Health News & Articles
Government Responds to Health Committee Report on Aged Care for Neurological Disorders
1 day ago | 54 viewsThe Government has welcomed the Health Committee’s report on aged care support for people with neurological cognitive disorders, following an inquiry launched in 2024 that gathered extensive input and made 14 recommendations. The Government’s response acknowledges these recommendations and will consider them through ongoing aged care reforms, including work by the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group. Committed to improving access and quality of care, the Government aims to ensure timely support for older people, particularly those with neurological cognitive conditions.
Tags: Casey Costello Health Committee New Zealand First National coalition Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group Government neurological cognitive disorders dementia aged care ParliamentRoyal Commission Report Reveals Lessons and Impact of New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response
1 day ago | 54 viewsThe Royal Commission's final report on New Zealand's COVID-19 response highlights that initial restrictions were appropriate but later extended beyond public health advice, with economic warnings ignored, leading to excessive spending and increased public debt. Auckland endured the longest lockdown, exceeding official recommendations, and vaccine mandates for under-18s did not align with expert advice, reflecting missed opportunities to balance health and economic impacts. The Government acknowledges the sacrifices made by New Zealanders and plans to respond to the report’s recommendations by July, aiming to better balance future health and economic decisions.
Tags: Simeon Brown Royal Commission New Zealand Auckland Treasury vaccine mandate lockdown economic impact public healthMore Choice and Control for Disabled People’s Flexible Funding from April 2026
1 day ago | 67 viewsFrom April 2026, disabled people will have greater choice and control over their flexible funding without changes to their current budget allocations, as purchasing rules will be removed while still requiring spending to align with individual plans. These changes follow successful efforts since 2024 to stabilize the disability support system, including strengthened financial controls, improved needs assessments, and significant new funding to ensure sustainability and consistency. Support will be provided to help individuals manage their budgets, with some high-cost or specific purchases requiring pre-approval, reflecting feedback from the disability community and recommendations from the 2024 Independent Review.
Tags: Louise Upston disability support flexible funding Independent Review 2024 DSS NASCs Enabling Good Lives Budget 2025 residential care carersErin James Appointed New Aged Care Commissioner to Enhance Quality Care
2 days ago | 73 viewsAssociate Minister of Health Casey Costello announced Ms Erin James as the new Aged Care Commissioner, a role within the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner focused on advocating for quality health services for older people. Ms James, currently Director of the OPCAT team at the Office of the Ombudsman, will serve a five-year term starting 7 April 2026. Her appointment aligns with ongoing efforts to improve the aged care system by ensuring timely, appropriate, and sustainable care.
Tags: Casey Costello Erin James Aged Care Commissioner Health and Disability Commissioner Office of the Ombudsman Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture OPCAT Associate Minister of Health aged care system health systemHealth NZ to Employ First-Year GP Trainees Directly, Boosting Primary Care Workforce
6 days ago | 129 viewsHealth New Zealand will directly employ all first-year GP trainees to simplify their transition from hospital training and maintain continuity of employment conditions, encouraging more doctors to choose general practice. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners will continue overseeing the training program, while the government implements initiatives such as increasing medical training places, establishing a new medical school, and funding overseas-trained doctors to strengthen the GP workforce. These changes aim to improve access to primary care by building a stronger pipeline of GPs and making general practice training more attractive and accessible.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Auckland Medical School Otago Medical School Waikato Medical School GP trainees primary care workforce New Zealand doctors medical trainingNew Zealand Proposes Funding Letermovir to Prevent Infection After Stem Cell Transplants
6 days ago | 80 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund letermovir from May 2026 to prevent serious CMV infections in stem cell transplant patients and those with severe immunosuppression. This initiative aims to improve patient outcomes by reducing complications, hospital stays, and healthcare system pressure, aligning with the Government’s commitment to expanding stem cell transplant capacity and enhancing cancer treatment access. Pharmac is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal, inviting input from affected patients, families, health professionals, and advocacy groups.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac letermovir stem cell transplant New Zealand CMV infection cancer treatment healthcare system Faster Cancer TreatmentMorag McDowell Reappointed as Health and Disability Commissioner for Two Years
6 days ago | 122 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has announced the reappointment of Ms Morag McDowell as Health and Disability Commissioner for a two-year term starting 7 March 2026. Ms McDowell brings extensive legal expertise and health sector experience, which will help the organization deliver fair and effective services. The Government aims to keep patients central to the health system and improve healthcare quality for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Morag McDowell Health Minister Health and Disability Commissioner New Zealand Government healthcare patients legal expertise health sectorWairarapa Hospital Upgrades Diagnostic Care with New $2.46M CT Scanner
1 week ago | 151 viewsWairarapa Hospital has introduced a new $2.46 million CT scanner to enhance diagnostic services, providing faster, more reliable imaging and improving patient access. The upgrade will increase output by around five percent, supporting quicker diagnoses, stronger cancer pathways, and better regional care coordination. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment strengthens frontline infrastructure, ensuring quality, modern healthcare for regional communities now and in the future.
Tags: CT scanner Wairarapa Hospital diagnostic services Health Minister Simeon Brown imaging technology healthcare investment regional healthcare patient care cancer pathways medical infrastructureHealth NZ Doubles Store Checks to Curb Illegal Cigarette and Vape Sales to Minors
1 week ago | 101 viewsHealth agencies in New Zealand more than doubled controlled purchase operations last year to reduce illegal sales of cigarettes and vapes to minors, resulting in over 4,500 visits and 489 infringement fines issued. About 90% of retailers complied with regulations, but roughly 10% remained non-compliant, facing fines up to $2,000 without court proceedings. Strengthened efforts included hiring additional Compliance Officers, passing stricter legislation banning disposable vapes, and increasing penalties, with regular compliance updates now available from the Ministry of Health.
Tags: Casey Costello Health NZ Ministry of Health New Zealand vaping cigarettes minors compliance officers controlled purchase operations legislationNew Neonatal Unit at Hutt Hospital to Expand Specialist Newborn Care
1 week ago | 121 viewsConstruction of a new neonatal unit at Hutt Hospital will begin in April 2026, expanding specialist newborn care capacity from 12 to 14 cots and increasing the floor area by 61 percent. The $10.5 million facility is designed to improve infection control, clinical workflows, and family comfort, allowing more babies to receive care locally without needing transfer to Wellington Hospital. Local leaders emphasize that this upgrade supports the growing community by providing quality neonatal care close to home, with the unit expected to open in mid-2027.
Tags: Simeon Brown Chris Bishop Hutt Hospital neonatal unit Hutt Valley newborn care Wellington Hospital health infrastructure specialist care hospital constructionGovernment Boosts Funding for Smokefree Youth Music Programs to Promote Health
1 week ago | 129 viewsThe Government is increasing funding to $550,000 per year for the next three years to support Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, youth music programs promoting smokefree and vapefree lifestyles. These events have been instrumental in encouraging creativity and wellbeing among young people for 36 years, contributing to a significant decline in smoking and vaping rates among youth. The 2025 editions achieved record participation and audience engagement, highlighting their effectiveness in reaching and influencing young people.
Tags: Casey Costello Smokefreerockquest Smokefree Tangata Beats Health NZ Associate Health Minister youth music programmes smokefree lifestyle vapefree lifestyle quit smoking campaigns government investmentWānaka Now Offers Publicly Funded X-Ray and Ultrasound Services Locally
1 week ago | 144 viewsPublicly funded X-ray and ultrasound services are now available locally in Wānaka, eliminating the need for patients to travel outside the area for routine diagnostic imaging. This expansion, expected to provide around 2,900 imaging tests over 18 months, responds to community feedback and aims to improve timely access to healthcare for rural residents. The new service operates through outsourcing arrangements and requires referrals via the Community Referred Radiology Programme, while urgent imaging remains at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde.
Tags: Wānaka Simeon Brown Matt Doocey diagnostic imaging ultrasound rural health Central Otago Community Referred Radiology Programme Dunstan HospitalNew Collective Agreements Boost Salaries and Support for NZ Public Health Nurses
1 week ago | 123 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Public Service Association Public Health Nurses Mental Health Nurses Health New Zealand Nurse Practitioners APEX pharmacy APEX psychologists APEX dietitiansACC Achieves Best Rehabilitation Results in a Decade, Helping Kiwis Return to Work Faster
1 week ago | 152 viewsNew Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has achieved its strongest rehabilitation performance in over a decade, reducing the growth rate of long-term claims and helping injured New Zealanders return to work and independence faster. This improvement follows a government-mandated Turnaround Plan focused on client-centered care, lasting recovery, and organizational reset, reversing previous increases in long-term claim growth under the Labour government. While progress is evident in the latest public report, the government acknowledges more work is needed to ensure consistent support for claimants and build a better future.
Tags: New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation ACC Scott Simpson rehabilitation Turnaround Plan return to work Letter of Expectations injury supportNew Collective Agreement Secures Salary Increase for Health NZ Dietitians
1 week ago | 226 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for Health New Zealand dietitians, resulting from a successful APEX vote. The 24-month agreement includes salary increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second, along with enhanced professional membership contributions and improved terms. This agreement follows recent approvals for other health sector workforce agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in settling employment conditions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand dietitians Association of Professional and Executive Employees APEX collective agreement salary increase workforce agreements public health union representatives