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New Zealand Boosts Air Ambulance Fleet with Seven Emergency Helicopters Investment
24 Oct 2025, 10:25 AM | 11 months ago | 1043 viewsThe Government of New Zealand is investing $12.6 million to replace ageing air ambulance helicopters with newer aircraft, with $7.3 million from Health New Zealand and $5.3 million from ACC. This investment aims to address the issue of New Zealand having the oldest helicopter fleet in the developed world by 2024. The new helicopters will enhance safety, reliability, weather response capabilities, maintenance efficiency, fuel efficiency, and operational performance, while also supporting standardization for improved maintenance and workforce efficiency.
Tags: Government emergency helicopters air ambulance fleet Casey Costello New Zealand Health New Zealand ACC aircraft safety maintenance.New Breast Screening Site Opens in Waikanae for Women on Kāpiti Coast
15 Oct 2025, 11:40 AM | 12 months ago | 1382 viewsA new fixed breast screening site has opened in Waikanae on the Kāpiti Coast, providing women with easier access to mammograms closer to home. The purpose-built facility offers a more comfortable and spacious environment than the previous mobile unit, with upgraded equipment and IT systems. Health Minister Simeon Brown and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg emphasize the importance of early detection through screening, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the effectiveness of mammograms in improving survival rates for women with breast cancer.
Tags: Simeon Brown Nicola Grigg Breast screening Kāpiti Coast Women Health Minister Women’s Minister Mammograms Breast cancer Screening.New Zealand Expands Free Breast Screening to Women Aged 70-74: Improving Early Detection and Saving Lives
15 Oct 2025, 11:16 AM | 12 months ago | 1633 viewsThe nationwide breast screening age extension is progressing, with women aged 70 and 74 now eligible for free screening, marking the first step in a four-year rollout to include women aged 71 to 73 in subsequent years. The initiative aims to provide around 130,000 more women with screening every two years, allowing for early detection of breast cancer and improved survival rates. The extension, part of the Government's 100-Day Plan, is supported by increased staffing, upgraded equipment, and a new digital platform to enhance accessibility and efficiency in breast screening services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Nicola Grigg Health Minister Women’s Minister Breast cancer New Zealand Mammograms Health New Zealand Screening Early detectionGovernment Decisions on Pharmacy Ownership and Medical Advertising in Upcoming Bill
14 Oct 2025, 10:48 AM | 12 months ago | 1222 viewsCabinet papers reveal upcoming Medical Products Bill changes including the removal of pharmacy ownership restrictions to enhance access to healthcare. The bill will introduce a supervisory pharmacist role and allow advertising of unapproved medicines under certain conditions. Modernizing advertising regulations will provide better access to medical product information while ensuring consumer safety.
Tags: Casey Costello Government decisions Pharmacy ownership Medical Products Bill Advertising of medicines Supervisory pharmacist Patient safety Pharmacy standards Consumer safety Medical conferencesNew Hospital Procurement Process Begins in Drury for South Auckland Health Precinct
10 Oct 2025, 6:38 PM | 12 months ago | 1217 viewsThe Health Minister announced the beginning of the procurement process to secure land in Drury for a new hospital in South Auckland, aiming to address the increasing demand and pressure on bed capacity in the region. The new hospital will provide much-needed beds, modern facilities, and expanded emergency services to serve the fast-growing community with significant health challenges. The investment in modern health facilities aligns with the government's goal of improving healthcare services and outcomes for New Zealanders.
Tags: hospital South Auckland procurement process Drury health precinct Health Minister Simeon Brown Health New Zealand infrastructure Auckland's growing population MiddlemorePeer Support Workers Enhance Mental Health Crisis Response in Auckland Hospitals
10 Oct 2025, 8:22 AM | 1 year ago | 1124 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey celebrates the inclusion of peer support workers in North Shore Hospital's Emergency Department, marking the completion of the service's implementation in all major Auckland hospitals. The initiative aims to provide timely and tailored support for individuals in mental distress, enhancing their experience in busy emergency settings. The positive impact of peer support specialists is recognized nationwide, leading to plans for expanding the service across the country to improve mental health outcomes and crisis responses.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister peer support workers North Shore Hospital Emergency Department Auckland hospitals mental distress peer support specialist mental health crisis New Zealand's first Minister for Mental HealthAsk Groov: NZ's AI Wellbeing Guide for Mental Health Support
10 Oct 2025, 8:11 AM | 1 year ago | 1286 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Sir John Kirwan launched Ask Groov, Health New Zealand’s endorsed AI wellbeing guide, to provide 24/7 mental health support. The tool aims to make support more accessible, practical, and personalized, aligning with the government's plan for faster access to mental health services and crisis response. Ask Groov offers safe, evidence-based guidance for managing mild to moderate mental health challenges, complementing professional care and ensuring users can escalate to human services if needed.
Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey Sir John Kirwan Ask Groov Health New Zealand AI wellbeing guide mental health support innovative tools mental health planMinister Celebrates Peer Support Workers in Dunedin Hospital to Enhance Mental Health Crisis Care
08 Oct 2025, 10:54 AM | 1 year ago | 1181 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey visited Dunedin Hospital to celebrate the addition of peer support workers in the Emergency Department, emphasizing the benefits of having individuals with lived experience to support those in mental health crisis. The service, already implemented in five other major hospitals, aims to provide individuals with a sense of connection, support, and improved access to ongoing care. The expansion of peer support services across New Zealand is part of the government's commitment to strengthening the mental health workforce and improving crisis response for individuals seeking help.
Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey peer support workers Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department Life Matters Suicide Trust mental health crisis peer support specialist community services mental health systemGovernment Launches Nurse Practitioner Training Scheme to Empower Nurses for Advanced Primary Care Roles
08 Oct 2025, 9:05 AM | 1 year ago | 1195 viewsOver 340 nurses have shown interest in the government's plan to support 120 registered nurses annually in becoming nurse practitioners in primary care, with applications now open, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. Nurse practitioners are skilled professionals who can assess, diagnose, treat patients, prescribe medications, manage chronic conditions, and provide preventive care, playing a crucial role in delivering quality care in primary and community settings. The Nurse Practitioner Training and Support Scheme (NPTSS) will assist nurses in completing their Master of Nursing qualification and transitioning into nurse practitioner roles, providing comprehensive support such as education costs, mentoring, and employer engagement to enhance the nursing workforce and patient outcomes in New Zealand.
Tags: nurse practitioners primary care Health Minister Simeon Brown Nurse Practitioner Training and Support Scheme nursing workforce advanced training registered nurses primary care advanced roles New Zealand.New Top Up Community Grants Launched for Local Mental Health Initiatives
07 Oct 2025, 8:19 AM | 1 year ago | 1333 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand Chief Executive Shaun Robinson have launched Top Up Community Grants to support local mental health initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week 2025. The grants aim to empower grassroots community organizations to host events and projects that promote mental well-being in their communities. With $250,000 available annually for the next two years, grant amounts range from $10,000 to $40,000 per initiative to facilitate community-led actions and improve mental health outcomes.
Tags: Matt Doocey Shaun Robinson Mental Health Awareness Week Mental Health Foundation Top Up Community Grants mental health initiatives mental health Minister for Mental Health New ZealandNew Zealand to Lower Bowel Screening Age to 58, Saving Lives and Preventing Cancer
04 Oct 2025, 1:48 PM | 1 year ago | 1322 viewsThe starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island, with the rest of the North Island to follow in March 2026, as part of the government's commitment to reducing bowel cancer deaths. This change will make thousands more people eligible for lifesaving testing, potentially preventing 771 bowel cancers and saving 566 lives over 25 years. The introduction of the FIT for Symptomatic pathway, along with increased colonoscopy capacity and investment in screening initiatives, aims to improve early detection, reduce wait times, and ultimately save lives.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister bowel screening New Zealand Australia colonoscopy FIT for Symptomatic cancer screening age Erasmus UniversitySignificant Reduction in Gynaecology Wait Times for Women in Counties Manukau
03 Oct 2025, 12:37 PM | 1 year ago | 1142 viewsWomen in Counties Manukau are now receiving specialist gynaecology care much sooner, with long waits for a first specialist assessment significantly reduced over the past year, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. The number of women waiting over four months for their first gynaecology appointment dropped from over 305 to just 30, marking a 90.2 percent reduction. Counties Manukau clinicians and healthcare teams have played a crucial role in reducing waitlists through strategies like running extra weekend clinics and maximizing available clinic sessions, resulting in a 35.6 percent reduction in the total gynaecology waitlist.
Tags: Simeon Brown Women Counties Manukau Gynaecology care Health Minister Waitlist reduction Clinicians Healthcare teams Timely care Health target.New Investment Boosts Physiotherapy Workforce for Faster Orthopaedic Care Access
01 Oct 2025, 11:17 AM | 1 year ago | 1133 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announces new investment in physiotherapy workforce to improve access and reduce wait times for orthopaedic care. The Musculoskeletal (MSK) orthopaedic pathway, launched in August 2024, has already completed over 7200 first specialist assessments and 9500 follow-up appointments. By expanding the Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist workforce and supporting postgraduate training, the initiative aims to increase assessment capacity, reduce unnecessary surgeries, and ensure 95% of patients receive timely care within four months.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister physiotherapy orthopaedic care New Zealanders Musculoskeletal (MSK) pathway Advanced Clinical Practice Physiotherapist Health New Zealand Auckland University of Technology University of OtagoNational Mental Health and Addiction Services Performance in Review: Positive Progress and Targets Exceeded
01 Oct 2025, 5:43 AM | 1 year ago | 1090 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey mental health addiction services Kiwis Whanganui district Central region South Island Southern district HNZ regional leaders Health NZMinisters Doocey and Patterson engage with Thames community to enhance rural healthcare access
01 Oct 2025, 5:41 AM | 1 year ago | 1250 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson are visiting Thames to engage with the local community and gather feedback on the implementation of the Rural Health Strategy. The main focus of the roadshows is to address concerns about healthcare access in rural and remote areas, with Budget 2025 allocating $164 million to enhance urgent and after-hours care nationwide, particularly in rural communities. The government is committed to strengthening rural healthcare, expanding the rural health workforce, and improving access to quality care for all New Zealanders, including those in rural communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mark Patterson Rural Health Healthcare Rural Communities Budget 2025 New Zealanders Mental Health Roadshows Rural Health Strategy