Latest Health Headlines [Page 2]
More Nurses In Primary Care Will Be A Welcome Boost Says ProCare
Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 2:47 pm | ProCare Health
Increasing the number of skilled nurses will undoubtedly support primary care practices. However, it’s crucial to ensure they receive equitable remuneration compared to their hospital counterparts. Without this, we risk facing the same challenges we ... More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Algal Bloom In Waikirikiri-Selwyn River At Whitecliffs
Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 2:40 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Recent cyanobacteria surveys of the Waikirikiri-Selwyn River at Whitecliffs have shown the cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the river has reduced and is now below levels that are of concern to public health. More >>
Boost For Primary Care Nursing Workforce
Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 11:44 am | GPNZ
Speaking following Health Minister Simeon Brown’s announcement of the additional funding at his Porirua Union clinic Dr Betty said: "This initiative recognises the critical contribution of the nursing workforce and opens more opportunities for rewarding ... More >>
$285 Million GP Funding Boost A Good Start, But More Information Needed
Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 8:43 am | General Practitioners Aotearoa
“We are excited about this announcement, and are waiting with bated breath to find out if the funding will end up on the front line where it is desperately needed,” says GPA chair Dr Buzz Burrell. More >>
Primary Care Funding A Positive Step In The Right Direction, Says College Of GPs
Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 3:31 pm | Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
College President Dr Samantha Murton says, "Any additional funding for primary care will ultimately benefit our patients and improve health outcomes, and as specialist GPs and rural hospital doctors who work in the community, this is our priority. More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Algal Bloom In Hurunui River At SH1
Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 2:55 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says Environment Canterbury’s monitoring of Hurunui River will continue to the end of this recreational water season and then will resume next season when there ... More >>
Chief Ombudsman Releases Report Into Secure Aged Care Facilities
Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 2:07 pm | Office of the Ombudsman
Mr Boshier has today released a report on his inspections and visits to 148 secure residential aged care facilities across the country from 2021-2024. More >>
ProCare Welcomes Health Minister's Announcement Around Funding Uplift For Primary Care
Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 1:15 pm | ProCare Health
The costs of doing business have outstripped any increases in capitation, and a significant number of practices are struggling to meet the rising costs of supporting their patients, meeting population health needs and providing a service to their local communities. More >>
Primary And Community Care Will Remain In Crisis Until Nurses Receive Pay Parity
Monday, 3 March 2025, 8:53 pm | NZNO
NZNO College of Primary Health Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says the funding gives health care providers outside hospitals a temporary reprieve from the financially crippling co-payment system. More >>
General Practice Gives Cautious Thumbs Up To Primary Healthcare Boost
Monday, 3 March 2025, 6:43 pm | General Practice Owners Association
While general practice will welcome the focus on growing the numbers of GPs - which is essential to an accessible high-quality GP service - and we’re pleased to see investment in nursing, we are disappointed that the key issue of nurse pay parity ... More >>
“We Feel Heard” – Investment Is A Vital First Step Towards Improving Access To General Practice
Monday, 3 March 2025, 6:39 pm | GPNZ
“This investment will help ensure that patients receive the care they need when they need it, while also strengthening the sustainability of the workforce,” says Porirua-based Specialist General Practitioner and Chair of GPNZ, Dr Bryan Betty. More >>
Brain Injury NZ Launches The Brain Injury Awareness Ribbon
Monday, 3 March 2025, 5:58 pm | Brain Injury NZ
Brain Injury New Zealand want people to know that while brain injury can be life-altering, those affected are not alone in navigating recovery. There are Brain Injury Associations throughout the motu available to provide assistance. More >>
Interns Help PHO With Pasifika Immunisation Picture
Monday, 3 March 2025, 10:42 am | WellSouth
Author of the WellSouth Pacific Health Strategic Framework, WellSouth Clinical Advisor – Pasifika, Dr Letava Tafuna’i, says that students are typically hosted by a Pacific healthcare provider, however this year WellSouth requested to have students ... More >>
New Funding Of Treatment Will Help Many Of The Over 300 New Zealanders Diagnosed With Liver Cancer Each Year
Saturday, 1 March 2025, 9:39 pm | Roche
From 1 March 2025, TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) in combination with bevacizumab, will be funded for eligible patients within the public system for the first time. More >>
"Concussion Isn’t Just A Sports Injury—It Can Happen To Anyone, Anywhere"
Friday, 28 February 2025, 10:05 pm | Headway
35,000 New Zealanders Suffer Brain Injuries Every Year – But Thousands Aren’t Seeking Help More >>
Health Inequity Called Out As A ‘Scandal’
Friday, 28 February 2025, 6:46 pm | Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter
The forum was six hours including breaks, and received 205 views within 24 hours. More >>
Staffing Shortages Putting Patient Safety At Risk At Nelson Hospital
Friday, 28 February 2025, 3:45 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
An email sent to clinicians earlier today advised between 1600 and 2200 the hospital will have no medical registrar. Nelson’s emergency department is staffed to see 70 to 80 patients a day, but they regularly see more than 100 a day. More >>
Anaesthetist Receives $1.4m Grant To Improve Surgery Outcomes
Friday, 28 February 2025, 3:38 pm | ANZCA
Dr Daniel Frei, a cardiothoracic anaesthetist at Wellington Regional Hospital, secured the funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand for the Hospital Operating Theatre Randomised Oxygen clinical trial, or HOT-ROX. More >>
Hauora Taiwhenua Presents 10-Point Action Plan For Rural Māori Health
Friday, 28 February 2025, 3:25 pm | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
The completion and submission of this action plan mark a significant step forward in addressing the long-standing inequities in rural Māori healthcare. Hauora Taiwhenua looks forward to collaborating with the Ministry to implement these actions and ensure More >>
Healthline Diverts 83 Patients Daily from Te Manawa Taki (Midlands) Region Emergency Departments
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 6:35 pm | Telehealth Services
"These findings confirm what we've always believed -- that Healthline plays a crucial role in connecting New Zealanders with the right care at the right time," says Glynis Sandland, CEO of Whakarongorau Aotearoa. More >>
Cyanobacteria Health Warning Placed On Lake Hakanoa
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 4:14 pm | Health New Zealand
Lakes Rotokauri, Waikare, and Whangape continue to have cyanobacterial health warnings in place, with an ‘extreme risk’ health warning at Lake Nga Roto. More >>
McCrae Hospitals And Orion Health Expand Viet Nam Footprint Through Key Partnerships
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 10:57 am | Orion Health
McCrae Hospitals is a fully Kiwi owned spinoff from Orion Health, the global New Zealand health technology firm recently acquired by Healwell AI. More >>
Youth Vaping Declines Slightly But Still High By Global Standards
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 9:56 am | Public Health Communication Centre
In the latest Briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre, researchers from the University of Otago ASPIRE team analyse vaping trends, painting a mixed picture. More >>
Healthcare Providers Can Soon Monitor Patients From Home
Thursday, 27 February 2025, 9:09 am | Manage My Health
Launched by the Manage My Health platform, the technology integrates remote patient monitoring (RPM) with its well-established virtual consultations (VC) facility, offering a seamless solution for healthcare providers. More >>
5 Years On, COVID Remains NZ’s Most Important Infectious Disease – It Still Demands A Strong Response
Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 9:13 pm | The Conversation
Hospitalisations and deaths attributed to COVID have dropped significantly since a peak in 2022. But a new variant could still reverse the trend quickly. More >>
Why Health Promotion Matters At Events Like Te Matatini
Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 8:36 pm | RNZ
Hauora has been an important focus for Te Matatini with a zero tolerance for drinking, drugs, smoking, and vaping - but what else is being done at the event to encourage Māori to better look after themselves? More >>
Health Warning Lifted At Church Bay/Kaioruru
Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 4:02 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
The latest water testing result shows that faecal bacteria levels in Church Bay/Kaioruru are now below guideline values and the health warning issued on 20/02/2025 has been removed with the water at Church Bay/Kaioruru suitable for recreational use. More >>
Heart Attack And Stroke: Bobby's Recovery Thanks To The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 3:38 pm | Philips Search and Rescue Trust
As a proud supporter of Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Bobby never dreamed she’d need a helicopter rescue herself. It would’ve taken more than an hour to get her there by car, and with Bobby in critical danger, any delay would put her in worse danger. More >>
Pharmac Close To Finalising Proposal For More Than One Brand Of Oestradiol Patch
Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 2:34 pm | PHARMAC
Pharmac is in discussions with the suppliers of Estradot and Estradiol TDP Mylan patches and Dr Ngawati says these talks have been progressing well. The oestradiol patches currently in use will continue to be available as Pharmac works through this ... More >>
Mum Needing Essential Heart Scan Faced Life-threatening Delays
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 7:19 pm | Kia Manawanui Trust The Heart of Aotearoa NZ
Māhina Ngāpō is battling stage three breast cancer and needs an echocardiogram every three months to ensure she can undergo life-saving treatment. More >>
Child Cancer Foundation Calls For Support As High Numbers Of Referrals Roll In
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 5:07 pm | Child Cancer Foundation
Monica Briggs, Chief Executive of Child Cancer Foundation, says the high number of families needing support over summer highlights the urgent need for continued care and resources. More >>
Health Warning – Algal Bloom In The Ōpihi River At Saleyards Bridge
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 4:19 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
The warning follows finding moderate to high cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the Ōpihi River. People should avoid the area and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the health warning has been lifted. More >>
New Report Shows Existing Approach To Dental Care "Not Fit For Purpose"
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 12:01 pm | Dental for All
Another theme of the report is that people are making impossible choices because of the high cost of dental, and are forced to go into overdraft or face significant pain because of the failings of the current system. More >>
Youthline’s Overnight Helpline Sees Surge In Demand For High-Risk Support
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 8:46 am | Youthline
Youthline reports 40% of overnight conversations now involve risk situations, including suicide and abuse. This is a worrying 20% rise compared to the same period last year, highlighting a growing demand for urgent youth mental health and crisis support. More >>
Prime Minister Sends Clear Message: Don’t Bother Training As A GP
Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 8:36 am | General Practitioners Aotearoa
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s comments show his lack of understanding of how the primary care sector works.GP clinics are not a prescription disposal service, nor are they simply a stepping stone to hospital care. More >>
Demand On Who FCTC COP11 To Embrace Consumer Voices Intensifies
Monday, 24 February 2025, 3:47 pm | CAPHRA
Despite documented success in nations regulating safer nicotine products, such as vapes and heated tobacco, the WHO FCTC continues to marginalise consumer advocates and disregard real-world outcomes. More >>
Malaghan CAR T-cell Cancer Therapy Trial Expands To Christchurch And Auckland
Monday, 24 February 2025, 1:21 pm | Malaghan Institute
Clinical Director Dr Robert Weinkove says ‘site activation’ in Christchurch and Auckland marks a significant milestone for the clinical trial, and means more patients can be treated, closer to home. More >>
Researchers Tackle Tragic Lung Cancer Outcomes For Māori
Monday, 24 February 2025, 8:57 am | University of Auckland
Māori are hit hardest by lung cancer, an inequity in the sights of University of Auckland senior lecturer Dr Laird Cameron. More >>
A Cook Strait Swim For Ovarian Cancer
Friday, 21 February 2025, 2:34 pm | Nick Edwards
Nick Edwards wants this swim to raise awareness of an often underreported on, underresearched, and underfunded cancer. More >>
The Two Minute Challenge That Could Save Your Sight
Thursday, 20 February 2025, 7:55 pm | Glaucoma New Zealand
This March, Glaucoma New Zealand (GNZ), are asking Kiwis to invest two minutes of their time to understand a little more about glaucoma by taking their free, easy, two-minute challenge. More >>
Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality At Church Bay/Kaioruru
Thursday, 20 February 2025, 6:02 pm | Health New Zealand
“Water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens,” says Dr Annabel Begg, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health ... More >>
Gaps In Access To Medical Oxygen Causing Widespread Suffering And Death
Thursday, 20 February 2025, 3:42 pm | University of Auckland
A key finding shows global access to medical oxygen is highly inequitable. Five billion people, mostly from low and middle-income countries don’t have access to safe, quality, affordable medical oxygen. More >>
New Guide Launched To Help Navigate Medicinal Cannabis And Workplace Safety
Thursday, 20 February 2025, 8:08 am | NZ Drug Foundation
Sarah Helm, Executive Director of NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, says the guide was developed in response to regular requests for advice from employers and employees. More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Algal Bloom In Ashley River/Rakahuri At SH1 & Waikirikiri /Selwyn River At Glentunnel
Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 5:00 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Environment Canterbury’s monitoring of Ashley River/Rakahuri at SH1 and Waikirikiri /Selwyn River at Glentunnel will continue to the end of this summer and then will resume next summer when there is increased likelihood of cyanobacteria growth. More >>
SPOTS Gay Sex Survey Is Back To Help End HIV Transmission In Aotearoa
Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 4:51 pm | Burnett Foundation Aotearoa
Burnett Foundation Aotearoa Interim General Manager Alex Anderson says that this data is critical to eliminating HIV transmission in Aotearoa by 2030. More >>
Decades-old Nutrition Data Leave NZ In The Dark
Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 4:20 pm | Public Health Communication Centre
Briefing co-author Prof Cliona Ni Mhurchu from the University of Auckland warns that without current data, policymakers, researchers, and the food industry are making critical decisions in the dark. More >>
The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter Completes 534 Life-saving Missions In 2024
Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 1:21 pm | Greenlea Rescue Helicopter
The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was involved in 19 rescue missions last year. More >>
Is Private Healthcare The Answer To Public Funding Woes, Or Making It Worse?
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 9:45 pm | RNZ
The burgeoning private healthcare industry claims its current building boom will "take pressure off the public system". More >>
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Report Highlights Need For More CPR Training
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 8:19 pm | Hato Hone St John
The OHCA report shows that 24 percent of people who suffered a cardiac arrest survived to hospital arrival, while only 11 percent survived 30 days post-event. More >>
Consumer NZ Survey Reveals New Zealanders Face Rising Healthcare Concerns Amid Ongoing Financial Uncertainty
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 9:26 am | Consumer NZ
Healthcare concerns have risen across all age groups, but older New Zealanders remain most vocal, with 65% of those aged 70 years and over identifying healthcare as a top issue, up from 46% in October 2024 and 41% a year ago. More >>
Auckland Clinical Trial Aims To Make Cancer Drug Safer
Tuesday, 18 February 2025, 8:55 am | University of Auckland
Patients are being recruited for a clinical trial that has a long-term goal of uncovering the reasons the chemotherapy drug, 5-fluorouracil (5FU), causes serious side effects in some patients. More >>
HDC Finds Man With Disabilities Failed By Support Services After Being Assaulted By Flatmate
Monday, 17 February 2025, 9:48 pm | RNZ
The man's mother, who is his welfare guardian, made two complaints to the HDC about care he had received. More >>
Stark Contrast In Smoking Reduction Highlights Implications For Asia Pacific
Monday, 17 February 2025, 2:51 pm | CAPHRA
CAPHRA calls on governments in the region to consider adopting risk-proportionate regulations that facilitate adult access to safer nicotine alternatives while implementing measures to prevent youth uptake. More >>
New Waikato Regional Renal Centre Officially Opens
Monday, 17 February 2025, 11:03 am | Health New Zealand
The new centre has been built to modern standards – achieving a Greenstar 5 rating and is fitted out with the latest clinical technology and equipment. Te Pureoranga – Waikato Regional Renal Centre opened for patients on Monday 6 January 2025. More >>
New Zealand Launches Citizen Referendum To Reassess WHO Membership
Sunday, 16 February 2025, 7:05 pm | WHO KNOWS
This initiative aims to give every Kiwi the opportunity to have their voice heard on a critical issue that impacts the country’s sovereignty, transparency, and health policies. More >>
Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency thanks outgoing Director-General of Health Dr. Diana Sarfati
Friday, 14 February 2025, 12:58 pm | Cancer Control Agency
As a public health physician and researcher, Dr. Sarfati produced groundbreaking research on how cancer disproportionately affects Māori communities. Her pioneering work informed critical policy decisions and played a central role in establishing ... More >>
Director-General Of Health Dr Diana Sarfati Stepping Down
Friday, 14 February 2025, 12:56 pm | Ministry of Health
‘The challenge of restructuring and unifying an entire health system is not to be underestimated. I want to acknowledge the incredible people who I have worked with across the sector who give their all every day,' says Dr Diana Sarfati. More >>
The Meningitis Foundation Urges University Students To Get Vaccinated This O-Week
Friday, 14 February 2025, 11:15 am | Meningitis Foundation
Although this is a decrease on last year’s cases, The Meningitis Foundation board chairman Gerard Rushton said 15-24 yo remain a high risk group who need protection against this disease through vaccination, & many aren’t aware there are funded ... More >>
New Study Exposes Failure Of Australia’s Vaping Regulations
Friday, 14 February 2025, 8:20 am | CAPHRA
The research, titled "Do the differing vaping and smoking trends in Australia and New Zealand reflect different regulatory policies?" reveals a stark contrast in smoking reduction rates between the two nations. More >>
The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter Completes 568 Life-Saving Missions In 2024, 10% Increase On 2023 Missions
Thursday, 13 February 2025, 7:15 pm | Philips Search and Rescue Trust
Among the months, October was the busiest with the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter crew completing 64 life-saving missions, which is approximately two life-saving missions per day. More >>