Health News & Articles
Pharmac's Deal with Medtronic to Save $1.2M Annually on Drug-Eluting Stents
2 hours ago | 38 viewsPharmac has proposed a provisional agreement with Medtronic New Zealand to supply 65% of drug-eluting stents to public hospitals, potentially saving $1.2 million annually while ensuring access to high-quality stents. The proposal, developed with input from the Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group, aims to improve procurement efficiency and collaboration between Pharmac and Health New Zealand. Public consultation is open until April 28 to gather feedback from healthcare professionals and stakeholders before finalizing the deal for implementation starting June 2026.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Medtronic New Zealand Health New Zealand Interventional Cardiology Advisory Group Associate Health Minister public hospitals Principal Supply Status Pharmaceutical ScheduleNew Zealand Lowers Bowel Screening Age to 58, Expands Lifesaving Tests
1 day ago | 67 viewsNew Zealand has lowered the starting age for bowel screening from 60 to 58 across most regions, enabling around 40,000 more people to access early detection and potentially preventing hundreds of cancers and deaths over 25 years. The rollout is staged to ensure sufficient workforce and endoscopy capacity, with the FIT for Symptomatic pathway expanding nationwide to help detect bowel cancer earlier in symptomatic individuals and reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by at least 30%. These initiatives aim to improve cancer diagnostics and care, supporting earlier detection and better prioritization of patients to save more lives.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand MidCentral Australia Auckland Counties Manukau Waitematā Waikato Hawke's BayNew Zealand Launches National Diabetes Roadmap to Improve Care and Prevention
1 day ago | 64 viewsThe National Diabetes Roadmap has been launched in New Zealand to improve prevention, care, and health outcomes for the 348,000 people affected by diabetes, with a focus on earlier intervention, stronger leadership, and better use of technology. The plan includes updating diagnostic criteria to identify more people earlier, expanding community support, enhancing screening, and addressing diabetes drivers, especially in vulnerable communities such as Māori, Pacific, and South Asian populations. An oversight group will guide implementation, aiming for coordinated system-level change to reduce diabetes-related harm and ensure timely, effective treatment nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown Jim MannNew Zealand Exceeds Mental Health Workforce Targets, Reduces Wait Times
1 day ago | 69 viewsThe New Zealand Government has exceeded its mental health workforce target, increasing frontline mental health and addiction professionals by over 11%, which has improved access and reduced wait times for support. Key achievements include training 514 new specialists, surpassing targets for clinical psychology interns and psychiatry trainees, and allocating 25% of funding to prevention and early intervention for the first time. As a result, 83% of people receive primary mental health support within one week, and 82% receive specialist support within three weeks, contributing to improved mental health outcomes nationwide.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health NZ clinical psychology interns psychiatry trainees occupational therapists social workers registered nurses Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission New Zealand GovernmentGovernment Health Targets Improve: Faster Care and Better Outcomes in NZ Q4 2025
2 days ago | 70 viewsThe Government’s quarterly health results for October to December 2025 show clear year-on-year improvements across all five health targets, with more New Zealanders receiving faster care despite ongoing pressures on hospitals. Key gains include shorter emergency department stays, quicker specialist assessments and elective treatments, faster cancer treatments, and higher childhood immunisation rates. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized continued focus on improving the healthcare system and praised the dedication of health workers who delivered better outcomes amid increased demand and challenges.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Government health targets emergency departments specialist assessment elective treatment cancer treatment childhood immunisation healthcare system health system improvementsNew Child Mental Health Service Opens in Counties Manukau for Faster Youth Support
6 days ago | 115 viewsA new dedicated child mental health service, Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki, has been launched in Counties Manukau to provide faster access and early intervention for young people up to intermediate school age facing moderate to severe mental health challenges. This specialist team, part of the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, includes a range of professionals and aims to support the region's rapidly growing youth population with wraparound care. Funded by an $18.7 million government investment, the initiative is part of a broader plan to expand the mental health workforce and improve crisis response to prevent youth from falling through the cracks.
Tags: Matt Doocey Counties Manukau Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki ICAMHS child mental health youth suicide New Zealand Mental Health Minister Health NZ whānau workersGovernment Invests $4M in 18 Rural Wellbeing Initiatives Across New Zealand
1 week ago | 100 viewsThe New Zealand Government is supporting rural communities by funding 18 wellbeing initiatives through the Rural Wellbeing Fund, with $4 million allocated over four years by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Health New Zealand. The fund aims to enhance mental health and wellbeing support for farmers and rural residents, focusing on impactful grassroots programs to address service gaps. Key recipients include organizations like Whatever With Wiggy Charitable Trust and the Whanau Ora Community Clinic, receiving significant funding to help rural people thrive.
Tags: Todd McClay Matt Doocey Rural Wellbeing Fund New Zealand Government Ministry for Primary Industries Health New Zealand Farmstrong Charitable Trust NZ Federation of Young Farmers Seafood Sector Support Network Whanau Ora Community ClinicMental Health Innovation Fund Round Three Expands Access Across New Zealand
1 week ago | 107 viewsThe Mental Health and Addiction Innovation Fund in New Zealand has entered its third round with changes to increase access, including revising the requirement for an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) report to a more flexible proposal-based approach. These adjustments respond to sector feedback by lowering barriers such as matched-funding thresholds and allowing community organizations to better demonstrate outcomes while maintaining robust evaluation. With $20 million allocated over two years, the Fund aims to support grassroots initiatives that improve timely access to mental health and addiction services, protect public specialist services, and deliver scalable, evidence-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Innovation Fund Women’s Refuge Social Return on Investment Grassroots Organisations Mental Health Workforce Crisis ResponseNew Zealand Launches Pilot for Faster, Local Genomic Testing in Cancer and Rare Diseases
1 week ago | 138 viewsHealth New Zealand is launching a two-year pilot program to provide faster, locally delivered genomic testing for cancer and rare disorders, reducing wait times by processing tests domestically rather than overseas. Partnering with Illumina, the pilot will use Whole Genome Sequencing and Comprehensive Genomic Profiling to improve diagnosis, treatment decisions, and build local expertise while managing genomic data securely. This initiative aims to enhance clinical outcomes, generate operational savings, and inform the development of a national genomics service focused on timely, patient-centered care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Illumina New Zealand cancer rare disorders genomic testing Whole Genome Sequencing Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Rare Disorders Month$468K Grant Boosts SPCA Dog Desexing to Curb Roaming and Attacks in NZ
1 week ago | 101 viewsInternal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has granted $468,000 from the Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund to the SPCA for a targeted dog desexing program aimed at reducing irresponsible breeding and roaming dogs in Auckland and Northland. This initiative, totaling nearly $1.2 million with the SPCA’s contribution, seeks to improve public safety by preventing dog attacks and controlling the dog population, potentially stopping 7,500 puppies from being born in the first year. The program is part of a broader government effort to address dog-related harm, with progress monitored through quarterly reports and further measures to be announced.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Arnja Dale SPCA Lottery Minister Internal Affairs Minister New Zealand Northland Auckland dog desexing animal welfareNew Zealand Invests $20M to Support Families and Prevent Addiction Harm by 2029
1 week ago | 82 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing nearly $20 million annually in a new Action Plan to improve addiction support, focusing on early intervention, expanded pregnancy and parenting services, and community-based follow-up for those affected by substance use. Emphasizing the critical first 1000 days of a child's life, the plan aims to prevent harm through early identification and enhanced support for families experiencing alcohol or drug issues. Progress includes a growing addiction workforce and reduced counselor vacancies, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing addiction comprehensively across all stages.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand addiction substance harm mental health fetal alcohol spectrum disorder methamphetamine parenting support drug and alcohol counsellors Action PlanGovernment Expands Redress for Abuse Survivors in Mental Health Care to 2022
1 week ago | 125 viewsThe Government is extending the state redress scheme to cover survivors of abuse in State-run mental health inpatient facilities from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022, addressing gaps identified after Health New Zealand assumed responsibility in 2022. This change, prompted by survivors' difficulties in accessing recognition and redress, aims to provide consistent support and accountability regardless of when the abuse occurred. The amendment to the Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill is progressing through Parliament, reflecting the Government’s commitment to meaningful change and preventing future harm.
Tags: Erica Stanford Charlotte Health New Zealand Royal Commission Ministry of Social Development Oranga Tamariki New Zealand Government Social Services and Community Select Committee Redress System for Abuse in Care BillHealth NZ Shifts Decision-Making Closer to Patients for Better Care from July 1
1 week ago | 118 viewsFrom 1 July, Health New Zealand will decentralize decision-making to regions and districts, granting them authority over workforce, budgets, and service delivery to improve responsiveness and patient care. The national body will retain responsibility for strategy, standards, and system-wide planning, ensuring a coordinated health system. These changes aim to reduce bureaucracy, empower frontline healthcare providers, and enhance access to care by making decisions closer to patients and communities.
Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown healthcare hospitals patients communities workforce service delivery health system reformHealth Minister Simeon Brown Welcomes New Health NZ Staff Pay Agreement
1 week ago | 79 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 4,400 Health New Zealand staff represented by the Public Service Association, recognizing their vital role in supporting frontline health services. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump-sum payment, and enhanced on-call and after-hours allowances. This ratification brings the total number of Health New Zealand employees covered by collective agreements to around 20,000, ensuring staff certainty and continued quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Public Service Association PSA PAKS APEX collective agreement frontline teams pay increaseNew Zealand Invests $25M to Boost Hospital Capacity and Care This Winter
1 week ago | 95 viewsHealth New Zealand is investing an additional $25 million to increase hospital capacity, staffing, and preparedness for higher winter demand, including adding up to 378 full-time staff, 71 extra hospital beds, and 567 short stay beds in aged care facilities. The comprehensive winter plan focuses on prevention, strengthening primary care, improving hospital flow, and supporting timely discharges to manage increased pressure on emergency departments and frontline staff. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes early planning and expanded resources to ensure timely patient care despite rising demand and challenges during the winter months.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand hospital capacity winter demand emergency department aged residential care vaccination primary care frontline staff