Health News & Articles
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Major Nelson Hospital Redevelopment: Enhancing Care for Growing Community
20 Sep 2025, 8:44 AM | 1 year ago | 1201 viewsEnabling works for the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment are underway, with preparations being made for major construction, according to Health Minister Simeon Brown. The project, part of a $1 billion investment in hospital infrastructure, aims to provide modern facilities to meet the needs of a growing population. The redevelopment will include increasing points of care by 44, adding a new inpatient building with 128 beds, and expanding the Emergency Department to support urgent care services.
Tags: Nelson Hospital Redevelopment Health Minister Simeon Brown hospital infrastructure modern facilities inpatient building temporary inpatient unit Emergency Department expansion acute care Energy Centre refurbishment.New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building Construction Contract Signed by Health Minister Simeon Brown with CPB Contractors Limited
19 Sep 2025, 11:08 AM | 1 year ago | 1367 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announced the signing of the contract with CPB Contractors Limited for the construction of Dunedin Hospital’s new inpatient building. The $1.88 billion New Dunedin Hospital program is New Zealand’s largest health infrastructure project, providing economic benefits and over 900 jobs during construction. The project, set to be completed by 2031, aims to deliver a safe, modern hospital that meets the region's needs, with CPB Contractors Limited overseeing the construction under close monitoring to ensure timely and within-budget completion.
Tags: Simeon Brown CPB Contractors Limited Dunedin Hospital Health Minister New Zealand Otago Southland Health New Zealand Cadbury site Crown ManagerASMS Union Decision Leads to 13,000 Patients Affected by Strike Action
18 Sep 2025, 3:48 PM | 1 year ago | 1178 viewsThe ASMS union's decision to continue strike action will impact over 13,000 patients despite an updated offer from Health New Zealand costing over $160 million for 5,500 senior doctors. Health New Zealand estimates that the strike will delay care for 13,000 patients, affecting elective procedures, specialist assessments, follow-up appointments, and outpatient procedures. The union's refusal of binding arbitration is criticized for prioritizing politics over patient care, with senior doctors being well-compensated and receiving generous benefits.
Tags: ASMS union Health New Zealand patients strike action senior doctors negotiations care public servants dispute arbitrationInnovative Nurse-Led Cystoscopy Service Improving Bladder Cancer Care at Dunedin Hospital
17 Sep 2025, 1:13 PM | 1 year ago | 1291 viewsA new nurse-led cystoscopy service at Dunedin Hospital is ensuring timely follow-up care for bladder cancer patients, with 290 patients seen since its launch in November 2024. This service, led by two skilled nurses, has successfully kept all 150 patients on the surveillance programme on track with their cystoscopies, completing 10 to 15 follow-ups weekly. The initiative not only improves patient access to care but also optimizes workforce utilization, allowing specialists to focus on more complex procedures and contributing to achieving faster cancer treatment targets.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister cystoscopy bladder cancer patients surveillance procedures specialist doctors innovation cancer treatment target nurse practitionersManaging Bird Flu: New Proposals to Safeguard Poultry and Food Supply in New Zealand
17 Sep 2025, 9:54 AM | 1 year ago | 1280 viewsNew proposals to manage high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 aim to reduce impacts on poultry in New Zealand if the virus arrives, with a focus on protecting livelihoods and food supply. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is leading preparedness efforts in collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders. Proposed regulations include requirements for biosecurity control programs, standards for poultry operators, audits, and penalties for non-compliance, with consultation open for six weeks to gather feedback on the potential impacts and costs for the industry.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister Ministry for Primary Industries HPAI H5N1 Bird flu poultry avian biosecurity control New Zealand consultation regulationsChristchurch Hospital Unveils $4.7M Ambulatory Care Hub for Seamless Patient Services
16 Sep 2025, 2:48 PM | 1 year ago | 1322 viewsThe refurbishment of Christchurch Hospital's Ambulatory Care Hub is complete, as announced by Health Minister Simeon Brown, marking a significant advancement in outpatient care in Canterbury. The hub, costing $4.7 million, consolidates six key outpatient services into one location, providing a coordinated and patient-friendly environment for services like medical and oncology day units, respiratory physiology, and neurophysiology. The integrated hub aims to streamline patient experiences, improve care efficiency, and support faster cancer treatment, demonstrating a commitment to patient-focused health infrastructure by ensuring accessible outpatient care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Christchurch Hospital Ambulatory Care Hub Simeon Brown outpatient care Canterbury Health Minister Waipapa building Parkside Block A Medical and Oncology Day Units Respiratory PhysiologyWhanganui Hospital Dental Unit Gets Modern Upgrade for Better Patient Care
13 Sep 2025, 10:13 AM | 1 year ago | 1328 viewsWhanganui Hospital's dental unit has been modernized and upgraded to provide a brighter, more accessible space for patients, with improvements including an enlarged waiting room and dedicated areas for IV sedation. The refurbishment aimed to enhance patient flow, safety, and accessibility, with improved wheelchair access and a new recovery space for sedation patients. The upgraded unit now features modernized dental rooms with new equipment to enable efficient and safe care delivery, reflecting the government's commitment to providing fit-for-purpose health facilities that meet community needs.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister patients dental unit refurbishment oral healthcare IV sedation wheelchair users modernised careRevolutionizing Health Workforce Regulation for Faster Patient Access
12 Sep 2025, 12:13 PM | 1 year ago | 1117 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announces changes to modernize health workforce regulation to improve patient access to care by reducing bureaucratic red tape and recognizing overseas qualifications more quickly. The changes aim to streamline regulation, increase accountability, and align New Zealand with Australia to speed up access to care and support new healthcare delivery models while maintaining patient safety. Patients will have a voice in ensuring regulators work towards improving access to care, and the changes will help attract, train, and retain the healthcare workforce needed to deliver timely, quality care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister patients care regulation workforce access professionals New Zealand AustraliaEmpowering Communities: Updates on Family Violence Prevention and Child Welfare Initiatives
12 Sep 2025, 9:46 AM | 1 year ago | 1242 viewsThe Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence and Minister for Children acknowledges key individuals and organizations in the field. Updates are shared on Te Aorerekura, the Oranga Tamariki Action Plan, and efforts to address trauma and prevent violence. The government is focused on improving multi-agency responses, workforce capability, and effective commissioning and investment processes to better support vulnerable children and families. Collaboration, communication, and social investment are emphasized to enhance service delivery and support community well-being.
Tags: Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Minister for Children Marama Davidson Emma Powell Benesia Smith Claire Achmad Te Aorerekura Oranga Tamariki National Strategy on Family Violence and Sexual Violence Social Investment FundNew Zealand's Push for Suicide Prevention: Construction Industry Wellbeing Survey Launch
10 Sep 2025, 9:27 AM | 1 year ago | 1266 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey participated in the launch of the Construction Industry Wellbeing Survey on World Suicide Prevention Day, emphasizing the importance of changing the narrative on suicide to reduce stigma and encourage seeking help. New Zealand faces high suicide rates, with 617 suspected suicides last year, leading to increased investment of $16 million per year in the new Suicide Prevention Action Plan, which includes various health and cross-agency actions to enhance access to support and prevention services. The government is committed to providing timely support for those at risk of suicide, promoting wellbeing campaigns, establishing crisis recovery cafes, and funding peer support workers in emergency departments to strengthen suicide prevention efforts in New Zealand.
Tags: Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey Suicide Prevention Construction Industry Wellbeing Survey New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan Suicide Rates SupportNew Zealand's 24/7 Digital Health Service: 21,000+ Consultations Delivered, Fast Access to Care
09 Sep 2025, 1:48 PM | 1 year ago | 1435 viewsThe Government's new 24/7 digital health service, launched in July, has provided over 21,000 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand. It is most commonly used when timely GP appointments are unavailable and has successfully treated 83.5% of patients without requiring an in-person GP follow-up. The service has made healthcare more accessible, especially for working-age adults and parents, reaching people in all communities and making a significant impact on daily lives by providing timely and quality care.
Tags: consultations digital health service Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealanders GP appointment emergency departments healthcare parents digital serviceNew Zealand Government Boosts FASD Support and Prevention Efforts
09 Sep 2025, 9:07 AM | 1 year ago | 1133 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey launched the Government's new approach to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), increasing funding and focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and support for affected families. The government raised the alcohol levy to $16.6 million annually, with $7.25 million allocated for targeted community-based assessment, prevention campaigns, support programs, workforce training, and increased resources for individuals with FASD. This initiative aims to address the long wait times for FASD support, improve understanding and recognition of FASD, and provide better assistance to families and individuals affected by the disorder.
Tags: Matt Doocey Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD New Zealand Government Alcohol Levy Nurture the Future Within Health AdvocacyGovernment Exceeds Elective Boost Target: 16,005 Procedures Delivered, Wait Times Reduced
08 Sep 2025, 5:00 AM | 1 year ago | 1205 viewsThe Government has surpassed its initial Elective Boost target by delivering over 16,000 additional procedures, reducing patient wait times, as stated by Health Minister Simeon Brown. The procedures included hip, knee, and cataract surgeries, benefiting people of various ages and backgrounds across different regions of New Zealand. This achievement is part of the Government's plan to decrease elective treatment wait times, aiming to treat 95% of patients within four months by 2030, with ongoing efforts to further enhance healthcare accessibility.
Tags: Government Elective Boost Health Minister Simeon Brown procedures surgeries patients wait times Kiwis elective treatment New ZealandersSignificant Drop in Auckland Cardiology Waitlist Eases Patient Access to Specialist Care
06 Sep 2025, 10:21 AM | 1 year ago | 1442 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown notes a 25% decrease in the cardiology first specialist assessment (FSA) waitlist in Auckland since November 2023, with patient numbers dropping from 3,829 to 2,847 between November 2023 and March 2025. The reduction in wait times has been significant, especially for those waiting over four months, with a 73% decrease from 663 to 179. Progress has been made across all three Auckland districts, reflecting efforts to expand clinic capacity, improve systems for reminders and follow-ups, and streamline scheduling to reduce delays in booking appointments. The goal is to ensure that 95% of patients are seen within four months by 2030, with ongoing efforts to further reduce wait times and improve access to timely specialist care.
Tags: Auckland cardiologist Health Minister Simeon Brown cardiology FSA heart disease New Zealand patients waitlist clinical teamsNew Zealand Launches Refreshed Eating Disorder Strategy with $4M Boost
03 Sep 2025, 1:53 PM | 1 year ago | 1314 viewsNew Zealand's Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey, launched a refreshed strategic approach to eating disorders, with a significant funding increase of over $4 million annually, totaling over $23 million. The strategy emphasizes a full continuum of care, including prevention, primary health care, early intervention, community services, and specialist and inpatient services. The funding package includes initiatives such as peer support, community-based support for families, capacity increase for specialist services, and expansion of prevention and early intervention support to better support those battling eating disorders.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand eating disorders mental health funding strategy support services community prevention