Articles tagged with Health New Zealand
New Collective Agreement Boosts Pay and Career Growth for NZ Psychologists
3 days ago | 92 viewsHealth Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey have welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 670 psychologists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement includes pay increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second year, along with expanded professional development opportunities and a new salary step for senior expertise. This agreement aims to provide greater workforce certainty and support psychologists in delivering quality mental health care to patients nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Health New Zealand psychologists APEX collective agreement mental health pay increases professional pathways workforce supportMidwives Now Offer Expanded Funded Immunisations for Families and Babies
6 days ago | 109 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 MidwivesMidwives Expand Funded Immunisations to Protect Mothers and Infants in NZ
6 days ago | 110 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 and aims to improve timely access to vaccinations by integrating them into routine maternity care, especially important during outbreaks like measles and pertussis. The initiative is a collaborative effort among Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, the Midwifery Council, the New Zealand College of Midwives, and the Immunisation Advisory Centre.
Tags: midwives immunisations pregnancy Simeon Brown Health Minister newborns vaccination Health New Zealand Ministry of Health New Zealand College of MidwivesHealth Services and Mental Health Support Mobilized for Storm-Affected Communities
1 week ago | 139 viewsHealth and Mental Health Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey report ongoing efforts to support storm-affected communities through coordinated health services, including a recovery team and targeted mental health support embedded in local emergency groups. Health New Zealand is collaborating with local authorities to manage environmental health risks and monitor vulnerable, isolated populations, while government agencies oversee essential infrastructure to maintain access to care. Despite the challenges, health services remain operational, with a strong commitment to providing care, addressing emerging risks, and supporting those grieving from the disaster.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Health New Zealand Mental Health Civil Defence Emergency Management District Psychosocial Coordinators National Public Health Service frontline staff health workers local iwiMental Health Workforce Grows 11% with Vacancies Halved in New Zealand
1 month ago | 368 viewsThe frontline mental health and addiction workforce in New Zealand has grown by over 11% under the current Government, resulting in significantly reduced vacancy rates across key professions such as social workers, nurses, and counsellors. This workforce expansion has improved access to mental health services, with more than 83% of people receiving primary support within one week and over 82% accessing specialist services within three weeks. The Government’s focused mental health workforce plan, implemented in response to previous challenges, is delivering faster support and aims to continue this positive momentum into 2026.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health New Zealand clinical psychology psychiatry social workers mental health nurses drug and alcohol counsellors Health Workforce Information ProgrammeHealth Minister Orders Review of ManageMyHealth Cybersecurity Breach in NZ
1 month ago | 369 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has commissioned the Ministry of Health to review the response to a ManageMyHealth cybersecurity breach involving patient information, aiming to assess causes, data protections, and recommend improvements. ManageMyHealth, a private patient portal used by some New Zealand general practices, holds sensitive medical data, prompting concerns about data security and the need for high protection standards. While the review will start by January 30, an Incident Management Team is actively coordinating the immediate response, with Health New Zealand confirming no impact on its systems and general practices continuing to operate.
Tags: Simeon Brown Ministry of Health ManageMyHealth Health New Zealand Government Chief Digital Officer National Cyber Security Centre General Practice New Zealand Incident Management Team Health MinisterNew 24/7 Urgent Care Services Expand Across New Zealand Before Christmas
2 months ago | 258 viewsNew Zealand is expanding urgent care services with new 24/7 and extended-hour clinics opening in Dunedin, Hutt Valley, and other regions, supported by a $164 million government investment to improve access and reduce emergency department visits. The initiative aims for 98% of New Zealanders to access urgent care within one hour, with additional improvements planned for rural areas, including trials in six remote locations and enhanced after-hours pharmacy and diagnostic services. Efforts also focus on affordability through capped co-payments and subsidies, alongside ongoing collaboration with local providers to tailor services to community needs.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey New Zealand Dunedin Hutt Valley Tauranga Invercargill Timaru Health New Zealand Counties ManukauHealth NZ to Employ 1800 Graduate Nurses, Boosting Workforce in 2025
2 months ago | 323 viewsHealth New Zealand plans to employ around 1800 graduate registered nurses in hospital-based roles this year, significantly strengthening the workforce and supporting timely, quality care. The government is also investing in primary care roles for graduates, offering funding incentives to rural and urban providers to expand opportunities. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that these initiatives provide structured support and professional development, contributing to a sustainable, resilient nursing workforce for the future.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand graduate nurses nursing graduates health system primary care workforce development nursing workforce New ZealandAuckland City Centre Action Plan Boosts Safety, Support, and Vibrancy for All
2 months ago | 274 viewsA new action plan led by Auckland’s government and council aims to make the city centre safe, welcoming, and vibrant by supporting vulnerable populations, increasing police presence, and improving public spaces and services. Key initiatives include adding social housing, outreach for rough sleepers, enhanced enforcement against criminal behavior, and regular maintenance of cleanliness and safety in public areas. The plan emphasizes collaboration among multiple agencies to boost confidence, economic activity, and community well-being as major projects and tourism increase in Auckland.
Tags: Simeon Brown Wayne Brown Auckland Ministry for Housing and Urban Development Ministry for Social Development Health New Zealand Auckland Council Minister of Justice City Rail Link New Zealand International Convention CentreNew Zealand Boosts Stem Cell Transplant Services with $27M Investment to Save Lives
2 months ago | 290 viewsHealth New Zealand will invest $27.1 million over three years to expand stem cell transplant services, addressing critical delays and increasing capacity by 27–38% to save more lives. This funding supports hiring 79 new staff, expanding hospital beds, upgrading infrastructure, and introducing a digital tool for better transplant scheduling nationwide. These efforts build on a prior $6.11 million boost and aim to provide timely, life-saving treatment for patients with blood cancers and related conditions across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Auckland City Hospital Wellington Regional Hospital Christchurch stem cell transplant allogeneic transplants blood cancers transplant capacity digital toolHealth Minister Simeon Brown Sets Priorities for Health NZ to Improve Patient Care
2 months ago | 279 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has presented Health New Zealand’s Annual Report and issued a Letter of Expectations emphasizing the need to devolve decision-making closer to frontline services while maintaining national planning and meeting government health priorities. The letter outlines key focuses such as strengthening primary care, growing the health workforce, improving infrastructure, and ensuring efficient, transparent operations with strong governance and accountability. Brown stresses the importance of reducing bureaucracy, improving recruitment, meeting health targets, and delivering timely, accessible care to achieve better patient outcomes.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Health Minister Health New Zealand Board Government priorities healthcare delivery health system frontline clinical roles health workforce health infrastructureNew Zealand’s 10-Year Digital Health Plan to Transform Patient Care and Access
2 months ago | 343 viewsNew Zealand is launching a 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan to modernize its healthcare system by replacing outdated, paper-based records with a single Electronic Medical Record system that enables seamless information flow between GPs, specialists, and hospitals. The plan focuses on improving patient outcomes, supporting clinicians, stabilizing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and enhancing data-driven decision-making through phased implementation and investments in technologies like remote monitoring, national radiology, and AI tools. To ensure success, the government has established the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health and initiatives like HealthX to accelerate digital transformation and deliver faster, safer, and more coordinated care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Health Minister HealthX Chief Executive AI Accelerate programme Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health Kiwis GovernmentWellington Hospital Gets $16.25M Hybrid Operating Theatre for Advanced Surgery
2 months ago | 297 viewsHealth 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown Wellington Regional Hospital Health New Zealand hybrid operating theatre surgical care advanced imaging technology trauma surgery vascular surgery interventional radiology healthcare infrastructureGovernment Targets Meth Epidemic with Seized Funds: A Nationwide Campaign Against Drug Use and Gang Profits
3 months ago | 390 viewsThe Government is using seized criminal money to fund a nationwide anti-methamphetamine campaign, aiming to reduce violent crime and support victims. Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee emphasizes the destructive impact of meth on families and communities, highlighting the importance of providing help for recovery. The campaign, led by Health New Zealand, is part of a broader effort to combat organized crime, with a focus on cutting off illegal profits and making communities safer.
Tags: Government criminals campaign methamphetamine gangs Nicole McKee Proceeds of Crime Fund Health New Zealand organised crimeNew Dialysis Unit in Blenheim Brings Care Closer to Home for Marlborough Residents
3 months ago | 370 viewsA 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.
Tags: Marlborough Nelson Blenheim Simeon Brown Health Minister Marlborough Primary Health Health New Zealand Care Foundation Marlborough Hospital Equipment Trust Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith