Articles tagged with Surgery

New Zealand Health Progress: Faster Cancer Care, Immunisations & Shorter Waits

1 week ago | 112 views

New Zealand has seen year-on-year improvements in healthcare access, including faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunisation rates, and shorter waits for surgeries and specialist assessments, despite a busy winter and union strikes. The government’s investments, such as a $604 million boost to Pharmac and the Elective Boost program, have contributed to these gains by delivering new medicines and additional procedures. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes ongoing efforts to ensure timely, quality care for all Kiwis, supported by increased funding and frontline staff.

Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac New Zealand healthcare workers cancer treatment childhood immunisations elective surgery emergency departments Elective Boost health targets

Wellington Hospital Gets $16.25M Hybrid Operating Theatre for Advanced Surgery

1 month ago | 174 views

Health 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 infrastructure

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

1 month ago | 192 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

Significant Drop in Waikato Waitlist for Heart and Lung Surgery: Health Minister

4 months ago | 536 views

The number of patients waiting for critical heart and lung surgery in Waikato has decreased by 70% since November 2023, with the waitlist dropping from 90 to 27 people. Health Minister Simeon Brown commends the progress, emphasizing the importance of timely access to healthcare for all Kiwis. The improvements are attributed to the dedication of frontline health workers in the region and the government's focus on reducing wait times for elective procedures to ensure quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.

Tags: Waikato patients heart surgery lung surgery Health Minister Simeon Brown treatment waitlist healthcare surgery delivery

Health Minister Reports Significant Reduction in South Island Neurosurgery Wait Times

4 months ago | 890 views

Health 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 specialists

Orthopaedic Surgery Waitlists Decline in Midland Region, Patients Getting Faster Care

4 months ago | 800 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown reports a 15% decrease in the orthopaedic surgery waitlist in the Midland region since November 2023, with the number of people waiting dropping from 3,125 to 2,668 between November 2023 and March 2025. The reduction in wait times has led to improved quality of life for patients, with fewer individuals waiting longer than four months. The government is investing in workforce expansion and surgical capacity to ensure 95% of patients receive treatment within four months by 2030, though there is acknowledgment that more progress is needed to further reduce wait times for orthopaedic patients in Midland.

Tags: orthopaedic surgery waitlist Simeon Brown hip knee issues treatment patients elective procedures health target progress