Articles tagged with Simeon Brown

Stratford Community Benefits from Advanced Digital X-Ray System in Health Centre

3 hours ago | 26 views

A new digital X-ray system has been installed at the Stratford Health Centre in Taranaki, improving access to diagnostic services for the community and eliminating the need for patients to travel to Taranaki Base Hospital. The system offers faster image processing, greater accuracy, and advanced automatic positioning technology, enhancing the quality and efficiency of radiology services for patients in Stratford. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative to strengthen local health services in Taranaki, with further expansion of radiology capabilities planned for the New East Wing Building at Taranaki Base Hospital in 2026.

Tags: Stratford Taranaki Simeon Brown radiology imaging services Health Minister diagnostic services New East Wing Building healthcare

New State-of-the-Art Heart and Lung Bypass Machines Enhance Cardiothoracic Care at Auckland City Hospital

2 days ago | 57 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.

Tags: Cardiothoracic patients New Zealand heart lung bypass machines Auckland City Hospital Health Minister Simeon Brown surgery perfusionists

Taranaki Cancer Centre: World-Class Care Closer to Home

3 days ago | 48 views

The Taranaki Cancer Centre, recently opened, provides world-class cancer care close to home for patients in the region, featuring a Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy. This technology allows for precise treatment targeting, improving outcomes and patient comfort. The facility also offers increased access to chemotherapy, enhancing medication availability and treatment scheduling, in addition to various amenities to support patients and families throughout their care journey.

Tags: Taranaki Cancer Centre Health Minister Simeon Brown Linear Accelerator radiation therapy chemotherapy cancer care modern facility healthcare infrastructure New Zealanders

New Dialysis Unit in Blenheim Brings Care Closer to Home for Marlborough Residents

5 days ago | 76 views

A 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

Health Minister Announces New Primary Care Advisory Group Appointments

6 days ago | 94 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the new Primary Care Advisory Group, with Dr Bryan Betty as Chair and Dr Samantha Murton as Deputy Chair. Other appointed members include Penny Clark, Dr Jo Scott-Jones, Dr Steven Young, Dr Kate Baddock, Dr Stephanie Taylor, and Darryl Jhinku. The group aims to provide expert guidance to strengthen primary care, improve health outcomes, and expand its focus beyond general practice into other community healthcare settings, with terms of office starting on 3 November 2025.

Tags: Simeon Brown Bryan Betty Samantha Murton Penny Clark Steven Young Kate Baddock Stephanie Taylor Darryl Jhinku New Zealand

Measles Immunisation Week Urges New Zealanders to Protect their Families

1 week ago | 101 views

Health New Zealand is launching a nationwide Measles Immunisation Week to combat rising measles cases, urging all New Zealanders to check and protect their immunisation status. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the MMR vaccine, promote timely immunisation for all ages, and support health sector efforts to prevent measles spread. Free MMR immunisations are available for individuals aged 12 months and older, with additional clinics running throughout the week to facilitate vaccinations.

Tags: Health Minister Simeon Brown Associate Education Minister David Seymour Measles Immunisation Week MMR vaccine immunisation status nationwide campaign measles outbreak Aotearoa Immunisation Register vaccination community transmission

New Zealand Government's Fast-Tracked Hospital Wards Programme Boosts Capacity at 5 Busiest Hospitals in 2026

1 week ago | 84 views

Five busy hospitals in New Zealand, including Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington Regional, Nelson, and Hawke’s Bay, will receive a total of 140 new beds through the Government’s fast-tracked hospital wards programme by 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown announces. The wards will be constructed off-site and installed on hospital grounds to quickly boost capacity, improve patient flow, and support faster admissions and discharges. Each hospital's new ward will serve specific roles, such as expanding general medicine capacity, providing assessment and diagnostic services, supporting acute flow, enabling services relocation during seismic work, and streamlining care for short-stay surgical patients.

Tags: Simeon Brown Middlemore Hospital Waikato Hospital Wellington Regional Hospital Nelson Hospital Hawke’s Bay Hospital Health Minister hospital wards programme patient care emergency department

Te Kūiti Hospital Celebrates 100 Years: Rural Healthcare Milestone

1 week ago | 103 views

Te Kūiti Hospital celebrates its 100-year anniversary, highlighting the crucial role of rural hospitals in providing local healthcare, as emphasized by Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey. The hospital serves over 14,000 people, offering emergency care, specialist clinics, and allied health support, reducing the need for locals to travel long distances for healthcare. The government is investing in rural healthcare improvements, including $164 million to enhance urgent and after-hours care, with Te Kūiti Hospital being a prototype site for innovative trials shaping rural health services nationwide.

Tags: Te Kūiti Hospital Health Minister Simeon Brown Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey rural hospitals healthcare rural communities New Zealanders rural health services medical school rural New Zealanders

Free Blood Testing Expanded to Te Anau and Wānaka for Improved Rural Healthcare Access

1 week ago | 99 views

Free blood testing is being introduced for nearly 24,000 residents in Te Anau and Wānaka, addressing the lack of local blood collection centers in rural South Island communities. Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasize the importance of providing free blood tests to improve healthcare access and reduce inequities between rural and urban areas. The initiative aims to enable earlier diagnoses, eliminate travel and cost barriers, and ensure rural New Zealanders receive necessary care in their own communities, with support from local MPs and Health New Zealand's efforts for consistent free blood testing across the South Island.

Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Joseph Mooney Miles Anderson blood testing healthcare rural communities New Zealanders access cost barriers

Government's Comprehensive Aged Care Reform to Enhance Health Outcomes and Sustainability

1 week ago | 116 views

The Government, led by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and Health Minister Simeon Brown, has announced an integrated approach to reform the aged care system, establishing a Ministerial Advisory Group to recommend changes to the outdated funding model. The focus is on improving health outcomes for the aging population, creating a sustainable and cohesive system that allows for smooth transitions between different types of care. The expert Group will provide recommendations on the funding model, cost-sharing, and integration between aged care and health services, with the goal of implementing changes by 2027 to ensure all New Zealanders have access to the care they need as they age.

Tags: Government aged care system Ministerial Advisory Group funding model Casey Costello Simeon Brown New Zealand sustainable services health services bipartisan approach

Revolutionizing Healthcare: AI Scribe Tool Enhances Doctor-Patient Interactions Nationwide

1 week ago | 124 views

Health 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 Zealand

Enhanced Dialysis Services for West Auckland & North Shore

2 weeks ago | 113 views

Health 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 minister

Airways Corporation of New Zealand Announces New Leadership Appointments

2 weeks ago | 146 views

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown announced leadership changes at the Airways Corporation of New Zealand. Darin Cusack will become Chair effective October 31, 2025, succeeding Denise Church, with Danny Tuato’o appointed as Deputy Chair. Both Cusack and Tuato’o have been reappointed for extended terms, bringing valuable experience in aviation systems and safety, financial acumen, and risk management to help Airways navigate industry challenges.

Tags: Simeon Brown Darin Cusack Denise Church Danny Tuato'o Airways Corporation of New Zealand aviation sector leadership appointments air navigation services safety systems

Government Ministers Urge Unions to Call Off Unfair Strikes for the Sake of Students and Patients

2 weeks ago | 120 views

Public Service Minister Judith Collins criticizes the proposed strike as unfair, unproductive, and unnecessary, urging for its cancellation due to the negative impact on patients with canceled appointments, students missing school, and upcoming exams for NCEA-level students. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlights the government's efforts to increase salaries for teachers, emphasizing the rejection of the latest offer by the PPTA. Health Minister Simeon Brown discusses the rejected offer for senior doctors, highlighting their current remuneration and proposed salary increases, while also mentioning the proposed fund for addressing workforce shortages.

Tags: strike Public Service Minister Judith Collins Education Minister Erica Stanford negotiations unions Health Minister Simeon Brown Senior Doctors Registered Nurses industrial action

Government Regrets Planned Strike Impact on Patients, Students, and Families: Uncovering Unions' Political Motives

3 weeks ago | 145 views

The Government expresses regret over the impact of the planned strike by unions on patients, students, and families, noting the strike's apparent political motivation and disruption to education and healthcare services. The Government emphasizes its efforts to negotiate fair pay increases for teachers, doctors, and nurses, highlighting specific salary offers and benefits provided. Despite financial constraints and increased public debt, the Government seeks to resolve disputes through dialogue and urges unions to prioritize settlements over strikes to ensure the continuity of essential services.

Tags: strike unions Education Minister Erica Stanford Palestine NCEA exams Health Minister Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Association of Salaried Medical Specialists public sector employees public debt