Health News & Articles
Childhood Immunisation Rates Continue to Soar, Reflecting Government Commitment to Kiwi Health
6 hours ago | 38 viewsChildhood immunisation rates in New Zealand have increased to 79.3% at 24 months, reflecting the government's commitment to improving health outcomes for children. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes the importance of protecting children from preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. Progress has been seen nationwide, with districts such as Auckland and South Canterbury showing significant improvements in immunisation coverage.
Tags: childhood immunisation health minister Simeon Brown measles whooping cough vaccination GPs Government Kiwi children health outcomesNew Dialysis Unit in Blenheim to Provide Life-Changing Support for Local Patients & Families
2 days ago | 96 viewsA new dialysis unit is set to open in Blenheim, providing crucial support for local patients and their families, reducing the need for extensive travel to Nelson Hospital. The initiative aims to ease the burden on patients, support self-dialysis capabilities, and address the growing need for kidney care in the region. The project is a collaborative effort involving various healthcare providers, local charities, and community organizations, showcasing a commitment to responsive and locally led healthcare services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Marlborough Health Minister Nelson Hospital dialysis unit healthcare local communities patients families Marlborough Primary HealthNew Zealand's Mental Health Workforce Growth: Ensuring Support When It's Needed
4 days ago | 160 viewsWhen someone is making the brave step of reaching out for help whether it’s you, your child, a friend or family member, this Government is committed to ensuring we have the right support in place to answer that call, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says. “It is promising to see reports showing New Zealand’s mental health and addiction workforce is growing. This will help us ensure that people are getting the support they need, when they need it and no one’s call is going unanswered,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Health Workforce Health NZ Psychiatry Health New Zealand Te PouPharmac Improves Access to Asthma Inhalers and Contraceptives | Minister Seymour's Welcome
5 days ago | 169 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August 2025. “For the first time, Pharmac has its own Minister. Last year I outlined in my letter of expectations that Pharmac should have appropriate processes for ensuring that people, along with their carers and family, can participate in and provide input into decision-making processes around medicines – this is committed to in the Act-National Coalition Agreement,” Mr Seymour says.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac asthma inhalers contraceptives budesonide eformoterol Mirena Jaydess Kiwis New ZealandersRural Health Roadshow: Minister Doocey Engages with Communities to Enhance Healthcare Services
6 days ago | 122 viewsAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey is in Gore today for the rural health roadshow happening across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Matt Doocey Associate Health Minister Rural Health Minister for Mental Health Gore Roadshow Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care FieldaysGovernment Announces Health New Zealand Board Reestablishment for Improved Healthcare Delivery
1 week ago | 152 viewsThe Government is today announcing the reestablishment of the Health New Zealand Board, with new appointments to drive its priority of ensuring timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The re-established Health New Zealand Board will take over from the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners appointed last year to stabilise the organisation and set a clear direction. “Under Professor Lester Levy’s leadership as Commissioner, Health New Zealand has delivered a strong financial plan, and a clear Health Delivery Plan is now in place.
Tags: Government Health New Zealand Board Simeon Brown Professor Lester Levy Andrew Connolly Hamiora Bowkett Dr Margaret Wilsher Mark Binns James Christmas Sarah SinclairRural Health Roadshow: Minister Doocey Visits Hanmer Springs
1 week ago | 86 viewsAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Hanmer Springs today as part of the rural health roadshow across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Matt Doocey Rural Health Mental Health Roadshow Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care Fieldays Wellbeing Fund New ZealandersPalmerston North Regional Hospital to Double Scanning Capacity with $12.7M Modular CT Unit Investment
1 week ago | 351 viewsA $12. 7 million investment in a new modular CT unit at Palmerston North Regional Hospital will double scanning capacity and significantly improve access to diagnostic services across the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This is a major step forward for Palmerston North and the surrounding communities.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Palmerston North Regional Hospital CT unit scanning capacity diagnostic services cancer CT scanners health outcomes modular facilityGovernment Launches Southern Engagement Group for New Dunedin Hospital Project
1 week ago | 300 viewsThe Government is focused on the delivery of Dunedin’s new inpatient building, with the establishment of a local engagement group to support the next phase of the New Dunedin Hospital project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Work is back underway on the inpatient building at the former Cadbury site, marking a critical phase for this major health investment. I’m pleased to announce, alongside Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich, the formation of the Southern Engagement Group, which will help ensure the local community is kept well informed as this vital project progresses,” Mr Brown says.
Tags: Government Dunedin inpatient building local engagement group New Dunedin Hospital project Health Minister Simeon Brown Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich Southern Engagement Group Health New Zealand leaders community.Major Milestone: Construction Progress on Dunedin's Innovative New Inpatient Building Accelerates
1 week ago | 353 viewsWork is back underway on Dunedin’s new inpatient building, marking a major step forward in the Government’s commitment to delivering this critical health project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “It’s great to be back in Dunedin to see physical works now underway again on the former Cadbury site. This visible progress clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering this vital project.
Tags: Dunedin inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown construction phase pile caps concrete reinforcing steel substructure base isolators IL4 foundationsRural Health Roadshow: Minister Matt Doocey Visits Ōamaru to Improve Healthcare Services
1 week ago | 272 viewsAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Ōamaru today as part of the rural health roadshow across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Matt Doocey Rural Health Mental Health Health Minister Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care Fieldays New Zealanders Rural Wellbeing FundNew Zealand Government Boosts Elective Procedures, Cutting Wait Times for Life-Changing Surgeries
1 week ago | 300 viewsThousands more New Zealanders will get the procedures they need faster, with the Government today announcing 21,000 more elective procedures over the next year through its Elective Boost programme, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “With over 215,000 procedures set to go ahead over the next year – over 21,000 more than previously planned – wait times will reduce, helping more Kiwis access life-changing operations like hip and knee replacements and cataract surgeries sooner. “Our Government is focused on real delivery.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister New Zealanders Elective Boost programme proceduresPharmac's Comprehensive List of Medical Devices for Public Hospitals- Enhancing Management and Transparency in Healthcare
1 week ago | 262 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced that Pharmac have created their comprehensive list of medical devices which are used in public hospitals, to improve the way they manage medical devices. “Almost everyone diagnosed or treated at a public hospital relies on medical devices for their care. These can range from bandages and cotton swabs to pacemakers, hip replacements, hospital beds, and robotic surgery machines,” Mr Seymour says.
Tags: David seymour Government Hospital medical devices New zealand Pharmac SeymourRural Health Roadshow in Wānaka: Ministers Doocey and Patterson Engage with Community for Better Healthcare Access
1 week ago | 379 viewsAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson will be coming to Wānaka today as part of the rural health roadshow happening across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.
Tags: Mark patterson Matt doocey Mental health Rural communities Rural health Rural health strategy Rural wellbeing fundEmpowering Pharmac and Medsafe with AI for Faster Medicine Access in New Zealand
1 week ago | 303 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has empowered Pharmac and Medsafe to explore the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up their processes. “Faster access to medicines has always been a priority of mine. For many New Zealanders, pharmaceuticals are life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.
Tags: David seymour Medsafe New zealand Pharmac Seymour