Latest Health Headlines
BreastScreen Central Undertakes Review Into Late Mammography Appointments
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 5:04 pm | Capital and Coast District Health Board
Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs have become aware that a number of people have waited longer than the usual 60 working days from enrolment in the Breast Screen Central (BSC) service to being offered a mammogram appointment. BSC delivers ... More >>
Bowel Screening Age For Māori And Pasifika Lowered
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 1:46 pm | Bowel Cancer New Zealand
Bowel Cancer New Zealand welcomes the news from the budget that the bowel screening age for Māori and Pasifika people will be lowered from 60 to 50 years old starting in 2023. The government initiative will be launched in selected regions this year ... More >>
New Australian Government Must End Anti-Vaping Hysteria
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 11:40 am | CAPHRA
“We are hopeful the nearly decade long Liberal-led Government’s open warfare on safer nicotine products will end under Australia’s new Labor-led Government,” says Nancy Loucas, Executive Co-ordinator of CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco ... More >>
Funding Boost Helps Bioengineers Predict Effects Of Traumatic Brain Injury
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 11:31 am | Auckland Bioengineering Institute
Researchers at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) have received $150,000 from the Health Research Council for a project in which they aim to transform our ability to understand, predict and ultimately ... More >>
Budget Misses Key Players In Community-Based Healthcare
Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 11:21 am | Stroke Foundation
The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand says that Budget 2022 offers very little support to the hundreds of health-related NGOs struggling to provide services to people “falling through the cracks” within the New Zealand Health System. The funding of $102 million ... More >>
Incorrect Extraction Of Tooth Neglects The Most Basic Requirements Of A Competent Dentist
Monday, 23 May 2022, 2:04 pm | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Dr Vanessa Caldwell today released a report finding a dentist in breach of several rights in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for removing the wrong tooth for a patient ... More >>
Health And Disability Commissioner - We Must Do Better On Informed Consent
Monday, 23 May 2022, 10:51 am | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
The Health and Disability Commissioner is deeply concerned about the findings of a study of medical students’ experiences of informed consent in patients’ treatment. The study, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, showed serious lapses in ... More >>
Online Asthma Classroom Launched In Te Reo
Monday, 23 May 2022, 9:46 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (ARFNZ) is today launching its successful online Sailor Digital Classroom for primary schools in te reo Māori. Heremana te Kōpūtōtara Mātauranga Huangō was funded by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the ... More >>
Support Workers All Over NZ Prepare To Rally On Monday
Monday, 23 May 2022, 6:57 am | E Tu
E tū/NZNO/PSA Joint Media Advisory Care and support workers, their employers, and the clients and residents they care for are rallying together for the first time to secure an urgent pay increase for workers in the sector before legislation that ... More >>
Europe: WHO Supporting Countries Affected By Rare Monkeypox Outbreak
Saturday, 21 May 2022, 5:21 pm | UN News
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with countries where cases of the rare viral disease monkeypox have been reported, the UN agency said on Friday. The UN agency said in a statement that there were around 80 cases confirmed so far, ... More >>
DHBs: “Nice Little Earners” For EY
Saturday, 21 May 2022, 5:20 pm | Ian Powell
On 5 May Newsroom published a revealing article by investigative journalist David Williams on the rapid increase of income earned by EY business consultants (formerly known as Ernst & Young) from Aotearoa New Zealand’s district health boards: ... More >>
When Will Our Government Match Our People’s Generosity?
Friday, 20 May 2022, 11:53 am | Oxfam New Zealand
2022 Budget Reaction: Big Hearts Connected World "We are disappointed that, once again, this government has not increased its contribution to global efforts to halt the fall of families across the world into extreme poverty,” says Big Hearts ... More >>
Budget 2022 Medicines Investment: A Start, But Also A Potential Rapid And Painful Stop?
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:47 pm | Medicines New Zealand
Announcement in the budget of $191 million of new investment for medicines over the next two years is a start, but the fact that there is no confirmed additional investment beyond those two years is both a risk and concern, especially when compared ... More >>
Federation Of Primary Health Says Today’s Budget “Shows Commitment From Government”
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:33 pm | Federation of Primary Health
A strong step forward in addressing health inequities for Māori is one of the key positives in today’s budget according to the Chair of New Zealand’s peak body for Primary Care, Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa NZ (FPHANZ) . Steve Chadwick ... More >>
Digital Health Association Welcomes Further Investment In Digital Health - 19 May 2022
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:28 pm | Digital Health Association
The Digital Health Association welcomes the continuing focus on investment in health system data and digital infrastructure and capacity set out in today’s budget. Chief executive Ryl Jensen says the Association is excited to see an investment of ... More >>
Budget Boost Needs To Find Its Way To Primary Care Providers
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:22 pm | General Practice NZ
General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ) hopes today’s record and much-needed investment in Aotearoa’s health system will be the start of rebalancing future spending towards primary and community care. GPNZ Chair and Karori GP, Dr Jeff Lowe said: ‘Today’s ... More >>
Lung Foundation NZ’s Response To Budget 2022
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:15 pm | Lung Foundation New Zealand
Lung Foundation New Zealand Tuapapa Pukahukahu Aotearoa understands there are many pressures on government (Pharmac too), especially in 2022. We acknowledge and support the philosophy the government has employed with its response to covid and reducing ... More >>
Professional Body Welcomes Funding For Transgender And Intersex Health
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:06 pm | PATHA
The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) welcomes today’s Budget announcement of $2.1M over 4 years to improve transgender and non-binary people’s access to primary health care services. “In November 2020, PATHA’s Briefing to ... More >>
ACEM Welcomes $11.1B For Health In NZ Budget, Urges Fixes For Health Workforce Crisis
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 7:02 pm | ACEM
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM; the College) strongly welcomes the focus on health in the 2022 Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) budget and believes that elements of the $11.1 billion investment could help reduce pressure on struggling ... More >>
ProCare Welcomes The Budget Announcement For Healthcare Reforms
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 6:56 pm | ProCare Health
Leading healthcare provider ProCare has today welcomed the announcement of $5.854m in the next financial year for the establishment of Comprehensive Primary Care Teams. Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “It is great news to see funding ... More >>
ProCare Welcomes Big Boost In PHARMAC Budget, However Is It Enough?
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 6:54 pm | ProCare Health
Leading healthcare provider ProCare has today welcomed the big boost to PHARMAC funding, being the biggest in history, however questions whether it is enough, given inflation is sitting at 6.9%. Bindi Norwell, Group Chief Executive at ProCare says: ... More >>
Drug Foundation On Budget ‘22: Good, Not Transformative
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 6:53 pm | NZ Drug Foundation
The New Zealand Drug Foundation welcomes the Government using Budget 2022 to increase funding for addiction services and tackle inequalities and health issues that can worsen drug harm. However, the Foundation says the Budget does not herald a transformative ... More >>
Stronger Local Voice At The Heart Of Improved Health Services – LGNZ
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 6:48 pm | Local Government NZ
LGNZ is pleased to see that Budget 2022 investing in services that deliver better health outcomes for those living in rural New Zealand, says LGNZ President Stuart Crosby. “For so long the “postcode lottery” has plagued our communities living ... More >>
ProCare Welcomes The Reduction In Age Of Bowel Screening For Māori And Pacific Patients; Long Overdue
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 4:57 pm | ProCare Health
Leading healthcare provider ProCare has today welcomed the reduction in the age of bowel screening for Māori and Pacific patients from 60 to 50 with an additional $10.096 million in the next financial year. Dr Allan Moffitt, Clinical Director at ... More >>
Multiple Funding Proposals Being Considered By Pharmac
Thursday, 19 May 2022, 4:47 pm | PHARMAC
Pharmac has issued three consultations today on proposals to fund medicines for conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, hormone replacement and HIV. The treatments being considered are estimated to benefit thousands of New Zealanders ... More >>
ARFNZ Welcomes Research Findings Into New 2 In 1 Asthma Inhaler Combination
Wednesday, 18 May 2022, 1:33 pm | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ (ARFNZ) is welcoming the release of world-leading research showing that a new combination 2 in 1 inhaler, significantly reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks. The recently published study is the latest finding ... More >>
World-First Results In Continued Exploration Of Combination 2 In 1 ‘Rescue’ Inhaler
Wednesday, 18 May 2022, 10:33 am | Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
A fixed-dose 2 in 1 combination of salbutamol and budesonide, used as an as-needed rescue medicine, has been shown for the first time to significantly reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks. In the MANDALA trial, patients using the investigational ... More >>
Commonwealth Health Ministers Unite On Post-COVID-19 Health Agenda
Wednesday, 18 May 2022, 10:21 am | The Commonwealth
The 34th edition of the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting (CHMM) opened today with a call from ministers for governments to build sustainable and resilient health systems that can withstand future crises and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) ... More >>
New Cancer Society Campaign Sheds Light On Link Between Cancer And Alcohol
Tuesday, 17 May 2022, 12:10 pm | Cancer Society
Wellington, 17 May 2022 - Today, the Cancer Society of New Zealand launches a new campaign to highlight the link between alcohol and cancer risk. Cancer Society Medical Director Dr George Laking: “Many people are aware that tobacco causes lung cancer. ... More >>
Capital Project Update At Palmerston North Hospital
Tuesday, 17 May 2022, 11:20 am | MidCentral District Health Board
MidCentral District Health Board currently has a number of significant short and long-term capital projects, either in planning or under way, to improve and expand facilities to meet current and future demand. At the front of the hospital construction ... More >>
Access To Ophthalmology Service Did Not Meet Accepted Standard Of Care
Monday, 16 May 2022, 2:06 pm | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Dr Vanessa Caldwell today released a report finding a district health board (DHB) in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for failing to provide services with reasonable ... More >>
World IBD Day 2022
Monday, 16 May 2022, 1:57 pm | Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand
There are over 5 million people worldwide who are challenged daily by the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease or “IBD”). 20,000 of them live in our small country, which has the third highest ... More >>
Be Prepared For Flu Season 2022
Monday, 16 May 2022, 1:38 pm | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is advising the 700,000 New Zealanders with respiratory conditions to be well prepared for a potentially tough winter ahead. "With ongoing Covid-19 infections, new strains of winter flu entering the country ... More >>
New Lifestyle & Cooking Programme Significantly Helps Participants’ Health & Wellbeing
Monday, 16 May 2022, 10:56 am | Pegasus Health
All participants in a pilot of Pegasus Health’s new lifestyle and cooking programme in the Pacific community lost body fat – with the majority also improving on key health and wellbeing measures such as lower cholesterol and more social connection. ... More >>
Managing Long COVID In Aotearoa
Monday, 16 May 2022, 10:56 am | Physiotherapy New Zealand
Research shows that as many as one in eight COVID-19 patients could get Long COVID, which means there are likely hundreds of New Zealanders still experiencing symptoms 12 weeks after testing positive. New Zealand physiotherapists have been working closely More >>
Heart Foundation Launches New Big Heart Charity Lottery Today
Monday, 16 May 2022, 10:42 am | National Heart Foundation
A new online lottery is launched by the Heart Foundation today. The Big Heart Charity Lottery has a total prize pool of $500,000 cash, with proceeds going towards life-saving heart research. “We’re really excited to bring this new online lottery to New ... More >>
Research Into Lead Levels In Meat From Hunters
Monday, 16 May 2022, 9:50 am | Te Pukenga
You can’t smell it, taste it, or see it, but we’ve known for some time that eating or inhaling lead leads to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is preventable, and the risk of exposure has been reduced by replacing old pipes, removing lead in petrol ... More >>
Jobs And Strong Safety Net Key To Maintaining Mental Health As Pandemic Continues: Psychiatrists
Monday, 16 May 2022, 9:41 am | Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists
16 May 2022 – Psychiatrists are warning against complacency in thinking the pandemic and its mental health impacts are over, and say employment, a strong social safety net and targeted financial assistance are as important as clinical services in keeping ... More >>
Young Canterbury Artists Seek Support To Brighten Up Child And Youth Mental Health Unit
Monday, 16 May 2022, 6:29 am | Maia Health Foundation
New Zealanders are being asked to choose one of three talented young artists to add colour and vibrancy to Ōtautahi’s child and youth mental health outpatient unit. The public vote for the Together Greater Mural Project opens online today (Monday ... More >>
“Every Moment Is Quite Precious”: Sharing Life Stories For Hospice Awareness Week
Monday, 16 May 2022, 6:27 am | Hospice NZ
Hospice New Zealand is launching a campaign today to help raise awareness about the value of hospice care. The campaign Share our Life Stories portrays hospice staff; a music therapist, clinical psychologist, biographer and volunteer; sharing their ... More >>
The NZOHA Supports Industrial Action By The Public Sector Oral Health Therapists And Dental Therapists
Monday, 16 May 2022, 6:12 am | NZ Oral Health Association
Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa – The New Zealand Oral Health Association (NZOHA) is supporting our members in the Community Oral Health Service (COHS) by taking industrial action by members of the Public Service Association calling for better working conditions, ... More >>
DHBs Prepared For Allied Health Workers’ Strike
Sunday, 15 May 2022, 5:29 pm | All District Health Boards
District Health Boards will aim to restart pay talks with the PSA next week, but for now their focus is the strike by 10,000 allied health workers that will see a range of hospital, community and outpatient services postponed during the 24-hour ... More >>
Strike Action - Public Service Association For Staff Who Are Covered By The Allied, Public Health & Technical MECA
Sunday, 15 May 2022, 5:26 pm | MidCentral District Health Board
MidCentral District Health Board has received notice of industrial action involving staff from Allied, Public Health and Technical workforces covered by the Public Service Association. Staff involved will withdraw services for 24 hours from Sunday 15 May ... More >>
What Do You Know About ME? World ME Day Asks You To Learn More
Friday, 13 May 2022, 6:36 pm | Learn from ME
Post-infectious diseases like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Long COVID are more common and much more serious than most people realise. These illnesses can devastate the lives of those affected and their whānau, and there is no effective treatment ... More >>
Will You #LearnFromME This May 12?
Friday, 13 May 2022, 6:35 pm | ANZMES
May 12 is World ME Day. This year, the Learn From ME global campaign acknowledges that people with ME/CFS are experts of their own illness experience. They have a lot to offer those experiencing Long COVID through insights, treatment plans that ... More >>
COVID-19 In Canterbury – Case Numbers Continue To Top More Than 1000 A Day
Friday, 13 May 2022, 4:22 pm | Canterbury District Health Board
Cantabrians are asked to remain vigilant and continue to keep up their healthy habits as new COVID-19 cases in the region continue to top more than 1000 per day. Canterbury Health System Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) Incident Controller, Jo Domigan, ... More >>
Huge Celebrations As Charity Hospital Raffle Drawn
Friday, 13 May 2022, 6:19 am | Southland Charity Hospital
Celebrations are underway as the Southland Charity Hospital’s latest fundraiser comes to an end. At 7.30am today one lucky ticketholder will find out they have won a new Ford Mustang 5.0 GT Fastback. It is expected the prize draw and associated ... More >>
Green List Infuriates Physiotherapists
Friday, 13 May 2022, 6:17 am | Physiotherapy New Zealand
Physiotherapy New Zealand is incredulous that physiotherapists have been left off the government’s Green List which aims to make it easier for employers to hire and attract overseas professionals. Chief Executive Officer Sandra Kirby says there ... More >>
Strong Momentum Across Local Government For Alcohol Law Change
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 6:36 pm | Alcohol Healthwatch
Whanganui and Hamilton City Councils vote to support MP Chle Swarbrick’s Private Members’ Bill The Bill seeks to empower community voices to address local alcohol availability and reduce the harm from alcohol sponsorship of sport Whanganui District ... More >>
NZIMLS 'Workforce Crisis' Document Delivery To Minister Of Health Plus Associates
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 6:27 pm | NZIMLS
The New Zealand institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS) has advised the Minister of Health that our intention is to hand deliver to parliament steps, Beehive on Thursday 12th May at 1.15pm a full and comprehensive review of the very real crisis ... More >>
Game Changing Wellington Flu Study Welcomes 500th Baby
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 4:47 pm | ESR
ESR's Mich elle Christensen with daughter Scarlett. ESR’s WellKiwis Infant study has now recruited its 500th baby, who is set to play a key role in helping ESR experts understand how more effective vaccines could be developed by harnessing ... More >>
Health information videos in NZ Sign Language released
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 9:51 am | Health Navigator NZ
A translation of this press release in NZ Sign Language is available here. GPs and other health professionals now have a series of health information videos in New Zealand Sign Language to assist in their consultations with Deaf and hard of hearing ... More >>
Cess@tion Study Offers Chance To Trial A Natural Stop-smoking Aid
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 6:29 am | National Institute for Health Innovation
Smokefree May is the perfect time to kick the habit and the National Institute for Health Innovation (NIHI) invites any smoker who wants to make a healthy change to sign up for a study that will test cytisine, a natural product which has been shown ... More >>
Southern Cross Celebrates Superstar Team On International Nurses’ Day
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 5:35 am | Southern Cross Healthcare
This International Nurses’ Day, Southern Cross Healthcare (Southern Cross) acknowledges the incredible contribution its nursing team makes throughout Aotearoa. Carey Campbell, Director of Nursing Southern Cross said: “Every Southern Cross nurse steps up to ... More >>
Is Being Hooked On Sugar A Lifestyle Choice Or An Addiction?
Thursday, 12 May 2022, 5:32 am | Health Research Council Of New Zealand
It can be incredibly hard to resist the lure of lollies, cupcakes and other sweet treats, especially for those of us with a sweet tooth. But what if this craving for sugary foods wasn’t a lifestyle choice but a sign of a sugar addiction? University ... More >>
It May Be Time To Take A Serious Look At Your Mental Health
Wednesday, 11 May 2022, 8:14 pm | Psychology Care
Our modern world is not conducive to either mental or physical health. Even in Australia, which reports a higher quality of life and better work-life balance than many other countries around the world, the toll of modern living is clearly evident. Technological ... More >>
Adding A Sulforaphane Supplement To Your Diet Can Boost Wellness
Wednesday, 11 May 2022, 8:11 pm | Kiwi Superfoods
Including supplements like a multivitamin or Omega3 into your diet is a great way to ensure optimal health and wellness. That’s not to say that supplements can be used in place of healthy eating and exercise, but rather that they can be used to ... More >>
Doctor Calls On Minister Little To Release ‘Buried’ Independent Report On Pharmac
Wednesday, 11 May 2022, 6:51 pm | Myeloma NZ
The final report of the Independent Pharmac Review Panel has been sitting with Health Minister Andrew Little since February, with no reason offered for why it has not been released, says Myeloma NZ Chief Executive Dr Ken Romeril. “Given the damning ... More >>
Variety Launches Winter Appeal To Fund Beds For Kiwi Kids
Wednesday, 11 May 2022, 10:30 am | Variety - The Children's Charity
Variety – the Children’s Charity launches its Warm Hearts Winter Appeal to provide 1100 children with beds amidst concerns that this winter maybe the worst yet for New Zealand children living in poverty. With Covid in the community and New Zealand’s ... More >>
Hawke’s Bay DHB’s Chief Nurse 'Can’t Imagine Doing Anything Else'
Tuesday, 10 May 2022, 4:25 pm | Hawke's Bay District Health Board
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s chief nurse says this International Nurses Day (12 May) is an opportunity to acknowledge our nurses for stepping up over the past two years. Karyn Bousfield-Black, Chief Nursing Officer at the DHB, says nurses ... More >>
