Articles tagged with Specialists
New Zealand Boosts Specialist Paediatric Palliative Care for Seriously Ill Children
1 week ago | 134 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $15.5 million over four years to establish nationally consistent specialist paediatric palliative care teams across both islands, improving access to compassionate care for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families closer to home. These teams, including various healthcare specialists, will support and train local providers to deliver care in communities, reducing hospital stays and easing emotional, physical, and financial burdens. The new services will begin rolling out from mid-2027, with interim funding provided to existing services like Rei Kōtuku to maintain support during the transition.
Tags: Simeon Brown Rei Kōtuku Health Minister paediatric palliative care New Zealand Starship Children’s Hospital Health New Zealand clinical nurse specialists nurse practitioners clinical psychologistsHealth Minister Welcomes New Agreement for Senior Medical Officers in NZ
2 weeks ago | 134 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 5,500 senior doctors represented by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). He emphasized the critical role senior doctors play in the healthcare system and their contribution to achieving government health targets. The agreement follows similar approvals for other health sector groups and reflects constructive engagement between ASMS and Health New Zealand to ensure continued patient care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Association of Salaried Medical Specialists ASMS Senior Medical Officers Health Minister APEX pharmacy PSA Allied Public Health STONZ Resident Medical Officers Health New Zealand collective agreementDunedin Hospital’s New Surgical Assessment Unit Cuts Wait Times & Speeds Care
1 month ago | 371 viewsDunedin Hospital’s new $2.4 million Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) is now fully operational, providing faster assessment and earlier treatment for patients with acute surgical conditions, thereby reducing emergency department wait times. The SAU, staffed by experienced nurses and supported by surgical specialists, operates 24/7 and enables prompt interventions, improving patient flow by admitting directly to surgical wards or discharging with clear plans. Since its trial in December 2025, the unit has treated over 630 patients, demonstrating significant improvements in timely care and receiving positive feedback.
Tags: Simeon Brown Dunedin Hospital Otago Southland Surgical Assessment Unit SAU emergency department appendicitis Clinical Nurse Specialists surgical nursesThree New District Court Judges Appointed for Kaikohe, Manukau, and Napier
2 months ago | 428 viewsAttorney-General Judith Collins announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges—Rohan Cochrane, Lynn Hughes, and Derek Whitehead—who will assume their roles in March at Napier, Manukau, and Kaikohe Courts respectively. Each appointee brings extensive legal experience in family and criminal law, with significant involvement in child advocacy, legal aid, and professional committees. Their diverse backgrounds and community engagement highlight their qualifications to serve in the judiciary and support the legal system across New Zealand.
Tags: Judith Collins Rohan Cochrane Lynn Hughes Derek Whitehead Family Law Specialists Ltd New Zealand Law Society Public Defence Service Legal Aid Performance Review Committee Te Hau Awhiowhio Otangarei Trust Board Sentinel ChambersNorthlanders Gain Local Access to Key Vascular Surgery at Whangārei Hospital
3 months ago | 509 viewsNorthlanders can now access key vascular surgeries like renal fistula and varicose vein treatments at Whangārei Hospital, reducing the need to travel to Auckland. This new service builds on existing outpatient clinics and visiting specialist support, with monthly surgeries and dedicated clinical nurse specialists enhancing local care coordination. The initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to improving regional healthcare access and delivering more services closer to home.
Tags: Northlanders Whangārei Hospital vascular surgery renal fistula surgery varicose vein treatment Auckland Mr Brown nurse specialists regional health services New ZealandWhakatāne’s Resilience Café Receives Government Funding Boost for Extended Hours and Capacity
7 months ago | 707 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced additional funding for Whakatāne’s Resilience Café during the Rural Health Roadshow's final stop. The funding will extend the café's hours, increase staff capacity, and support the expansion of peer support services. This initiative is part of the government's plan to enhance mental health support, including the establishment of six new Crisis Recovery Cafes by June 2026.
Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey Whakatāne Resilience Café Government peer support specialists New Zealand crisis recovery cafes mental health plan Rural Health RoadshowGovernment Regrets Planned Strike Impact on Patients, Students, and Families: Uncovering Unions' Political Motives
7 months ago | 613 viewsThe 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 debtHealth Minister Urges Binding Arbitration to End Healthcare Dispute
8 months ago | 682 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has urged Health New Zealand and ASMS to swiftly engage in binding arbitration to settle their dispute, which stems from an expired collective agreement despite previous efforts like mediation and bargaining. The ongoing strike actions by ASMS have disrupted care for numerous patients, with a potential future strike threatening more disruptions. The Government emphasizes the importance of providing timely and quality healthcare to all New Zealanders, and both parties must confirm their acceptance of arbitration by Friday 4:00 PM.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Association of Salaried Medical Specialists arbitration collective agreement strike action patients healthcare New ZealandersHealth Minister Reports Significant Reduction in South Island Neurosurgery Wait Times
9 months ago | 1388 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights the significant reduction in neurosurgery wait times in the South Island, emphasizing the importance of timely access to specialist care for serious brain and spinal conditions. The number of patients waiting for neurosurgery has decreased by 22% and those waiting longer than four months has dropped by 45%, reflecting positive progress in patient care. The government's focus on reducing waitlists, investing in surgical teams, and ensuring timely specialist care demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister neurosurgery South Island patients waitlist healthcare surgery New Zealanders specialistsNew Mental Health Accreditation Pathway Opens Doors for 330 Counsellors in NZ Public Services
10 months ago | 1715 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announces the removal of a workforce barrier for over 330 experienced counsellors in publicly funded mental health services through a revised accreditation process with Health New Zealand and NZAC. The strengthened accreditation pathway aims to address workforce shortages and increase timely mental health support for New Zealanders. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce vacancies, utilize underutilized workforces, and improve access to mental health services.
Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand New Zealand Association of Counsellors workforce barriers mental health support workforce shortages Health NZ counselling primary mental health workforce peer support specialists