21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
581 views
The number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped from 2,200 to 743, significantly reducing wait times. This improvement is due to initiatives such as increased theatre capacity, better support for families, and a pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment as an alternative to general anaesthetic. These efforts have freed up hospital resources for more urgent cases and ensured faster access to dental care for children.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
524 views
The number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped by over 1,400, reaching its lowest level in years due to various initiatives like increased theatre capacity and better collaboration between hospital and community teams. A pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment has provided an alternative to general anaesthetic, helping 340 children receive faster care and reducing the surgical waitlist. These efforts have freed up hospital capacity for more urgent cases and improved timely access to dental treatment for children.
06 Aug 2026
2 months ago
616 views
A new urgent and after-hours service will open at Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub this Saturday to provide local urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions, reducing pressure on Christchurch Hospital's emergency department. The service operates evenings, weekends, and public holidays, improving access for the rapidly growing Rolleston and Selwyn district. This initiative is part of the Government’s $164 million Budget 2025 investment to expand urgent care nationwide, aiming to ensure 98% of New Zealanders can reach urgent care within an hour.
09 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1209 views
A new 30-bed specialised spinal rehabilitation centre will be built at Manukau Health Park, replacing the outdated 20-bed Ōtara Spinal Unit and expanding rehabilitation capacity to improve patient care and ease pressure on Middlemore Hospital. This $128.5 million investment includes refurbishing Middlemore Hospital’s adult rehabilitation ward, resulting in a total of 58 rehabilitation beds to meet rising demand through 2040. The modern facility will feature enhanced therapy spaces, integrated clinical services, and improved patient access, reflecting a patient-centred design aligned with the new Model of Rehabilitation.
11 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1343 views
Northlanders can now access key vascular surgeries like renal fistula and varicose vein treatments at Whangārei Hospital, reducing the need to travel to Auckland. This new service builds on existing outpatient clinics and visiting specialist support, with monthly surgeries and dedicated clinical nurse specialists enhancing local care coordination. The initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to improving regional healthcare access and delivering more services closer to home.
21 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1405 views
New cataract services have launched at Hutt Hospital, providing 20 to 25 surgery sessions monthly to improve local access and reduce waiting times across the Wellington region. Additionally, Kenepuru Hospital is expanding vitreoretinal surgery capacity with two to three extra weekly sessions to address urgent retinal conditions and prevent vision loss. These initiatives aim to treat 300 to 500 more patients annually, enhancing timely care and preserving patients’ independence and quality of life.
16 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1450 views
New Zealand has seen year-on-year improvements in healthcare access, including faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunisation rates, and shorter waits for surgeries and specialist assessments, despite a busy winter and union strikes. The government’s investments, such as a $604 million boost to Pharmac and the Elective Boost program, have contributed to these gains by delivering new medicines and additional procedures. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes ongoing efforts to ensure timely, quality care for all Kiwis, supported by increased funding and frontline staff.
18 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1173 views
Health New Zealand has approved $16.25 million to establish an advanced hybrid operating theatre at Wellington Regional Hospital, enabling faster, safer, and more advanced surgical care by combining imaging technology and surgical capabilities in one location. This new facility will eliminate the need to transfer patients between separate theatres and imaging suites, reducing delays, improving recovery times, and increasing surgical output. The investment aims to enhance healthcare efficiency, reduce system pressure, and provide world-class surgical care closer to home for New Zealanders.
08 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1227 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.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1517 views
The number of patients waiting for critical heart and lung surgery in Waikato has decreased by 70% since November 2023, with the waitlist dropping from 90 to 27 people. Health Minister Simeon Brown commends the progress, emphasizing the importance of timely access to healthcare for all Kiwis. The improvements are attributed to the dedication of frontline health workers in the region and the government's focus on reducing wait times for elective procedures to ensure quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.
07 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1922 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown highlights the significant reduction in neurosurgery wait times in the South Island, emphasizing the importance of timely access to specialist care for serious brain and spinal conditions. The number of patients waiting for neurosurgery has decreased by 22% and those waiting longer than four months has dropped by 45%, reflecting positive progress in patient care. The government's focus on reducing waitlists, investing in surgical teams, and ensuring timely specialist care demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for all New Zealanders.
29 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1928 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown reports a 15% decrease in the orthopaedic surgery waitlist in the Midland region since November 2023, with the number of people waiting dropping from 3,125 to 2,668 between November 2023 and March 2025. The reduction in wait times has led to improved quality of life for patients, with fewer individuals waiting longer than four months. The government is investing in workforce expansion and surgical capacity to ensure 95% of patients receive treatment within four months by 2030, though there is acknowledgment that more progress is needed to further reduce wait times for orthopaedic patients in Midland.