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Latest Health Headlines
Hanmer War Hospital Brought Back To Life
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 6:22 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The former Soldiers' Block in Hanmer Springs has been restored, and a new Culverden war memorial unveiled on Anzac Day. More >>
Physician Associate Regulation ‘A Watershed Moment’ For NZ Health Sector
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 12:35 pm | Gore Health
It’s so exciting that the sector is finally going to get to truly appreciate and embrace the skills PAs bring to the table. Gore Health CEO Dr Karl Metzler said he would love to see a PA training programme up and running in New Zealand within three ... More >>
Physician Associates Regulation To Boost Access To Quality Care Across Aotearoa
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 12:32 pm | NZPAS
This long-anticipated move marks a major step toward improving timely access to high quality healthcare. More >>
Work To Finally Begin On Long-Awaited Rangiora After-Hours
Friday, 25 April 2025, 4:06 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Work is set to begin on the promised North Canterbury after-hours medical centre, with a funding agreement confirmed between South Link Health and the Waimakariri District Council. More >>
Low Risk To Public Health Following Fire At South Taranaki Hotel
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 4:06 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand Medical Officer of Health Dr William Rainger says while testing of debris found asbestos in the building, there was a very low risk to public health. More >>
Public Submissions To The COVID-19 Inquiry Close On Sunday 27 April 2025 At Midnight
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 1:38 pm | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
By reviewing these decisions, the Inquiry will be able to provide recommendations to the Government on how Aotearoa New Zealand could better prepare for and manage any future pandemics. More >>
ANZMES Highlights Lessons From The COVID-19 Pandemic In Submission To Royal Commission
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 12:29 pm | ANZMES
ANZMES’s submission reflects a steadfast commitment to advocating for systemic reform and fostering collaboration with policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to build a resilient and equitable healthcare system. More >>
Aid Cuts Threaten The Lives Of 110,000 Children With Severe Malnutrition Reliant On Emergency Treatment
Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 2:01 pm | Save The Children
Globally, one in five deaths among children aged under 5 are attributed to severe acute malnutrition, making it one of the top threats to child survival. More >>
We Want To Hear From As Many People As Possible, Says COVID-19 Inquiry Chair
Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 8:31 am | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
The Inquiry’s public submissions portal has been open since 3 February 2025, and closes at midnight on 27 April 2025. Anyone who wants to make a submission can either fill in the on-line form at www.covid19inquiry.nz, or by calling 0800 500 306. More >>
Norwegian Healthcare Model May Be Key To Improving NZ’s Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates
Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 4:07 pm | GSK New Zealand
The new network, which is set to have its first meeting early this year, aims to tackle critical challenges in cancer care, including expanding workforce capacity to meet rising demand, creating sustainable and equitable care models and addressing ... More >>
Life X DNA Helps Kiwis Personalise Health Plans With At-Home Genetic Testing
Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 11:11 am | Life X DNA
Testing is performed via a non-invasive, saliva-based DNA kit delivered directly to the customer’s door. Once returned for analysis, users receive a detailed and confidential report highlighting key findings and actionable recommendations. More >>
New Zealanders Turn To Genetic Testing For Deeper Insight Into Heart Health And DNA Methylation
Monday, 21 April 2025, 11:08 am | Life X DNA
Life X DNA provides genetic testing for heart disease in the same home-based DNA test kit. This includes analysis of markers associated with cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, and heart rate variability. More >>
Australians Explore Epigenetics as Interest in Personalised DNA Health Testing Grows
Sunday, 20 April 2025, 1:20 pm | Life X DNA
As public awareness of preventative health strategies expands, services like those offered by Life X DNA are contributing to a broader interest in evidence-based, individualised health tools. More >>
Demand Rises For Cosmetic And Urgent Dental Services In Hawke’s Bay
Saturday, 19 April 2025, 2:21 pm | Golden Apple Dental
Golden Apple Dental continues to invest in modern treatment methods and patient-centred care, aiming to support both urgent dental needs and long-term oral health outcomes for communities throughout the Hawke’s Bay region. More >>
1 In 6 New Zealanders Is Disabled. Why Does So Much Health Research Still Exclude Them?
Friday, 18 April 2025, 6:18 pm | The Conversation
When people with lived experience contribute to the design and delivery of health care and research, it means services are used more and fairer outcomes achieved. More >>
Three Hato Hone St John Tutors Travel To Niue To Teach First Aid And Life-saving Skills
Friday, 18 April 2025, 3:06 pm | Hato Hone St John
HHStJ Senior First Aid Tutor Margaret Smith and two colleagues Sheree King and Glen ‘Ping’ Gould, have recently returned from teaching seven courses over four days in Niue’s capital Alofi. More >>
Medical Testing Company Awanui Loses Millions Amid 'Funding Gap', Staff To Strike Over Pay
Friday, 18 April 2025, 12:23 pm | RNZ
The result is the third straight year with no dividend payment to shareholders. More >>
PsychologyCare Highlights Depth-Oriented Therapeutic Approaches For Long-Term Mental Health Change
Friday, 18 April 2025, 12:13 pm | PsychologyCare
PsychologyCare’s clinicians tailor each treatment plan to the individual, with a focus on long-term change rather than short-term symptom management. More >>
Auckland Theatre Nurses Strike Over Unpaid Overtime Claim
Friday, 18 April 2025, 11:05 am | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
About 370 perioperative (which includes preoperative, theatre and postoperative) nurses working at Auckland City Hospital, Starship Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre will strike for two hours on 1 May. More >>
Paediatric Society Of New Zealand Launches New Network To Strengthen Child Health Services In Aotearoa
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 5:36 pm | Paediatric Society of NZ
This network gives us a chance to rethink care from a mokopuna-centric, whānau-focused, whānau-led perspective. We need to deliver services not just to whānau, but with them – in ways that reflect their needs, aspirations, and mana. More >>
‘Cultural Safety’ Must Not Trump Speech Rights And Qualified Care For Patients
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 5:34 pm | Free Speech Union
Practitioners face increasing overreach from regulators that threatens to undermine not only their individual liberties, but the important contribution dissent, debate, and the contest of ideas play in our healthcare sector. More >>
Give Physios Authority To Sign-off Return To Work, Saving Millions In ACC Claims
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 5:22 pm | EMA
EMA Manager of Employment Relations and Safety Paul Jarvie says returning to work is a fundamental part of injury recovery, but there simply aren’t enough GPs across New Zealand for the number of workers needing certification. More >>
Hīkoi For Health Declares Band-Aid Day On May 8th To Highlight Healthcare Crisis
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 3:38 pm | Hikoi for Health
The concept of Band-Aid Day serves as a poignant symbol of the government's approach to the ongoing healthcare crisis. More >>
Healthcare Crisis Drives Cross-Country Protest: Hīkoi For Health Set To Begin
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 3:36 pm | Hikoi for Health
The Hīkoi will journey from Kaitaia in Northland to Parliament, collecting healthcare stories and ideas for reform from communities along its route. More >>
Proposed Change To Asthma Inhaler Access Could Save Lives
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 2:09 pm | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
Under the plan, eligible patients would be able to collect a three-month supply in one pharmacy visit, instead of returning each month for a repeat. More >>
Pharmac Plans To Improve Access To Asthma Inhalers
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 11:21 am | PHARMAC
Pharmac is also proposing a change which would provide further support for New Zealanders moving onto these inhalers. More >>
Braemar Hospital Surges Ahead With Surgical Robot
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 10:18 am | Braemar Hospital
Braemar Hospital prides itself on being at the forefront of surgical firsts for the region and across New Zealand, to ensure its community has access to a wide range of safe, high-quality procedures. More >>
Government’s Public Consultation To Address Healthcare Crisis “Badly Flawed”
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 9:59 am | General Practice Owners Association
The Ministry describes its consultation paper Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation as “an opportunity to put patients at the centre, modernise and streamline the system, and improve efficiency”. More >>
Crucial Harm Reduction Service Continues To Increase Reach
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 9:36 am | NZ Drug Foundation
The Foundation’s drug checking service tested 3,213 samples at 141 clinics in 2024, representing a 23.5% increase in samples and a 44% increase in clinics compared to 2023 (2602 samples at 98 clinics). More >>
Healthcare Crisis Drives Cross-Country Protest: Hīkoi For Health Set To Begin
Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 4:41 pm | Hikoi for Health
The Hīkoi will journey from Kaitaia in Northland to Parliament, collecting healthcare stories and ideas for reform from communities along its route. This initiative arises from Colquhoun and Nahill's deep concerns about New Zealand’s failing health system. More >>
Health Infrastructure Plan Ushering In Privatisation Of The Health System
Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 4:13 pm | PSA
Privatisation will inevitably mean syphoning money off from providing health services for all to pay profits to private corporations. This will result in only those who can pay being able to access adequate health care and other vital services. More >>
EPA Calls For Information On Tattoo Inks
Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 7:19 am | Environmental Protection Authority
Recent research has shown that some of the ingredients in some tattoo inks, including certain types of pigments and chemicals, could cause adverse effects, such as allergic reactions or infections. More >>
Women Say Thank You, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 6:23 pm | Women's Rights Party
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the issue is about language being used by Health NZ and the Ministry of Health in policies and health information relating to women's health. It is not about how individuals are treated. More >>
Midwives Advocate For 'And-And' Approach To Pregnancy Language
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 6:04 pm | RNZ
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has directed Health NZ to say "women" instead of "pregnant people". More >>
Have Your Say On The Medicines Amendment Bill
Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 10:08 am | Health Committee
This bill proposes to improve access to medication. The Bill seeks to modernise the membership requirements for the Committee, which plays a role in providing access to medicines. More >>
Bringing The Smile Back To Taumarunui: Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board Calls For Urgent Action On Dental Equity
Monday, 14 April 2025, 3:22 pm | Te Tiratu
It offered a range of on-the-spot services that included cardiac/diabetes/cancer screening, an eye clinic, immunisations, gall bladder/hernia/haemorrhoid banding specialists, to skin lesion clinics. More >>
Patient Gets Pregnant After GP Fails To Insert Contraceptive
Monday, 14 April 2025, 3:14 pm | RNZ
The pregnancy was a 'huge shock', and the termination an 'extremely traumatic experience', the patient said. More >>
Startling Numbers In New Zealand's Biggest-Ever Study On Dementia
Monday, 14 April 2025, 2:41 pm | RNZ
After knocking on more than 20,000 doors, New Zealand researchers have found high numbers of people who have dementia, but not the diagnosis. More >>
NZ-CN Gut Health Forum: Revolutionising Digestive Health
Monday, 14 April 2025, 2:23 pm | Aroha Gut Health Trust
This pioneering forum, scheduled for 2 May 2025, will take place at the Wave Room – Te Iringa, WG308, WG Building, Auckland University of Technology, 74 Governor Fitzroy Place, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010. More >>
Free Vape Kits Won’t Deliver Smokefree 2025 Goal
Monday, 14 April 2025, 1:44 pm | Public Health Communication Centre
In the latest Public Health Communication Centre Briefing, researchers from the University of Otago assess the likely impact of the initiative, which offers free vape kits through 24 Te Whatu Ora-funded stop smoking services across the country. More >>
Minister Directs Health NZ To Revive Stalled Health Centre
Friday, 11 April 2025, 9:18 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
‘Very Encouraging’: Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton has welcomed the Health Minister’s push for progress on a rural health centre. More >>
Giving More Voice To Future Health Care Planning
Friday, 11 April 2025, 2:43 pm | WellSouth
WellSouth has created a funding stream for practices to claim for processing ACPs, alongside offering training and support via two dedicated WellSouth Shared Care Plan Coordinators. More >>
Nelson’s Hands-on Message To Te Whatu Ora Over Patient Safety
Friday, 11 April 2025, 1:02 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO delegate Amanda Field says the Government’s failure to adequately fund healthcare means management of Nelson Hospital is being forced to make difficult decisions that hurt both patients and staff. More >>
ProCare And Unitec Recognise Top Pacific Nurses
Friday, 11 April 2025, 12:58 pm | ProCare Health
ProCare in partnership with Unitec, is pleased to announce the winners of the Top Pacific Nurse award for the 2024 academic year - Katerina Alapae and Seluvaia Havea. More >>
13,000 People To Benefit From New Insulin Medicine
Friday, 11 April 2025, 11:17 am | PHARMAC
“Ryzodeg is a combination of a long-acting and a rapid-acting insulin. It helps manage blood sugar levels throughout the day." More >>
Nurses Call For Immediate Halt To Police Withdrawal
Friday, 11 April 2025, 9:45 am | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Phase Two of the changes come into effect on Monday (14 April) but police have delayed the starting date in all but five districts, saying other areas are not ready. The new phased roll out is the second time police have rescheduled the changes. More >>
Te Kōhao Health Signs Joint Venture Partnership Agreement & Brings Life-Saving Specialist Care Home To The Community
Friday, 11 April 2025, 7:54 am | Te Kohao Health
The announcement marks a significant shift away from hospital-centric healthcare, towards a community-led, whānau-first model at Te Kōhao’s Taakiri Tuu wellness and diagnostic centre designed to reduce inequities and save lives—starting with ... More >>
Poor Oral Health Linked With Body Pain And Migraines In Women
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 8:09 pm | University of Sydney
Published in Frontiers in Pain Research, the world-first study identified specific oral microbes correlated with certain pain conditions, suggesting a potential relationship between the oral microbiome and the nervous system. More >>
Empowering Patients And Making The Most Of Precious Clinical Time: Deep Brain Stimulation Explained
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 2:27 pm | Neurological Foundation
“When a Parkinson’s patient discusses DBS with their neurologist, there is a lot of new information to process and they might not remember everything they’re told,” says Dr Dayal. More >>
Unsafe Waters: The Hidden Campylobacter Infection Risk In Rural New Zealand
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 12:13 pm | Public Health Communication Centre
While urban residents in Aotearoa New Zealand enjoy safe, treated water, many rural communities depend on private sources such as wells, boreholes, and rainwater tanks. Some of these sources are untreated and unregulated. More >>
Pharmac To Fund Medicines For Blood Cancers, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Eczema And Arthritis
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 11:26 am | PHARMAC
Pharmac currently funds venetoclax for a different type of blood cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and funds upadacitinib for some people with rheumatoid arthritis. Azacitidine is currently funded for other types of blood cancer. More >>
South Island Patient Emails Are Not Spam - Health New Zealand
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 10:45 am | Health New Zealand
If you would like to receive your correspondence by email but we don’t have your email address on file, please let us know the next time you visit. Our reception or booking teams will be happy to update your contact details. More >>
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board Hosts Inaugural Forum With Health Providers To Strengthen Whānau Voices In Waikato
Thursday, 10 April 2025, 10:28 am | Te Tiratu
The hui is a vital step in realising the aspirations of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act, which mandates IMPBs to bring the voices of whānau directly into the heart of Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand planning and decision-making. More >>
Cuts To Fraud & Audit Jobs Mean Millions Of Health Dollars Overpaid Or Stolen Will Be Lost
Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 5:06 pm | PSA
By not detecting overpayments or cracking down on fraud, it means precious health dollars are not being used for their proper purpose of improving outcomes for patients no matter where they are in the health system. More >>
Kiwis Dig Deep For Kids With Cancer – Street Appeal Tops $330,000
Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 1:37 pm | Child Cancer Foundation
The result comes after thousands of volunteers took to the streets on 14th – 15th March, joined by 20 local mayors around the country who stepped up for the Foundation’s first-ever Miracle Maker Mayoral Challenge. More >>
DFAT And PMA Partner For Vanuatu Earthquake Recovery Support Program
Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 1:16 pm | Pasifika Medical Association Group
Through the Vanuatu Earthquake Recovery Support initiative, PMA will implement a range of interventions aimed at strengthening mental health services and fostering long-term community resilience. More >>
Parkinson’s New Zealand Is Raising Awareness This World Parkinson’s Day By Joining The Global Spark The Night Campaign
Tuesday, 8 April 2025, 3:00 pm | Parkinsons New Zealand
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s New Zealand says with no cure in sight Parkinson’s is rapidly becoming a growing health challenge both here in Aotearoa and overseas. More >>
Red Alert Needed For Brain-Damaging Pesticide In Food
Tuesday, 8 April 2025, 8:30 am | Safe Food Campaign
Chlorpyrifos, already banned in 44 countries, is classified as a persistent organic pollutant under the United Nations Stockholm Convention. It persists in the environment, builds up in the body, travels long distances, and has serious health effects — ... More >>
Advocates Call For Urgent Policy Change To Protect Hospitalised Kiwis From Financial Hardship
Monday, 7 April 2025, 3:32 pm | ANZMES
Petition Gains Momentum to End Benefit Cuts for Hospitalised Individuals, Highlighting the Story of Rhiannon Purves More >>
Fighting The GP Shortage - Manawatū GP Network Keeps Healthcare Local.
Monday, 7 April 2025, 3:21 pm | Local Health
The Feilding Health Care Group, which this week is relaunching as Local Health, Chief Executive Nicky Hart explains that when the network started in 2016, they could see a growing issue. More >>
