Articles tagged with Health Minister
Morag McDowell Reappointed as Health and Disability Commissioner for Two Years
17 hours ago | 62 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has announced the reappointment of Ms Morag McDowell as Health and Disability Commissioner for a two-year term starting 7 March 2026. Ms McDowell brings extensive legal expertise and health sector experience, which will help the organization deliver fair and effective services. The Government aims to keep patients central to the health system and improve healthcare quality for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Morag McDowell Health Minister Health and Disability Commissioner New Zealand Government healthcare patients legal expertise health sectorWairarapa Hospital Upgrades Diagnostic Care with New $2.46M CT Scanner
1 day ago | 55 viewsWairarapa Hospital has introduced a new $2.46 million CT scanner to enhance diagnostic services, providing faster, more reliable imaging and improving patient access. The upgrade will increase output by around five percent, supporting quicker diagnoses, stronger cancer pathways, and better regional care coordination. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment strengthens frontline infrastructure, ensuring quality, modern healthcare for regional communities now and in the future.
Tags: CT scanner Wairarapa Hospital diagnostic services Health Minister Simeon Brown imaging technology healthcare investment regional healthcare patient care cancer pathways medical infrastructureGovernment Boosts Funding for Smokefree Youth Music Programs to Promote Health
3 days ago | 75 viewsThe Government is increasing funding to $550,000 per year for the next three years to support Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats, youth music programs promoting smokefree and vapefree lifestyles. These events have been instrumental in encouraging creativity and wellbeing among young people for 36 years, contributing to a significant decline in smoking and vaping rates among youth. The 2025 editions achieved record participation and audience engagement, highlighting their effectiveness in reaching and influencing young people.
Tags: Casey Costello Smokefreerockquest Smokefree Tangata Beats Health NZ Associate Health Minister youth music programmes smokefree lifestyle vapefree lifestyle quit smoking campaigns government investmentNew Collective Agreements Boost Salaries and Support for NZ Public Health Nurses
3 days ago | 78 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Public Service Association Public Health Nurses Mental Health Nurses Health New Zealand Nurse Practitioners APEX pharmacy APEX psychologists APEX dietitiansThousands of Kiwis Access Online GP Care Over Holidays for Timely Health Support
1 week ago | 161 viewsThe Government’s new Online GP Care service enabled around 11,000 New Zealanders to access timely medical consultations during the holiday period, with over 60,600 consultations delivered since its May 2025 launch. The service addresses barriers such as rural location and appointment availability, reaching diverse communities and offering a new feature to compare and book the earliest appointments across providers. Health New Zealand plans to expand the service’s use in targeted healthcare settings, aiming to create a more accessible and patient-centered health system.
Tags: Simeon Brown Online GP Care Health Minister New Zealand Health New Zealand Māori Pacific Peoples Asian communities Next Available Appointment GovernmentHealth Minister Welcomes New Pay Deal for 12,300 Health NZ Workers
1 week ago | 102 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 12,300 Allied, Public Health, Scientific, and Technical workers represented by the Public Service Association. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump sum payment, a new pay scale for Sterile Sciences Technicians, and a $400,000 professional development fund. This settlement follows recent approvals for other health sector agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in workforce negotiations.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Allied Health Public Health Scientific Technicians Public Service Association Health New Zealand APEX Pharmacy APEX Psychologists Sterile Sciences TechniciansRecord 235 Nurses Receive Scholarships for Advanced Primary Care Education in 2024
1 week ago | 97 viewsA record 235 primary care registered nurses in New Zealand will begin advanced education this year through the Government’s Registered Nurse Primary Care Scholarships, nearly doubling the initially planned number. These nurses will pursue qualifications enabling them to become registered nurse prescribers, expanding their ability to prescribe a wider range of medicines and improve patient access to care. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare delivery by reducing pressure on GPs and hospitals, fostering a more sustainable system, and supporting the development of future nurse practitioners.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister registered nurses primary care Nurse Primary Care Scholarships postgraduate diploma Master of Nursing nurse prescribers nurse practitioners New ZealandSeven Funded Mental Health Initiatives Boost Support for NZ Communities
2 weeks ago | 145 viewsSeven grassroots mental health initiatives supporting diverse and underserved communities in New Zealand have received funding to provide early, practical wellbeing support before crises develop. These projects focus on tailored approaches such as family wellbeing, empowering women, cultural connection, and accessible movement, targeting Māori, Pasifika, rainbow, rural, and disability groups. The funding is part of the Mental Health Foundation’s Top Up community grants scheme, which complements the national campaign promoting the Five Ways to Wellbeing for improved mental health.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Tupu Oranga Ngātahi Mauri Tū Mauri Ora Moving with Mauri TOI WāHine WELLfed Pēpē Māmā Te Ara o te Hue Fa‘atauanau Mental Health FoundationNew Collective Agreement Boosts Support and Stability for NZ Pharmacists
2 weeks ago | 169 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for about 300 pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement recognizes pharmacists' valuable work, offers workforce stability, and includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements. This initiative aims to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce to ensure timely, quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand pharmacists Association of Professionals & Executive Employees APEX collective agreement pharmacy workforce New Zealand professional membership contributionsNew Collective Agreement Boosts Support and Stability for NZ Pharmacists
2 weeks ago | 160 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, benefiting approximately 300 pharmacists nationwide. The agreement recognizes their valuable work, provides greater workforce stability, and supports their essential role in health service delivery. It also includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements, aiming to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand pharmacists Association of Professionals & Executive Employees APEX collective agreement pharmacy workforce New Zealand professional membership contributionsValentine’s Day Reminder: Prioritize Heart Health for a Longer, Healthier Life
2 weeks ago | 162 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown urges New Zealanders to use Valentine’s Day as a reminder to prioritize heart health for themselves and their loved ones, emphasizing that many heart disease and stroke risks are preventable through small lifestyle changes. He encourages people to assess their personal risk via conversations with healthcare providers or the Heart Foundation’s free online assessment, and highlights the importance of regular physical activity and quitting smoking, with support available. The government is committed to prevention, early diagnosis, and faster treatment to help New Zealanders maintain heart health and enjoy more time with those they care about.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Valentine’s Day heart health Heart Foundation Health Minister stroke heart disease smoking cessation Health New ZealandAI to Enhance Breast Screening and Early Detection for Women in New Zealand
3 weeks ago | 197 viewsHealth New Zealand is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance breast screening services, aiming to support radiologists, reduce workload, and improve early detection for women. This initiative involves consulting experts and assessing international AI applications to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered screening while maintaining clinical oversight. The effort builds on recent program improvements and seeks to future-proof breast screening, ensuring timely access and better outcomes for New Zealand women.
Tags: Artificial Intelligence AI BreastScreen Aotearoa breast screening breast cancer Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealand radiologists medical imaging early detectionPalmerston North Hospital Emergency Dept Expands with $14.5M Upgrade
3 weeks ago | 195 viewsConstruction is underway to expand and upgrade Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department with a $14.455 million investment aimed at increasing capacity by 40 percent and improving patient flow, safety, and privacy. This project is part of the Government’s $100 million hospital infrastructure programme funded through Budget 2025, which supports 21 local projects nationwide to enhance clinical spaces and infrastructure. The emergency department, a key regional hub, will remain operational during redevelopment, expected to finish by June 2026, ensuring continuous patient care amid growing demand.
Tags: Palmerston North Hospital Simeon Brown emergency department Health Minister hospital redevelopment Budget 2025 MidCentral district Whanganui Hospital Dannevirke Community Hospital Horowhenua Health CentreSouthland Hospital Opens New Dialysis Unit to Improve Local Patient Care
3 weeks ago | 179 viewsSouthland Hospital has opened a new dialysis unit with five haemodialysis spaces and a dedicated area for peritoneal dialysis training, improving access to treatment for patients in Invercargill and the wider Southland region. Previously, patients had to travel long distances to Dunedin for dialysis, but the new facility allows more local care, reducing stress and supporting better health outcomes. The unit will also support home haemodialysis training, increasing patient independence and flexibility in managing their treatment.
Tags: Southland dialysis Invercargill Health Minister Simeon Brown Southland Hospital renal care haemodialysis peritoneal dialysis DunedinMidwives Now Offer Expanded Funded Immunisations for Families and Babies
1 month ago | 235 viewsMidwives in New Zealand can now provide a broader range of funded immunisations to mothers, babies, and eligible family members up to 12 months old, enhancing protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. This expansion builds on previous progress allowing midwives to deliver antenatal vaccines and aims to improve timely access by integrating immunisations into routine maternity care. Health authorities and professional organizations are collaborating to implement this initiative, especially important during outbreaks like measles and pertussis to protect vulnerable infants.
Tags: midwives immunisations pregnancy Simeon Brown Health Minister newborns vaccination Health New Zealand Ministry of Health New Zealand College of Midwives