12 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1154 views
The Medicines Amendment Bill in New Zealand has lifted the prohibition on advertising medicines at medical conferences and trade shows, signaling the country's readiness for business, according to Regulation Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown. This change is expected to inject cash into local economies through the Red Tape Tipline and provide Kiwis with increased access to needed medicines. The move is projected to generate $90 million in revenue over the next few years, attracting major medical conferences to New Zealand and fostering economic activity.
11 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1141 views
Stage 1 of the radiology upgrade at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital will provide over 10,000 additional MRI and CT scans annually, improving diagnostic speed. The refurbishment doubles MRI and CT imaging capacity, ensuring quicker and more reliable services for patients. The upgrades support government health targets, including reducing wait times, enhancing emergency care, and increasing diagnostic efficiency to meet growing demand in Hawke’s Bay.
10 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1205 views
Expressions of interest are now open for graduate doctors in New Zealand to gain hands-on experience in general practice and community-based settings, aiming to address the shortage of family doctors and increase GP numbers. The Primary Care Tactical Action Plan, funded by the Government, will allocate $23.3 million over four years to support up to 50 graduate doctors annually, with a focus on primary care placements to provide valuable community-based experience. This initiative aims to encourage early-career doctors to consider primary care as a long-term career, ultimately strengthening the health workforce and improving access to quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.
10 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1154 views
A new digital X-ray system has been installed at the Stratford Health Centre in Taranaki, improving access to diagnostic services for the community and eliminating the need for patients to travel to Taranaki Base Hospital. The system offers faster image processing, greater accuracy, and advanced automatic positioning technology, enhancing the quality and efficiency of radiology services for patients in Stratford. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative to strengthen local health services in Taranaki, with further expansion of radiology capabilities planned for the New East Wing Building at Taranaki Base Hospital in 2026.
08 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1242 views
Auckland City Hospital has upgraded to eight new heart and lung bypass machines, benefiting cardiothoracic patients across New Zealand, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. The $3.2 million investment aims to enhance safety and outcomes for over 1000 cardiac surgeries and 50 heart and lung transplants performed annually at the hospital. The new machines offer advanced technology for tailored therapy and monitoring during complex procedures, ensuring the highest standard of care and supporting frontline health teams in delivering lifesaving interventions.
07 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1257 views
The Taranaki Cancer Centre, recently opened, provides world-class cancer care close to home for patients in the region, featuring a Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy. This technology allows for precise treatment targeting, improving outcomes and patient comfort. The facility also offers increased access to chemotherapy, enhancing medication availability and treatment scheduling, in addition to various amenities to support patients and families throughout their care journey.
05 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1189 views
A new dialysis unit in Blenheim, Marlborough eliminates the need for patients to travel to Nelson for treatment, thanks to collaboration between Marlborough Primary Health and Health New Zealand. The facility, developed with community support and advocacy, will initially operate three days a week with plans for expansion. This initiative aims to provide patient-centered care, bringing services closer to home and reflecting the needs of the community while addressing the challenges of chronic kidney disease in the region.
03 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1060 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the new Primary Care Advisory Group, with Dr Bryan Betty as Chair and Dr Samantha Murton as Deputy Chair. Other appointed members include Penny Clark, Dr Jo Scott-Jones, Dr Steven Young, Dr Kate Baddock, Dr Stephanie Taylor, and Darryl Jhinku. The group aims to provide expert guidance to strengthen primary care, improve health outcomes, and expand its focus beyond general practice into other community healthcare settings, with terms of office starting on 3 November 2025.
03 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1154 views
Health New Zealand is launching a nationwide Measles Immunisation Week to combat rising measles cases, urging all New Zealanders to check and protect their immunisation status. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the MMR vaccine, promote timely immunisation for all ages, and support health sector efforts to prevent measles spread. Free MMR immunisations are available for individuals aged 12 months and older, with additional clinics running throughout the week to facilitate vaccinations.
02 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1413 views
Five busy hospitals in New Zealand, including Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington Regional, Nelson, and Hawke’s Bay, will receive a total of 140 new beds through the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme by 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown announces. The wards will be constructed off-site and installed on hospital grounds to quickly boost capacity, improve patient flow, and support faster admissions and discharges. Each hospital's new ward will serve specific roles, such as expanding general medicine capacity, providing assessment and diagnostic services, supporting acute flow, enabling services relocation during seismic work, and streamlining care for short-stay surgical patients.
01 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1177 views
Te Kūiti Hospital celebrates its 100-year anniversary, highlighting the crucial role of rural hospitals in providing local healthcare, as emphasized by Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey. The hospital serves over 14,000 people, offering emergency care, specialist clinics, and allied health support, reducing the need for locals to travel long distances for healthcare. The government is investing in rural healthcare improvements, including $164 million to enhance urgent and after-hours care, with Te Kūiti Hospital being a prototype site for innovative trials shaping rural health services nationwide.
31 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1188 views
Free blood testing is being introduced for nearly 24,000 residents in Te Anau and Wānaka, addressing the lack of local blood collection centers in rural South Island communities. Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasize the importance of providing free blood tests to improve healthcare access and reduce inequities between rural and urban areas. The initiative aims to enable earlier diagnoses, eliminate travel and cost barriers, and ensure rural New Zealanders receive necessary care in their own communities, with support from local MPs and Health New Zealand's efforts for consistent free blood testing across the South Island.
28 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1184 views
The Government, led by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and Health Minister Simeon Brown, has announced an integrated approach to reform the aged care system, establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the outdated funding model. The focus is on improving health outcomes for the aging population, creating a sustainable and cohesive system that allows for smooth transitions between different types of care. The expert Group will provide recommendations on the funding model, cost-sharing, and integration between aged care and health services, with the goal of implementing changes by 2027 to ensure all New Zealanders have access to the care they need as they age.
27 Oct 2025
12 months ago
1090 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announces the rollout of an AI scribe tool to 1000 doctors and frontline staff in emergency departments, aiming to reduce administrative burden and enhance patient care. The tool automatically generates clinical notes, referral letters, and follow-up summaries, allowing doctors to focus more on patients during consultations. Successful pilot results in Hawke’s Bay and Whanganui led to the nationwide implementation, demonstrating the potential of AI to improve efficiency and quality of care in the healthcare system.
25 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1097 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announces the installation of 35 upgraded dialysis machines and evening dialysis services in Waitākere, benefiting patients in West Auckland and on the North Shore. This initiative aims to improve access to critical dialysis services and offer more convenient treatment options closer to home. The upgraded equipment and extended operating hours will reduce travel time, increase flexibility for patients, and enhance the quality of care provided in the region.