Health News & Articles
Showing 15 of 2394 articles
New Mental Health Accreditation Pathway Opens Doors for 330 Counsellors in NZ Public Services
26 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2204 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announces the removal of a workforce barrier for over 330 experienced counsellors in publicly funded mental health services through a revised accreditation process with Health New Zealand and NZAC. The strengthened accreditation pathway aims to address workforce shortages and increase timely mental health support for New Zealanders. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce vacancies, utilize underutilized workforces, and improve access to mental health services.
Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand New Zealand Association of Counsellors workforce barriers mental health support workforce shortages Health NZ counselling primary mental health workforce peer support specialistsNew Outpatient Hysteroscopy Service at North Shore Hospital Enhances Women's Diagnostic Pathway
26 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2739 viewsA new outpatient hysteroscopy service at North Shore Hospital combines specialist assessments and diagnostic procedures in a single visit, reducing delays and stress for women. This streamlined approach allows women to have both assessment and procedure in one appointment, leading to fewer hospital visits and quicker diagnoses, especially for those with suspected cancer. The initiative aims to improve the quality and timeliness of care for women undergoing gynaecological investigations and supports faster cancer treatment targets by expediting diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister outpatient hysteroscopy service North Shore Hospital women diagnosis specialist assessment diagnostic procedure cancer treatmentEnhancing GP Funding and Access for Kiwis: Government's New Health Initiatives
24 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3372 viewsThe Government, led by Health Minister Simeon Brown, is enhancing access to healthcare for New Zealanders by focusing on improved funding for rural practices, faster GP access, and bolstering the GP workforce through training and retention initiatives. Changes to GP funding will better reflect patient needs by updating the capitation model to include factors like multimorbidity and socioeconomic deprivation, effective from July 1, 2026. A new national health target aims to ensure over 80% of people can see a primary care provider within one week, aligning with efforts to improve access to mental health services, while targeted investments in GP training seek to attract and retain more doctors, especially in rural and high-needs areas.
Tags: Government Kiwis doctor funding rural practices primary care GPs Simeon Brown health target GP accessNew Guidelines for Prescribing Psilocybin to Treat Depression Welcomed by Associate Health Minister
24 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2009 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports the publication of guidelines by Medsafe for prescribing Psilocybin to treat depression, aligning New Zealand with Australia. The guidelines require practitioners to meet specific criteria, including registration with the Medical Council and expertise in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Approval allows experienced psychiatrists to prescribe Psilocybin to patients with treatment-resistant depression, with the potential for more practitioners to follow suit, expanding access to this treatment option.
Tags: David Seymour Medsafe Psilocybin Depression New Zealand Australia Psychiatrist Medical Council Psychotherapeutic processes GuidelinesEmpowering Frontline Workers: Enhanced Training for Family and Sexual Violence Response
24 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1947 viewsFrontline services are implementing enhanced training to support staff in responding to family and sexual violence, aiming to train 10,000 workers within the next two years. Minister Karen Chhour emphasizes the importance of this training in providing best practice support for victim-survivors and enabling staff to effectively address such violence. Progress against the Te Aorerekura Action Plan includes training for Ministry of Justice, Department of Corrections, and Police recruits, with a focus on collaboration and commitment to improve support for victim-survivors.
Tags: training staff support family violence sexual violence frontline services Minister Karen Chhour government departments Te Aorerekura Action PlanRevolutionizing Heart Failure Care in Hawke’s Bay: Faster Treatment, Better Outcomes
24 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1946 viewsA new digital model of care for heart failure in Hawke’s Bay is improving patient outcomes by offering faster treatment and reducing hospital visits. The remote patient monitoring pathway allows for tailored, home-based care with medication adjustments made from home. Results show significant improvements, including zero hospital readmissions within 30 days, improved appointment attendance, and faster medication titration, leading to increased capacity for clinical teams and quicker access to care for patients.
Tags: heart failure digital model of care remote patient monitoring Simeon Brown medication titration hospital visits health professionals Hawke’s BayGovernment Revokes Vaping Battery Rule Amid Court Challenge
23 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1875 viewsThe Government is revoking 2023 regulations mandating removable batteries in vaping devices to address a court challenge by Mason Corporation Limited. Cabinet decided this action would resolve the case, allowing withdrawal of proceedings related to regulations introduced by the previous Labour government. The change will be implemented on September 1, eliminating the requirement for removable batteries in vaping devices, with no anticipated adverse effects on smoking or vaping rates due to prior legislation banning disposable vapes popular among youth.
Tags: Government regulations vaping devices removeable batteries court challenge Mason Corporation Limited Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Labour government gazetted disposable vapesGovernment-backed Gumboot Friday Provides Vital Mental Health Support for Young New Zealanders
23 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2030 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey supports Gumboot Friday, an initiative aiding youth mental health. Government funding has enabled over 30,000 counseling sessions for 10,000 young New Zealanders. The initiative plans to expand, with 700 counselors registered and aims to reach 15,000 youth with 40,000 sessions in 2025/26.
Tags: Matt Doocey Government funding Gumboot Friday young people mental health support counselling sessions New Zealanders counsellors I Am Hope partnershipPharmac’s New Consumer Working Group: Resetting the Patient-Pharmac Relationship for Better Health Outcomes
21 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2365 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac's new consumer working group to improve its collaboration with health consumers, emphasizing the importance of patient input in decision-making processes. The working group, led by Dr. Malcolm Mulholland, includes members representing various health conditions, aiming to reset the relationship between Pharmac and the consumer community. The government's support includes increased funding for Pharmac to negotiate better deals for medicine and enhance access for patients and their families.
Tags: David Seymour Malcolm Mulholland Pharmac Consumer working group Patient advocacy Patient engagement Health consumers Medicines Patient Voice Aotearoa New ZealandersUniversity of Waikato to Establish New Medical School with Focus on Primary Care and Rural Health
21 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1891 viewsThe University of Waikato will establish a new medical school with a focus on primary care and rural health, receiving significant funding from the Government and the University. The school will offer a graduate-entry program to attract diverse students and strengthen the medical workforce. This initiative is part of the Government's investment in health system and workforce, adding 120 doctor training places annually from 2028 and contributing to regional development and education in the Waikato.
Tags: Simeon Brown Shane Reti University of Waikato Government Health Minister Universities Minister medical school primary care rural health New ZealandPharmac Innovations: Driving Access to Life-saving Medicines for Kiwis
21 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1942 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has outlined clear expectations for Pharmac to enhance innovation and optimize services for better healthcare delivery to New Zealanders. Pharmac has made improvements in consultation processes, funding criteria adjustments, and appointed new leadership to drive positive change. The focus is on modernizing Pharmac, adopting AI technologies, engaging stakeholders proactively, and increasing transparency to ensure timely access to medicines and medical devices for all Kiwis.
Tags: David Seymour Natalie McMurtry Pharmac Kiwis New Zealanders Government AI Stakeholders Regulatory systemNew Cardiac Cath Lab Enhances Care at Tauranga Hospital
19 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2095 viewsA new state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation lab at Tauranga Hospital enhances diagnostic and treatment services in the region, replacing the old suite that had been in use since 2017. The upgraded facility offers advanced technology for cardiac care, reducing the need for patients to travel to other hospitals for complex procedures. With plans to increase operational sessions, the lab aims to provide a wider range of interventional services locally, improving access to quality healthcare and outcomes for patients in the Bay of Plenty and surrounding areas.
Tags: Tauranga Hospital Health Minister Simeon Brown cardiac catheterisation lab diagnostic services treatment services angiography stenting pacemaker insertion electrophysiology endovascular aneurysm repairBoosting Sign Language in New Zealand: Funding for Families of Deaf Children
15 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1801 viewsThe New Zealand government is funding 11 community projects, totaling nearly $250,000, to support and promote the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) among families of Deaf children and teenagers. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston highlights the importance of these initiatives, including NZSL classes, community events, a directory website in NZSL, a code of ethics review, and skills development programs for interpreters. The NZSL Board, which advocates for NZSL use, invests approximately $1 million annually to enhance NZSL initiatives and projects.
Tags: Deaf children teenagers community projects sign language New Zealand Louise Upston NZSL Board Deaf community interpreter workforce Deaf clubsChildhood Immunisation Rates Continue to Soar, Reflecting Government Commitment to Kiwi Health
14 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 1796 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
12 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 2976 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 Health