30 Jul 2026
2 months ago
723 views
The New Zealand government is investing over $8.5 million in three initiatives to strengthen the rural health workforce and improve local access to care. These include funding for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training, expanded and subsidized Primary Response in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) training, and a $6 million boost to the National Rural Recruitment and Locum Support Service to attract a broader range of health professionals. These efforts aim to equip rural clinicians with better skills and support, ensuring timely, quality healthcare for rural communities and reducing reliance on distant hospital care.
27 May 2026
5 months ago
868 views
New Zealand is preparing to integrate AI technology into its national breast screening program to enhance early detection and improve outcomes for women, with a planned rollout starting in early 2027. The AI tool will support one of the two independent mammogram reads, assisting clinicians without replacing them, thereby addressing growing demand while maintaining expert oversight. This evidence-based approach aims to increase cancer detection rates and ensure timely, accurate results, ultimately improving survival rates for the approximately 3,400 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually.
03 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1232 views
Women in Counties Manukau are now receiving specialist gynaecology care much sooner, with long waits for a first specialist assessment significantly reduced over the past year, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. The number of women waiting over four months for their first gynaecology appointment dropped from over 305 to just 30, marking a 90.2 percent reduction. Counties Manukau clinicians and healthcare teams have played a crucial role in reducing waitlists through strategies like running extra weekend clinics and maximizing available clinic sessions, resulting in a 35.6 percent reduction in the total gynaecology waitlist.
29 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1201 views
New Zealand's first Advanced Practitioner Radiation Therapist specializing in prostate cancer is revolutionizing care in the lower South Island, providing faster access to treatment, personalized support, and improved outcomes for men. The role allows for consistent patient support throughout the treatment journey and enables specialists to see more patients in need of care. The new approach is already demonstrating tangible benefits for patients and clinicians, with plans to extend the model to a wider range of urological conditions in the future to improve patient experience and ensure timely, quality healthcare.
24 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1221 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown are pleased with Pharmac's negotiations to increase access to medicines, recognizing the significant impact on New Zealanders' health and well-being. Pharmac's proposal includes funding for five new treatments for various conditions, potentially benefiting over 1,700 people in the first year and up to 4,000 by year five. The proposal aims to improve patient care by introducing quicker administration methods, saving hospital infusion hours and freeing up resources for other treatments, while also emphasizing the importance of public consultation in decision-making processes.