health
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 12:14 pm | New Zealand Plunket Society
The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Inc.) is collaborating with Sir Ray Avery’s Vigil Wireless Sensor Technology to investigate the opportunity to develop a world first, secure, cloud-based neonatal monitoring system. More >>
Painfully Cold Hands And Toes Find Relief
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 11:43 am | Skin Technology
Cold, throbbing hands and toes are a common complaint during New Zealand winters. The freezing blast of weather that has hit the country this week means Kiwis up and down the country will be feeling the chill. However, according to James Fraher, owner ... More >>
Waitemata DHB extends electronic prescription of medicine
Thursday, 20 June 2013, 10:18 am | Waitemata District Health Board
Patient safety and quality of care is set to improve even further at Waitemata District Health Board with the expansion of electronic prescribing and administration of medications at its main clinical sites. More >>
More Green Leaves Needed In Samoan Diet
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 3:28 pm | Women in Business NZ Limited
How do you get Samoans eating more of the nation’s healthiest leafy green vegetables? More >>
Canterbury Health System - Snow Update 1
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 3:24 pm | Canterbury DHB
Contingency plans are in place throughout the Canterbury Health System to ensure essential health services are kept up and running. At this stage, it is business as usual at all hospitals, GP practices and pharmacies across Canterbury. More >>
American Heart Association Backs Transcendental Meditation
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 3:09 pm | Maharishi Foundation
A Christchurch doctor is endorsing a recent report issued by the American Heart Association which encourages the use of Transcendental Meditation in clinical practice for the treatment of hypertension in the prevention of heart attack and strokes. More >>
Maori Health Supports Tobacco-Free Early Childhood Centre
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 2:29 pm | Waikato District Health Board
Te Puna Oranga, Waikato District Health Board's Māori Health service, has celebrated another victory in the war against tobacco with a ceremony to honour Bright Stars Educare as the first early childhood centre in New Zealand to become Tupeka Kore ... More >>
Warm dry homes a must for those with a respiratory condition
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 1:38 pm | Asthma Foundation
There is now irrefutable evidence that cold, damp houses are bad for our health –particularly for those with respiratory problems. There is also a well-established connection between poverty and poor respiratory health. More >>
Whooping Cough Epidemic in Northland Poses Risks for Babies
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 1:29 pm | Northland DHB
Whooping cough causes outbreaks in New Zealand every 3-5 years, partly as a result of historically low immunisation coverage. Whooping cough is a highly infectious bacterial infection spread by sneezing and coughing. More >>
Guidelines for Managers of Volunteer Services Launched
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 12:21 pm | Hospice NZ
“With more than 13,000 people spending more than 480,000 hours volunteering for hospice every year, we need to ensure their experience is satisfying and meaningful. That is why we have developed The Hospice Guidelines for Managers of Volunteer Services ... More >>
Building Capacity Amongst Specialist Disciplines
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 12:17 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
In preparing for this presentation I wondered how I might best describe the workplace environment of public hospital specialists. Features of this 24/7 environment include intensity, complexity, highly skilled, passionate and labour intensive. I could not ... More >>
Abortion Statistics: Year ended December 2012
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 11:53 am | Statistics New Zealand
The number of abortions performed in New Zealand decreased in 2012, Statistics New Zealand said today. A total of 14,745 induced abortions were performed in New Zealand in 2012, 1,118 fewer than in 2011. More >>
Food in Schools is a start; now let’s deal with tough issues
Wednesday, 19 June 2013, 9:20 am | Choice Foundation
Following the announcement of the $9.5 million dollar government investment in the ‘Food For Schools’ programme, the Choice Foundation joins a growing list of children’s advocacy groups that have said that while the move is a step in the right direction, ... More >>
College of GPs appoints first Medical Director
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 1:30 pm | Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has appointed Dr Samantha (Sam) Murton as its first Medical Director, the College’s CEO, Helen Morgan-Banda, announced today. More >>
Good news for Bay of Plenty cancer patients
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 1:13 pm | Bay of Plenty District Health Board
Bay of Plenty cancer patients will no longer have to travel for their radiotherapy as more cancer treatments become available in Tauranga towards the end of 2014. More >>
Amazing volunteers recognised
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 12:57 pm | Arthritis New Zealand
Arthritis New Zealand is delighted that the volunteering efforts of Kathie Smith and Matthew Wadham have been recognised in the 2013 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards. More >>
Shopping List For Life-saving Drugs In the Spotlight
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 12:42 pm | PNH Support Association of New Zealand
For the first time, PHARMAC, the Government’s medicines funding agency, is giving the public the chance to have a say on the decision-making criteria it uses to stock the national drug cabinet. More >>
Value of Medicines Award worth $20,000 to a keen researcher
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 12:10 pm | Medicines New Zealand
Entries for the 2013 Medicines New Zealand Value of Medicines Award are now open. “The Medicines New Zealand Value of Medicines Award encourages and showcases innovative projects that have the potential to improve health outcomes for New Zealanders, through ... More >>
Lonely older people gain company from volunteer visitors
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 11:28 am | Age Concern
In New Zealand last year, Age Concern’s 2300 volunteer visitors collectively made more than 75,000 visits and 15,000 supportive phone calls, through the charitable organisation’s Accredited Visiting Service (AVS), to older people wanting more ... More >>
Top 10 wellness tips for winter
Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 10:14 am | Auckland Regional Public Health Service
The winter season is almost upon us, and now is a good time to start thinking about how you can keep yourself and family healthy this winter. Auckland Regional Public Health Service’s top ten wellness tips for winter aim to help you spend your time ... More >>
Population ageing is Australasia’s greatest health challenge
Monday, 17 June 2013, 3:05 pm | Emergency Medicine Australasia
If “demography is destiny”, emergency departments will inevitably be overwhelmed by the acute care needs of older people, according to a paper published in the latest issue of Emergency Medicine Australasia , the journal of the Australasian College ... More >>
High blood pressure identified as issue post-earthquake
Monday, 17 June 2013, 3:03 pm | Emergency Medicine Australasia
Management of chronic diseases such as hypertension has been identified as a major issue in earthquake-affected rural areas, according to a study published in the latest issue of Emergency Medicine Australasia , the journal of the Australasian College ... More >>
Private EDs can take pressure off public hospitals
Monday, 17 June 2013, 3:01 pm | Emergency Medicine Australasia
Public hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Australia have become increasingly congested due to increasing demand and access block. Six percent of ED patients attend private hospital EDs, although 45% of the population hold private health insurance. More >>
Obesity does not appear to adversely affect ED treatment
Monday, 17 June 2013, 2:58 pm | Emergency Medicine Australasia
Obesity does not appear to adversely affect emergency department (ED) treatment, according to a study published in the latest issue of Emergency Medicine Australasia, the journal of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. More >>
Blood pressure cuffs vectors for organism transmission
Monday, 17 June 2013, 2:56 pm | Emergency Medicine Australasia
Blood pressure cuffs are potential vectors for transmission of multi-resistant organisms , according to a study published in the latest issue of Emergency Medicine Australasia, the journal of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. More >>
$4m Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Opens in Chch
Monday, 17 June 2013, 2:37 pm | St John of God Hauora Trust
Disability leader, St John of God Hauroa Trust, is opening The Granada Centre, a $4 million facility which stands to become a centre of excellence for therapy and rehabilitation for adults with physical and neurological disabilities. More >>
Soup splatters, slippers slip: ACC insights into winter woes
Monday, 17 June 2013, 2:20 pm | Accident Compensation Corporation
There’s nothing more comforting than a hearty bowl of soup on a cold winter day – unless, of course, the soup ends up injuring you! Soup, slippers, snow and ice, umbrellas, heaters and firewood are all things we associate with winter – and all ... More >>
Research needed to help people with swallowing disorders
Monday, 17 June 2013, 2:07 pm | University of Canterbury
About 3000 New Zealanders are affected by dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties, from stroke alone in New Zealand each year. More >>
Healthier Pacific mums and babies target for new conference
Monday, 17 June 2013, 11:34 am | Joint Press Release
Healthier Pacific mums and babies are the target for New Zealand’s first Pacific Maternal and Infant Health Conference this Thursday, June 20 in Auckland. More >>
Safe Sleep Day announced to protect babies
Monday, 17 June 2013, 11:17 am | Joint Press Release
The first National Safe Sleep Campaign and Safe Sleep Day (scheduled for Friday, December 6) will be announced by Whakawhetu at the opening of the Mokopuna Ora Conference, on Friday, June 21. More >>
The Royal NZ SPCA does not condone animal testing
Monday, 17 June 2013, 10:57 am | Royal New Zealand SPCA
Royal New Zealand SPCA National President Bob Kerridge remains opposed to animal testing despite the recommendation of the Psychoactive Substances Interim Expert Advisory Committee to allow severely restricted animal tests. More >>
Chief Science Advisor Out of Step with Science
Monday, 17 June 2013, 9:03 am | Mark Atkin - Flouride Action Network NZ
Chief Science Advisor Out of Step with Science“The science is settled” is one of the most unscientific things anyone can say, let alone the Chief Scientific Advisor. More >>
Rural Women launches Y Front Up for Prostate Cancer campaign
Friday, 14 June 2013, 6:37 pm | Rural Women
Pikelets are proving popular with the punters at the Rural Women New Zealand stand at the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton. More >>
ePortfolio pilot a success
Friday, 14 June 2013, 5:02 pm | Northland District Health Board
Nurses across New Zealand can now build their competency portfolio online thanks to Ngā Manukura o Āpōpō ePortfolio (NMoA) pilot project which was designed to test the concept of an open source ePortfolio system for nurses in New Zealand. More >>
Healthline receives nearly 25,000 calls from Auckland region
Friday, 14 June 2013, 4:03 pm | Medibank
The free health information and advice phone service Healthline – 0800 611 116 – continues to be very popular with Aucklanders, receiving nearly 25,000 calls from the Auckland region in the January to March 2013 quarter. More >>
Cambodian's to Benefit From Expertise of Kiwi Eye Specialist
Friday, 14 June 2013, 12:53 pm | Auckland Eye
Dr Justin Mora, of Auckland Eye, will be the first of twelve Australasian eye specialists to travel to Cambodia in July to help set up a paediatric ophthalmology service. More >>
Volunteers are the heart of Plunket
Friday, 14 June 2013, 12:30 pm | New Zealand Plunket Society
Volunteer Awareness Week (16-22 June) is a chance to acknowledge and thank more than one million New Zealanders who give their time and skills to make a difference in their communities every year. More >>
Nutrient Coq10 Can Reduce Heart Failure by Half
Friday, 14 June 2013, 11:40 am | Natural Products
Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for 40% of deaths annually. Many of these deaths are premature and preventable and there is now hope on the horizon in the form of a little- talked-about nutrient. More >>
Births no safer for Kiwi mothers and babies
Thursday, 13 June 2013, 3:14 pm | Action to Improve Maternity
The latest Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) report released yesterday shows New Zealand mothers continue to die in childbirth, with no let-up in the figures since the PMMRC starting analysing data seven years ago. More >>
Health officials encourage hand washing to stop germs
Thursday, 13 June 2013, 3:00 pm | Canterbury DHB
Canterbury health officials are highlighting the importance of hand washing following recent increases in Hepatitis A cases and reports of stomach bugs circulating in the region. More >>
Hamilton Council’s fluoride removal concerns NZ physicians
Thursday, 13 June 2013, 2:58 pm | Royal Australasian College of Physicians
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) urges the Hamilton City Council to seriously reconsider the decision to remove fluoride from their region’s water supply as there is evidence to support the health benefits of water fluoridation. More >>
Callaghan grant to boost Matakina’s breast cancer arsenal
Thursday, 13 June 2013, 12:46 pm | Volpara Density
Matakina Technology, developers of the world-leading volumetric breast density assessment software Volpara, today announced that Callaghan Innovation are co-funding the development of new and improved software tools to aid in the earlier detection of breast cancer ... More >>
Nationwide Boom In K2 Presentations to Emergency Departments
Thursday, 13 June 2013, 10:14 am | Waikato District Health Board
A considerable increase in recent visits to hospital emergency departments (EDs) nationwide by people experimenting with synthetic drug K2 is holding up the treatment of “worthy emergency cases,” says Waikato Hospital emergency department clinical ... More >>
Thank You New Zealand - It’s in our Blood
Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 5:16 pm | New Zealand Blood Service
The generosity of Kiwis has made it possible for New Zealand to be the only country in the world, that we are aware of, to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency status, as defined by the World Health Organisation. More >>
Guild congratulates Community Pharmacy of the Year winner
Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 3:14 pm | Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand
The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) congratulates David Postlewaight, owner of David’s Pharmacy in Kamo, for winning the Community Pharmacy of the Year Award at the 2013 Pharmacy Awards, held at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on Saturday 8 ... More >>
Grant Short wins Contributor of the Year
Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 3:13 pm | Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand
Grant Short, or „Prof as he is affectionately known, has won „Contributor of the Year at this years Pharmacy Awards. More >>
Concern about public safety in osteoporosis clinical trial
Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 12:20 pm | Women's Health Action
‘Women’s Health Action is concerned that an osteoporosis drug trial run by University of Auckland has exaggerated the risk of osteoporosis to attract women participants and downplayed the risks associated with the trial drug’ says Gill Sanson from ... More >>
Reduction in New Zealand’s perinatal-related death rate
Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 12:19 pm | Health Quality and Safety Commission
New Zealand’s perinatal-related death rate has shown a significant reduction for the first time since the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) began analysing perinatal mortality data in 2007. The annual report of the PMMRC ... More >>
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