Articles tagged with Patients
Revolutionizing Healthcare: AI Scribe Tool Enhances Doctor-Patient Interactions Nationwide
1 week ago | 88 viewsHealth 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister AI scribe tool doctors frontline staff patients technology clinical notes New Zealand Health New ZealandEnhanced Dialysis Services for West Auckland & North Shore
1 week ago | 83 viewsHealth 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.
Tags: Dialysis patients West Auckland North Shore treatment machines evening services Waitākere Simeon Brown health ministerSouth Island Health Improvements: Faster Access to Care and Timely Treatments
1 month ago | 181 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights improved healthcare access in the South Island, with a focus on patient-centered care and meeting 2030 targets. Key improvements include faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunization rates, and reduced emergency department wait times. Despite progress, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, supported by increased health funding and a commitment to patient-focused care.
Tags: Canterbury Otago Southland Nelson Marlborough West Coast Simeon Brown healthcare patients South Island quarterly resultsImproving Healthcare Access and Wait Times in Central NZ: Quarterly Progress Update
1 month ago | 203 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights improved healthcare performance in the Central region, emphasizing patient-centered care and access to timely treatment. Quarterly results show progress towards 2030 targets, with notable improvements in cancer treatment, childhood immunizations, and shorter emergency department stays. Despite achievements, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, aiming to provide faster care and better outcomes for patients.
Tags: Wellington Manawatū Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa Simeon Brown healthcare patients treatment health target Central regionMidland Region Health Targets Hit Milestone: Faster Treatment & Shorter Waits in Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Waikato,
1 month ago | 137 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown notes improved healthcare performance in the Midland region, with focus on prioritizing patient care and achieving timely, quality services. Key improvements in the region include faster cancer treatment, increased childhood immunizations, and shorter stays in emergency departments. Despite progress, efforts continue to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and specialist assessments, supported by a significant government investment in healthcare to drive better outcomes and accountability.
Tags: Gisborne Bay of Plenty Waikato Lakes Taranaki Simeon Brown healthcare patients Midland region elective proceduresHealth Minister Simeon Brown: Faster Access to Care for Northland and Auckland Patients
1 month ago | 181 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights improved healthcare access in Northland and Auckland, with quarterly results showing progress towards 2030 targets. Key improvements include faster cancer treatment, increased childhood immunizations, and shorter stays in emergency departments. Efforts to reduce waitlists for elective procedures and FSAs are also underway, with a record investment in health supporting these initiatives.
Tags: Simeon Brown Northland Auckland Health Minister healthcare patients Northern region Waitematā Aucklanders NorthlandersHealth Minister Simeon Brown Highlights Improved Healthcare Access in New Zealand
1 month ago | 174 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights improvements in healthcare across New Zealand, emphasizing shorter waits and faster treatment for patients. Key achievements include faster cancer treatment, increased childhood immunizations, and shorter stays in emergency departments. The government's initiatives, such as the Elective Boost program, have led to more patients receiving timely care, but efforts to further reduce wait times and improve access to care continue.
Tags: Simeon Brown patients healthcare New Zealand Health Minister treatment access quarterly results improvements elective treatmentTransforming Prostate Cancer Care in Lower South Island: Advanced Practitioner Leads Innovative Approach
1 month ago | 175 viewsNew Zealand's first Advanced Practitioner Radiation Therapist specializing in prostate cancer is revolutionizing care in the lower South Island, providing faster access to treatment, personalized support, and improved outcomes for men. The role allows for consistent patient support throughout the treatment journey and enables specialists to see more patients in need of care. The new approach is already demonstrating tangible benefits for patients and clinicians, with plans to extend the model to a wider range of urological conditions in the future to improve patient experience and ensure timely, quality healthcare.
Tags: Simeon Brown Prostate cancer Advanced Practitioner Radiation Therapist Health Minister New Zealand Treatment Care Patients CliniciansChristchurch Hospital's State-of-the-Art Cardiac Lab Upgrade Enhances Care in South Island
1 month ago | 202 viewsThe upgrade of Christchurch Hospital’s cardiac catheterisation laboratory is now complete, with three state-of-the-art labs providing advanced cardiac care services for the South Island. The new facilities offer improved technology, increased capacity, and enhanced resilience, ensuring faster access to treatment and better outcomes for patients across the region. This upgrade establishes Christchurch Hospital as a leading center of excellence in cardiac intervention, delivering cutting-edge care and safeguarding the heart health of New Zealanders in the South Island.
Tags: Christchurch Hospital cardiac care Simeon Brown electrophysiology James Meager heart intervention South Island healthcare technology patientsASMS Union Decision Leads to 13,000 Patients Affected by Strike Action
1 month ago | 212 viewsThe ASMS union's decision to continue strike action will impact over 13,000 patients despite an updated offer from Health New Zealand costing over $160 million for 5,500 senior doctors. Health New Zealand estimates that the strike will delay care for 13,000 patients, affecting elective procedures, specialist assessments, follow-up appointments, and outpatient procedures. The union's refusal of binding arbitration is criticized for prioritizing politics over patient care, with senior doctors being well-compensated and receiving generous benefits.
Tags: ASMS union Health New Zealand patients strike action senior doctors negotiations care public servants dispute arbitrationInnovative Nurse-Led Cystoscopy Service Improving Bladder Cancer Care at Dunedin Hospital
1 month ago | 202 viewsA new nurse-led cystoscopy service at Dunedin Hospital is ensuring timely follow-up care for bladder cancer patients, with 290 patients seen since its launch in November 2024. This service, led by two skilled nurses, has successfully kept all 150 patients on the surveillance programme on track with their cystoscopies, completing 10 to 15 follow-ups weekly. The initiative not only improves patient access to care but also optimizes workforce utilization, allowing specialists to focus on more complex procedures and contributing to achieving faster cancer treatment targets.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister cystoscopy bladder cancer patients surveillance procedures specialist doctors innovation cancer treatment target nurse practitionersWhanganui Hospital Dental Unit Gets Modern Upgrade for Better Patient Care
1 month ago | 257 viewsWhanganui Hospital's dental unit has been modernized and upgraded to provide a brighter, more accessible space for patients, with improvements including an enlarged waiting room and dedicated areas for IV sedation. The refurbishment aimed to enhance patient flow, safety, and accessibility, with improved wheelchair access and a new recovery space for sedation patients. The upgraded unit now features modernized dental rooms with new equipment to enable efficient and safe care delivery, reflecting the government's commitment to providing fit-for-purpose health facilities that meet community needs.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister patients dental unit refurbishment oral healthcare IV sedation wheelchair users modernised careRevolutionizing Health Workforce Regulation for Faster Patient Access
1 month ago | 232 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announces changes to modernize health workforce regulation to improve patient access to care by reducing bureaucratic red tape and recognizing overseas qualifications more quickly. The changes aim to streamline regulation, increase accountability, and align New Zealand with Australia to speed up access to care and support new healthcare delivery models while maintaining patient safety. Patients will have a voice in ensuring regulators work towards improving access to care, and the changes will help attract, train, and retain the healthcare workforce needed to deliver timely, quality care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister patients care regulation workforce access professionals New Zealand AustraliaGovernment Exceeds Elective Boost Target: 16,005 Procedures Delivered, Wait Times Reduced
1 month ago | 221 viewsThe Government has surpassed its initial Elective Boost target by delivering over 16,000 additional procedures, reducing patient wait times, as stated by Health Minister Simeon Brown. The procedures included hip, knee, and cataract surgeries, benefiting people of various ages and backgrounds across different regions of New Zealand. This achievement is part of the Government's plan to decrease elective treatment wait times, aiming to treat 95% of patients within four months by 2030, with ongoing efforts to further enhance healthcare accessibility.
Tags: Government Elective Boost Health Minister Simeon Brown procedures surgeries patients wait times Kiwis elective treatment New ZealandersSignificant Drop in Auckland Cardiology Waitlist Eases Patient Access to Specialist Care
1 month ago | 302 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown notes a 25% decrease in the cardiology first specialist assessment (FSA) waitlist in Auckland since November 2023, with patient numbers dropping from 3,829 to 2,847 between November 2023 and March 2025. The reduction in wait times has been significant, especially for those waiting over four months, with a 73% decrease from 663 to 179. Progress has been made across all three Auckland districts, reflecting efforts to expand clinic capacity, improve systems for reminders and follow-ups, and streamline scheduling to reduce delays in booking appointments. The goal is to ensure that 95% of patients are seen within four months by 2030, with ongoing efforts to further reduce wait times and improve access to timely specialist care.
Tags: Auckland cardiologist Health Minister Simeon Brown cardiology FSA heart disease New Zealand patients waitlist clinical teams