Latest Health Headlines
3 New Cases Of COVID-19
Sunday, 5 July 2020, 1:24 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are three new cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation and quarantine facilities in New Zealand. There continue to be no new cases in the community. This means the number of active cases in New Zealand is 21, all of which are in managed ... More >>
Lack Of COVID-19 Lockdown Increased Deaths In Sweden, Analysis Concludes
Saturday, 4 July 2020, 5:10 pm | UVA Health
Sweden’s controversial decision not to lock down during COVID-19 produced more deaths and greater healthcare demand than seen in countries with earlier, more stringent interventions, a new analysis finds. But Sweden fared better than would be expected ... More >>
No New Cases Of COVID-19
Saturday, 4 July 2020, 1:02 pm | Ministry of Health
There are no new cases of COVID-19 to report in New Zealand today. The number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 18, all of which are in managed isolation or quarantine facilities. There are no cases of COVID-19 in the community. Our total ... More >>
Minister Officially Opens New Cancer Treatment Machine At Palmerston North Hospital
Friday, 3 July 2020, 4:18 pm | MidCentral District Health Board
Palmerston North Hospital’s Regional Cancer Treatment Service (RCTS) is home to a new linear accelerator (LINAC), which has replaced an older machine and significantly improved the capacity for treating cancer patients. The new cancer treatment machine ... More >>
No New Cases Of COVID-19
Friday, 3 July 2020, 1:07 pm | Ministry of Health
There are no new cases of COVID-19 to report in New Zealand today. The number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 18, all of which are in managed isolation or quarantine facilities. There are no cases of COVID-19 in the community. Our total ... More >>
Remember - Don’t Get Sucked In
Friday, 3 July 2020, 11:37 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (ARFNZ), along with their Scientific Advisory Board members want to see New Zealander’s quit smoking, however not to the detriment of youth. Media coverage this week has had a focus on the impact of vaping in schools, ... More >>
Quick-fire Lessons For New Minister
Friday, 3 July 2020, 7:15 am | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists welcomes Chris Hipkins to the role of Health Minister following the resignation of David Clark. “We look forward to working with Mr Hipkins and talking with him as he comes up to speed with the complexity ... More >>
Stepping Towards Success
Thursday, 2 July 2020, 2:59 pm | Northland District Health Board
Northland DHB is working towards increasing their capacity to provide staff training in an evidence-based programme designed to deliver coping strategies and support to whānau affected by a loved one’s substance use. The 5-Step Method was developed ... More >>
COVID-19 Update
Thursday, 2 July 2020, 1:08 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are two new cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation and quarantine facilities in New Zealand. There continue to be no new cases in the community. Six cases are now considered recovered, bringing the number of active cases in New Zealand ... More >>
No New Cases Of COVID-19
Wednesday, 1 July 2020, 1:14 pm | Ministry of Health
Again today there are no new cases of COVID-19 to report. This means the number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 22. All active cases have recently returned from overseas and are or were in managed isolation facilities. There have been no ... More >>
Personal Welfare Under Border Quarantine - Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 1 July 2020, 1:06 pm | Science Media Centre
As more New Zealanders continue to return from abroad, additional quarantine facilities are being set up to meet demand. A report, released on Sunday , says the rapidly expanding system is under “extreme stress” from the demand. New recommendations ... More >>
New Chair For College Of Surgeons New Zealand National Board
Wednesday, 1 July 2020, 12:45 pm | Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Philippa Mercer, a general surgeon based in Christchurch, takes up her role today (1 July) as the new Chair of the New Zealand National Board of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). The RACS New Zealand National Board represents New Zealand ... More >>
NZDA Congratulates Kiwi Winner Of International College Of Dentists Grant
Wednesday, 1 July 2020, 10:10 am | New Zealand Dental Association
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) congratulates New Zealand dentist Dr Haneen Alayan for being awarded the 2020 International College of Dentists (ICD) Young Dentists Volunteer grant. Haneen works as a dentist in Gore and teaches dental students at ... More >>
Water Fluoridation Saves Poorest Children From Hospitalisation
Wednesday, 1 July 2020, 9:17 am | University of Canterbury
Research from the University of Canterbury (UC) GeoHealth Laboratory shows that children in our most deprived areas benefit from better dental health if water is fluoridated. UC researcher Dr Matt Hobbs , of the GeoHealth Laboratory in UC’s ... More >>
Plain Packaging Will Accelerate Progress Towards Ending The Tobacco Epidemic
Wednesday, 1 July 2020, 7:32 am | Bobby Ramakant
Despite the indisputable scientific evidence that tobacco kills, the tobacco industry has been conniving to use every trick possible to protect and increase its profits. Over 8 million people die of tobacco use worldwide every year. More worrying is the ... More >>
Spectrum Care Committed To ‘Finding A Way Together’
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 5:27 pm | Spectrum Care
The Ministry of Health is looking forward to working alongside Spectrum Care, an established support provider for disabled people, to provide continuity of Laura Ferguson Trust respite services in Auckland and Hamilton. Spectrum Care has spent ... More >>
Youth Are Vaping So Why Are We Waiting?
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 3:07 pm | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (ARFNZ) supports the Cancer Society in their call for urgency to push the Government’s Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill through prior to the 2020 General Election. Letitia ... More >>
Funding Boost To Provide Instant Access To Information For People With Vision Loss
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 2:48 pm | Blind and Low Vision NZ
Blind Low Vision NZ has received funding from the Ministry of Social Development to purchase and roll-out 3500 Alexa smart-speakers. The announcement coincides with the launch of Blind Low Vision NZ’s Strategic Plan where one of the key priorities ... More >>
First Pacific Owned Research Group To Be Fully Funded By HRC Explores Mental Health Of Parents
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 1:41 pm | Health Research Council
The Health Research Council has awarded Dr Seini Taufa of Moana Research - an independent research organisation owned by six Pacific researchers - a ($600K) Pacific Project Grant to explore the response of the health system to the mental health needs of ... More >>
No New Cases Of COVID-19
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 1:00 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are no new cases of COVID-19 to report. This means the number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 22. All active cases have recently returned from overseas and are in managed isolation facilities. There have been no cases of ... More >>
‘High Alert’ website launched to help reduce drug harm
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 11:19 am | Ministry of Health
An early warning system has been launched today to help reduce drug harm in New Zealand communities. Available at www.highalert.org.nz the system helps identify where drug harm is occurring, provides evidence and understanding of outbreaks of ... More >>
Dementia Services Set To Fail Without Urgent Government Funding
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 9:55 am | Dementia Auckland
New Zealand’s already under-resourced dementia support organisations are in serious trouble of going under unless government can step in and make a significant commitment to adequately support people living with dementia. Lisa Burns, GM – Fundraising ... More >>
Healthy Homes For All Kiwis At Heart Of Major New Research Programme
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 8:07 am | Health Research Council Of New Zealand
The team whose highly influential research provided the evidence base for such major changes to New Zealand’s housing policy as the EECA Warmer Homes insulation scheme and new national Healthy Housing Standards for rental properties have received a ... More >>
Newly Funded Study Aims To Improve Outcomes For More Than One In 10 New Zealand Births
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 8:05 am | Health Research Council Of New Zealand
New Zealand researchers are about to undertake the largest-ever trial of corticosteroids in women having planned caesareans, to assess the treatment’s benefit and potential harm in newborns. Associate Professor Katie Groom from The University of Auckland’s ... More >>
Food Is Best Vaccine Against Chaos, Insists UN World Food Programme Head
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 7:22 am | UN News
Tens of millions more people are likely to go hungry this year because of the COVID-19 crisis, the UN World Food Programme ( WFP ) said on Monday, as it announced plans for a massive boost to its global aid operation so it can reach them. In an alert, ... More >>
Blood Test At COVID-19 Diagnosis Can Predict Disease Severity, Study Finds
Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 7:16 am | University of Virginia
Doctors can examine COVID-19 patients’ blood to identify those at greatest risk of severe illness and to pinpoint those most likely to need a ventilator, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests. The discovery could ... More >>
Parliamentary Petition: Time To Make The 300K Families Affected By Rare Disorders A Health Priority
Monday, 29 June 2020, 4:00 pm | Rare Disorders NZ
Sue Haldane, a mother of a child with a rare disorder, has spent 17 years dealing with barriers within our health system to ensure her daughter Lizzie’s needs are met. Now Sue is determined that the journey will be easier for future generations ... More >>
DHB Response To "red Flag" Symptoms
Monday, 29 June 2020, 2:01 pm | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill today released a report finding a DHB in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for failing to identify a woman’s "red flag" symptoms and ... More >>
COVID-19 Update
Monday, 29 June 2020, 1:35 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are two cases of COVID-19 to report and once again both are people who have recently returned from overseas and are in managed isolation facilities. They bring the number of active cases in New Zealand to 22. Both of today’s ... More >>
Challenge Aims To Position Christchurch As NZ’s Centre Of Health Innovation
Monday, 29 June 2020, 7:19 am | Ministry of Awesome
Ōtautahi Christchurch aims to become the home of health tech innovation in New Zealand with the HealthTech Supernode Challenge , opening Monday 29 June. With a total prize pool across multiple categories valued at over $340,000, there are plenty ... More >>
World Allergy Organization Launches World Allergy Week 2020 On COVID-19 And Allergic Diseases
Sunday, 28 June 2020, 6:59 pm | World Allergy Organization
Do not stop your regular allergy care during the COVID-19 pandemic Milwaukee, WI. June 28, 2020. World Allergy Organization (WAO), serving its membership of professional allergy/immunology societies around the world, dedicates World Allergy Week, from ... More >>
4 New Cases Of COVID-19
Sunday, 28 June 2020, 1:04 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are four new cases of COVID-19 at the border. There continue to be no cases in the community. All four cases involve people who have recently returned from overseas and were in managed isolation facilities. These cases bring the number ... More >>
Metropolitan Auckland DHBs Increase COVID-19 Testing Capacity; Additional CBACs Open
Saturday, 27 June 2020, 4:22 pm | Northern Region Health Coordination Centre
Community testing capacity in Auckland has been rapidly expanded in response to unprecedented demand earlier this week. An additional Community Testing Centre (CBAC) opened in New Lynn today (Saturday 27 June) and a second will open in Manurewa from ... More >>
2 New Cases Of COVID-19
Saturday, 27 June 2020, 1:01 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are two cases of COVID-19 to report and once again both cases are people who have recently returned from overseas and are in managed isolation facilities. These cases bring the number of active cases in New Zealand to 16, all in managed ... More >>
$10 Million-dollar Royston Day Surgery Development Breaks Ground
Friday, 26 June 2020, 3:01 pm | Acurity Health Group
The Royston Day Surgery development celebrated the commencement of ground works today with a blessing ceremony attended by Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst. This joint venture is a collaboration between Acurity Health Group and a number of Hawkes Bay’s leading ... More >>
1 New Case Of COVID-19
Friday, 26 June 2020, 1:25 pm | Ministry of Health
There is one new case of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation in New Zealand today, and no cases of community transmission. The case is a man is his 30s who arrived in New Zealand on June 21 from Kenya, via Doha and Brisbane. He has been staying ... More >>
New Guidelines Bring Fundamental Changes To Asthma Management
Friday, 26 June 2020, 6:37 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
The updated Adolescent and Adult Asthma Guidelines, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today, represent a "fundamental change in asthma management", according to leading medical experts. The Guidelines provide recommendations on the ... More >>
New Guidelines For Drowning Resuscitation In The COVID-19 Era
Thursday, 25 June 2020, 3:36 pm | Surf Life Saving New Zealand
The Covid pandemic has prompted first responder groups, including surf lifeguards, to reassess the risks of resuscitation to rescuers and patients. Ventilations, also known as rescue breaths, are critical for the resuscitation of drowned patients. ... More >>
3 New Cases Of COVID-19
Thursday, 25 June 2020, 2:04 pm | Ministry of Health
There are three new cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation facilities in New Zealand today, one in Rotorua and two in Christchurch. Once again, there is no community transmission in New Zealand. The first case we are reporting today is ... More >>
Report Signals Progress Of Government’s Response To The Inquiry Into Mental Health And Addiction
Thursday, 25 June 2020, 8:27 am | Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
The Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has released a report, Upholding the Wero Laid in He Ara Oranga , signalling progress of the Government’s response to He Ara Oranga , the inquiry into mental health and addiction. Chair of the Initial ... More >>
Be part of the world’s first treatment app for gambling
Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 2:21 pm | National Institute for Health Innovation
A new mobile app named Manaaki is described by Gayl Humphrey, the study lead from the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) at the University of Auckland, as “a support package in your pocket” for people seeking help with gambling harm. More >>
1 New Case Of COVID-19
Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 2:16 pm | Ministry of Health
There is one new case of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation in New Zealand today. The person who has tested positive is a woman in her 60s who arrived in New Zealand on June 18. She travelled back from India on a repatriation flight – the ... More >>
No Covid Testing On Arrival: A Major Flaw
Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 10:46 am | Make Lemonade
The Minister of Health Dr David Clark and microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles have defended the government’s decision not to covid screen for all passengers arriving into New Zealand. Pharmaceutical scientist Sir Ray Avery says this decision is just plain ... More >>
Health And Disability System Review: Māori Health Authority Proposal Rings Hollow
Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 10:24 am | RACP
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) welcomes the release of the Health and Disability System report, but says that the prioritisation of Hauora Māori is superficial, without a commitment to providing the funding, resourcing, and decision-making ... More >>
Women’s Unit Opens At Palmerston North Hospital
Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 10:06 am | MidCentral District Health Board
Women will now have their own dedicated space in Palmerston North Hospital for surgical recovery and assessments with the opening of the new Women’s Assessment and Surgical Unit (WASU). Opened with a blessing on Tuesday 2 June, the WASU is an eight-bed short-stay ... More >>
COVID-19 Has Exacerbated Historical Neglect Of Dignified Mental Health Care: UN Expert
Wednesday, 24 June 2020, 7:29 am | UN Special Procedures - Human Rights
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed decades of neglect and underinvestment in mental health care, an independent UN expert said today, calling for the ultimate elimination of closed psychiatric institutions where the impact has been more severe. “COVID-19 ... More >>
Two New Cases Of COVID-19 | 23 June
Tuesday, 23 June 2020, 6:28 pm | Ministry of Health
There are two new cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation facilities in New Zealand today. The first case is a man in his 20s who arrived in New Zealand on 18 June. This arrival date has been updated since earlier reports. He flew in ... More >>
COVID-19 Testing At The Border - Expert Reaction
Tuesday, 23 June 2020, 5:40 pm | Science Media Centre
The new testing strategy includes regular health checks and asymptomatic testing of all border-facing workers, as well as regularly testing people who are exempt from quarantine, such as New Zealand-based air crews. The SMC asked experts to comment ... More >>
No Confirmed Or Active Covid-19 Cases In Northland
Tuesday, 23 June 2020, 2:47 pm | Northland District Health Board
Northland DHB has seen an increase in demand for Covid-19 testing on the back of recent reports of confirmed cases at the border and government managed quarantine. “Currently there are NO active, confirmed or probable cases of Covid-19 in Northland, ... More >>
WHO Reports Largest Single Day Increase In COVID-19 Cases
Tuesday, 23 June 2020, 8:08 am | UN News
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases over the course of Sunday, registering more than 183,000 new infections in 24 hours, bringing the total to some 8.8 million cases worldwide, with more than ... More >>
Focused Ultrasound Shows Potential Against Deadliest Brain Tumor
Tuesday, 23 June 2020, 7:21 am | University of Virginia
An innovative use of focused ultrasound being pioneered at the University of Virginia School of Medicine is showing promise against glioblastoma, the deadliest brain tumor, and could prove useful against other difficult-to-treat cancers. The technique hits ... More >>
National Networks Call For ‘Disability’ Recommendations To Be Ignored By Government
Monday, 22 June 2020, 6:35 pm | Family Leadership Alliance
The Family Leadership Alliance contests that while the Health and Disability System Review may have good ideas for the “health” system, it is way off the mark with many of its comments related to the disability support system. At best, many of the ... More >>
Two New Cases Of COVID-19 | 22 June
Monday, 22 June 2020, 5:10 pm | Ministry of Health
There are two new cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation facilities in New Zealand today. The first case we are reporting today is a female teenager who arrived in New Zealand on June 13 and has been staying at the Novotel at Auckland ... More >>
Care Of A Deteriorating Patient At A Rest Home
Monday, 22 June 2020, 2:06 pm | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall today released a report finding the owner of a rest home in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for providing poor care to a man whose condition was ... More >>
Assessment Of A Girl Seen By Multiple General Practitioners
Monday, 22 June 2020, 2:04 pm | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill today released a report finding the Palms Medical Centre (The Palms) in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for its failures in relation to its care ... More >>
Call To Reduce Home-heating Emissions Due To Air Quality Concerns
Monday, 22 June 2020, 1:22 pm | Land Air Water Aotearoa
As temperatures drop, the team at LAWA are encouraging people to help keep the air in our towns and cities healthy by using clean home-heating methods. In New Zealand, burning wood or coal for home heating is the main source of harmful particulate matter ... More >>
Back Pain Patients On Fast Track To Better Health Thanks To Innovative Waikato Trial
Monday, 22 June 2020, 11:58 am | Active Plus
Active+, one of New Zealand’s largest multi-disciplinary rehab suppliers, is seeing promising results from a new back pain treatment pilot. Go Get Active , is a ground-breaking service for Kiwis struggling with low back pain not seeing results from the usual ... More >>
Expert Review Finds No Progress In Govt Action Against Obesity Epidemic
Monday, 22 June 2020, 9:55 am | University of Auckland
Unhealthy diets are responsible for about one fifth of all preventable ill-health and premature deaths but, according to a new report from a panel of more than 50 independent and government experts nationwide, the Government has made virtually ... More >>
2 New Cases Of COVID-19
Sunday, 21 June 2020, 4:22 pm | Ministry of Health
Today there are two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation facilities in New Zealand. . As with the five other cases reported in recent days, these two cases were recent arrivals from overseas and both were detected within ... More >>
Two New Cases Of COVID-19
Sunday, 21 June 2020, 6:25 am | Ministry of Health
Today there are two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation facilities in New Zealand. The people who have tested positive for COVID-19 are a couple who arrived in New Zealand from India on June 5. Both are in their 20s. They ... More >>
