Health News & Articles

Government Launches Southern Engagement Group for New Dunedin Hospital Project

1 day ago | 126 views

The Government is focused on the delivery of Dunedin’s new inpatient building, with the establishment of a local engagement group to support the next phase of the New Dunedin Hospital project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Work is back underway on the inpatient building at the former Cadbury site, marking a critical phase for this major health investment. I’m pleased to announce, alongside Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich, the formation of the Southern Engagement Group, which will help ensure the local community is kept well informed as this vital project progresses,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: Government Dunedin inpatient building local engagement group New Dunedin Hospital project Health Minister Simeon Brown Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich Southern Engagement Group Health New Zealand leaders community.

Major Milestone: Construction Progress on Dunedin's Innovative New Inpatient Building Accelerates

1 day ago | 182 views

Work is back underway on Dunedin’s new inpatient building, marking a major step forward in the Government’s commitment to delivering this critical health project, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “It’s great to be back in Dunedin to see physical works now underway again on the former Cadbury site. This visible progress clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering this vital project.

Tags: Dunedin inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown construction phase pile caps concrete reinforcing steel substructure base isolators IL4 foundations

Rural Health Roadshow: Minister Matt Doocey Visits Ōamaru to Improve Healthcare Services

3 days ago | 149 views

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey will be coming to Ōamaru today as part of the rural health roadshow across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health about what’s working well and where the barriers may be. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.

Tags: Matt Doocey Rural Health Mental Health Health Minister Rural Health Strategy Budget 2025 Primary Care Fieldays New Zealanders Rural Wellbeing Fund

New Zealand Government Boosts Elective Procedures, Cutting Wait Times for Life-Changing Surgeries

3 days ago | 183 views

Thousands more New Zealanders will get the procedures they need faster, with the Government today announcing 21,000 more elective procedures over the next year through its Elective Boost programme, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “With over 215,000 procedures set to go ahead over the next year – over 21,000 more than previously planned – wait times will reduce, helping more Kiwis access life-changing operations like hip and knee replacements and cataract surgeries sooner. “Our Government is focused on real delivery.

Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister New Zealanders Elective Boost programme procedures

Pharmac's Comprehensive List of Medical Devices for Public Hospitals- Enhancing Management and Transparency in Healthcare

3 days ago | 187 views

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has today announced that Pharmac have created their comprehensive list of medical devices which are used in public hospitals, to improve the way they manage medical devices. “Almost everyone diagnosed or treated at a public hospital relies on medical devices for their care. These can range from bandages and cotton swabs to pacemakers, hip replacements, hospital beds, and robotic surgery machines,” Mr Seymour says.

Tags: David seymour Government Hospital medical devices New zealand Pharmac Seymour

Rural Health Roadshow in Wānaka: Ministers Doocey and Patterson Engage with Community for Better Healthcare Access

4 days ago | 244 views

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson will be coming to Wānaka today as part of the rural health roadshow happening across the country. “The rural health roadshow is an opportunity for me to hear direct feedback from the public and those who are working in rural health. The roadshow is also a great opportunity to hear how well the Rural Health Strategy is being implemented,” Mr Doocey says.

Tags: Mark patterson Matt doocey Mental health Rural communities Rural health Rural health strategy Rural wellbeing fund

Empowering Pharmac and Medsafe with AI for Faster Medicine Access in New Zealand

4 days ago | 201 views

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has empowered Pharmac and Medsafe to explore the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up their processes. “Faster access to medicines has always been a priority of mine. For many New Zealanders, pharmaceuticals are life or death, or the difference between a life of pain and suffering or living freely,” Mr Seymour says.

Tags: David seymour Medsafe New zealand Pharmac Seymour

Accessible 24/7 Online GP Service Launched Nationwide for New Zealanders

4 days ago | 135 views

New Zealanders can now access trusted primary healthcare around the clock, no matter where they are in the country, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “A new 24/7 digital health service, launched today, means people can have virtual consultations with New Zealand-registered doctors and nurses, anytime, anywhere,” Mr Brown says. “This is about making sure Kiwis can get the medical help they need when they need it, especially when they can’t get a timely appointment with their regular general practitioner (GP), or outside normal clinic hours.

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New Zealanders to Benefit from Strengthened Whānau Ora Support Services with Enhanced Focus on Community Needs

4 days ago | 215 views

New Zealanders will soon benefit from strengthened Whānau Ora support services with a renewed focus on those in greatest need, Whānau Ora Minister Tama Potaka says. Four new Whānau Ora commissioning agencies - Rangitāmiro, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Te Tauraki (a subsidiary of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu), and the Cause Collective (operating as The Tātou Collective) - will begin commissioning services from providers starting 1 July. Mr Potaka attended the launch event for Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira’s Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency at Hongoeka Marae in Plimmerton this morning.

Tags: Cause collective Census3 Hongoeka marae Kahurang National Plimmerton Rangitāmiro Tama potaka Tariana turia Tātou collective Te runanga o ngai tahu Te rūnanga o toa rangatira Te tauraki Wau ora Whānau ora commissioning agency Whau ora Zealand

New Digital Platform Te Puna Revolutionizes Breast Cancer Screening in New Zealand, Benefit for 135,000 Women

6 days ago | 309 views

Around 135,000 women across New Zealand who are eligible but not currently enrolled for breast cancer screening will benefit from the successful national rollout of a new digital platform, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “The launch of Te Puna across the country is a major step forward for delivering faster and smarter screening services,” Mr Brown says. “Te Puna replaces an outdated legacy system with a modern, streamlined platform that makes it easier for women to enrol, book, and manage their breast screening appointments – helping more women get screened earlier.

Tags: New zealand Simeon brown Te puna

New Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre Construction Begins in Lower Hutt: Transforming Mental Health Services in Wellington Region

1 week ago | 318 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey have today marked the beginning of construction on the new Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre in Lower Hutt. Joined by Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, the Ministers took part in a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of a project that will transform mental health services across the Wellington region. “Today, I’m proud to announce the Government is investing $38 million in the construction of this world-class facility – alongside an extraordinary $50 million donation from Sir Mark Dunajtschik, who also generously donated $50 million towards the new Wellington Children’s Hospital in 2017,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: Chris bishop Health centre Hutt south Lower hutt Mark dunajtschi Mark dunajtschik Matt doocey New zealand Simeon brown Wellington Wellington children ’ s hospital Zealand

New Prescribing Changes for ADHD Treatment in New Zealand: Minister Doocey Welcomes Faster Access to Care

1 week ago | 311 views

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed prescribing changes that will enable GPs and nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). “I applaud Pharmac and Medsafe’s decision to widen prescribing rules for ADHD medicines from next February, this decision will give New Zealanders faster access to assessments and treatment,” Mr Doocey says. “This is a common-sense change that will make a meaningful difference in many lives of New Zealanders.

Tags: Matt doocey Mental health Ministry of health New zealand Pharmac and medsafe

New Zealand's Historic Funding Boost for General Practices: Improving Access to Quality Healthcare

1 week ago | 323 views

General practices are set to benefit from the largest funding boost in New Zealand’s history – because frontline care starts with your local GP, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This Government is focused on real results. When you are able to see your doctor or nurse earlier, you stay healthier and out of hospital.

Tags: Health new zealand New zealand Simeon brown

Strong interest in new programme for overseas-trained doctors

2 weeks ago | 218 views

A total of 180 overseas-trained doctors have expressed interest in a new Government-funded training programme aimed at boosting New Zealand’s primary care workforce, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand needs more doctors – particularly in primary and rural healthcare care settings – and this Government is taking action to make that happen,” Mr Brown says. “That’s why we’ve launched a new two-year training programme to support up to 100 additional overseas-trained doctors across the country.

Tags: Health new zealand New zealand Simeon brown Waikato

New day stay unit at Starship Children’s Hospital will increase capacity

2 weeks ago | 224 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown today officially opened the new Athlae Lyon Day Stay Unit at Starship Children’s Hospital, marking a major milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of New Zealand’s largest children’s hospital. “Starship plays a critical role in caring for our most vulnerable children, not just from Auckland but from right across New Zealand. It provides lifesaving care and specialist services that families depend on during some of the most challenging times they will face,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: “ starship Athlae lyon day stay unit Auckland New zealand Simeon brown Starship children ’ s hospital