Articles tagged with Care
Waimarino Health Centre Expansion to Improve Rural Care in Ruapehu District
4 days ago | 112 viewsThe Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi is undergoing a $4.4 million expansion and refurbishment, more than doubling its size to improve access to public, primary, and community healthcare services for the Ruapehu district. This development, supported by local officials and aimed at enhancing rural healthcare, will consolidate services into a modern, fit-for-purpose facility. Construction began recently and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2027, marking a significant milestone for the community.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Suze Redmayne Carl Bates Ruapehu district Waimarino Health Centre Raetihi Ruapehu District Council rural healthcare New ZealandWaimarino Health Centre Expansion Boosts Rural Care Access in Ruapehu
4 days ago | 125 viewsThe Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi is undergoing a $4.4 million expansion and refurbishment, more than doubling its size to improve access to public, primary, and community health services for the Ruapehu district. This redevelopment, supported by local advocates and government ministers, aims to enhance rural healthcare by consolidating services in a modern facility. Construction began recently and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2027, marking a significant milestone for the community.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Suze Redmayne Carl Bates Ruapehu District Waimarino Health Centre Raetihi New Zealand Rural Healthcare Ruapehu District CouncilAuckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care
4 days ago | 113 viewsThe number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped from 2,200 to 743, significantly reducing wait times. This improvement is due to initiatives such as increased theatre capacity, better support for families, and a pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment as an alternative to general anaesthetic. These efforts have freed up hospital resources for more urgent cases and ensured faster access to dental care for children.
Tags: Matt Doocey Auckland dental treatment children surgical waitlist sedation healthcare oral health hospital capacity dental surgeryAuckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care
4 days ago | 95 viewsThe number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped by over 1,400, reaching its lowest level in years due to various initiatives like increased theatre capacity and better collaboration between hospital and community teams. A pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment has provided an alternative to general anaesthetic, helping 340 children receive faster care and reducing the surgical waitlist. These efforts have freed up hospital capacity for more urgent cases and improved timely access to dental treatment for children.
Tags: Matt Doocey Auckland dental treatment children surgical waitlist sedation oral health hospital capacity healthcare access dental surgeryNew 16-Bed Mental Health and Addiction Facility Opens at Rotorua Hospital
5 days ago | 131 viewsA new 16-bed acute mental health and addiction facility has opened at Rotorua Hospital, replacing the outdated 45-year-old unit and providing faster access to support for people in the Lakes district. The facility features individual bedrooms, therapy spaces, family areas, and quieter zones tailored to different needs, enhancing care for patients and working conditions for staff. This $50 million investment is part of a broader Mental Health Infrastructure Programme aimed at improving facilities nationwide and expanding support services to prevent the need for inpatient care.
Tags: Rotorua Hospital Mental Health Addiction Facility Matt Doocey Lakes District Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Unit Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue Mental Health Infrastructure Programme Inpatient Care New ZealandNew Zealand's Aged Care Reform: Expert Report Guides Future Policy and Funding
1 week ago | 163 viewsThe Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) has released an independent report with 40 recommendations to reform New Zealand’s aged care system, aiming for an integrated, sustainable, and fair model that better meets future needs. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the outdated funding model and the government’s commitment to carefully consider the report’s advice to improve policy and funding decisions. The government has already invested $446 million over the past three years to support the sector’s sustainability and operational improvements while further reforms are developed.
Tags: Ministerial Advisory Group aged care Casey Costello New Zealand Government Ministry of Health aged care reform funding model health services population agingNZ Government Reviews Ministerial Advisory Group Report to Reform Aged Care System
1 week ago | 159 viewsThe Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) has released an independent report with 40 recommendations to reform New Zealand's aged care system, addressing outdated funding models and aiming for an integrated, sustainable, and accessible system. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the government's commitment to carefully consider these recommendations to improve care quality, funding sustainability, and system navigation as the population ages. The government has already increased sector funding by $446 million over three years and directed the Ministry of Health to develop advice supporting future policy and funding decisions.
Tags: Ministerial Advisory Group Casey Costello aged care New Zealand Government Ministry of Health funding model aged care reform health services population agingNew Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline Grows by $15B to $290B in Latest Update
1 week ago | 203 viewsThe New Zealand Infrastructure Commission's latest update reveals the National Infrastructure Pipeline's value has risen by $15 billion to $290 billion, with fully funded projects increasing by $4.5 billion to $95.8 billion. The pipeline includes nearly 12,500 projects across sectors like healthcare, roads, water, and schools, reflecting sustained momentum and improved planning that supports economic growth and job creation. Additionally, $17.5 billion in initiatives are progressing through planning to start construction within the next year, signaling ongoing investment and development nationwide.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline Infrastructure Minister healthcare projects construction sector economic growth infrastructure funding government projects infrastructure planningNew Urgent After-Hours Care Opens in Rolleston Easing Christchurch ED Pressure
2 weeks ago | 187 viewsA new urgent and after-hours service will open at Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub this Saturday to provide local urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions, reducing pressure on Christchurch Hospital's emergency department. The service operates evenings, weekends, and public holidays, improving access for the rapidly growing Rolleston and Selwyn district. This initiative is part of the Government’s $164 million Budget 2025 investment to expand urgent care nationwide, aiming to ensure 98% of New Zealanders can reach urgent care within an hour.
Tags: Simeon Brown Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub Christchurch Hospital Rolleston Selwyn district urgent care Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery Budget 2025 New Zealand healthcareNew Zealand Launches Industry-Led Secondary Subjects for Future Careers from 2029
2 weeks ago | 364 viewsNew Zealand is launching industry-led, future-focused secondary school subjects from 2029 to better align education with emerging job markets in sectors like manufacturing, energy, health, and tourism. These subjects, developed with industry input and valued equally to traditional subjects, aim to equip students with practical skills and clear pathways into trades, university, or employment, supported by a $15 million investment. The initiative fosters student engagement by connecting learning to real-world careers, benefiting both employers seeking skilled workers and students preparing for rewarding futures.
Tags: Nicola Willis Erica Stanford Applied Intelligent Systems Construction and Built Environment Energy and Infrastructure Engineering Technology Food and Fibre Systems Health Services and Care Hospitality Food and BeverageNew Zealand Invests $23M to Expand Skin Cancer Checks and Removal at Local GPs
3 weeks ago | 241 viewsNew Zealand is investing $23 million to shift skin cancer detection and treatment from hospitals to local GP clinics, starting with suspicious skin spot removal, to ensure earlier and more accessible care nationwide. This initiative includes upskilling GPs in dermoscopy and skin excision, aiming to create a consistent national approach and reduce hospital wait times by allowing specialists to focus on complex cases. The investment builds on previous primary care enhancements and reflects a broader strategy to deliver more healthcare services in the community, closer to patients' homes.
Tags: New Zealand Simeon Brown melanoma skin cancer GP clinics community healthcare dermoscopy skin excision hospital wait times primary careHon Paul Davison Appointed Independent Redress Officer Under Abuse in Care Act
3 weeks ago | 232 viewsHon Paul Davison KC KSO has been appointed as the Independent Redress Officer for a five-year term starting 1 August 2026, tasked with determining financial redress applications from survivors of abuse in State care who are serious offenders, as well as exemption applications from terminally ill survivors. Hon Davison, a former High Court judge with extensive legal experience, has previously served in significant inquiry roles and developed a compassionate redress framework for survivors of abuse at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the importance of this independent role and thanked Hon Davison for accepting the position.
Tags: Paul Davison Erica Stanford Independent Redress Officer Redress System for Abuse in Care Act High Court judge Royal Commission of Inquiry Oakley Hospital Inquiry Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit financial redress applicationsNew Zealand Invests $8.5M to Boost Rural Health Workforce and Emergency Care
3 weeks ago | 258 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing over $8.5 million in three initiatives to strengthen the rural health workforce and improve local access to care. These include funding for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training, expanded and subsidized Primary Response in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) training, and a $6 million boost to the National Rural Recruitment and Locum Support Service to attract a broader range of health professionals. These efforts aim to equip rural clinicians with better skills and support, ensuring timely, quality healthcare for rural communities and reducing reliance on distant hospital care.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand rural health POCUS PRIME training rural clinicians healthcare access National Rural Recruitment locum support emergency careNew Zealand Modernises RSE Scheme to Simplify and Protect Seasonal Workers
4 weeks ago | 240 viewsThe Government is modernising the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to simplify its use, enhance worker protections, and maintain opportunities for New Zealanders and Pacific workers. Key reforms include a graduated accreditation system for employers, clearer rules on recoverable costs, improved flexibility for worker movement between employers, and updated accommodation and pastoral care standards. These staged changes, starting in 2027, aim to sustain the scheme’s success in supporting New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors while strengthening partnerships with Pacific communities.
Tags: Erica Stanford Recognised Seasonal Employer RSE scheme New Zealand Pacific workers horticulture viticulture immigration pastoral care accommodation standardsFamilyBoost Payments Support Over 97,500 NZ Families with Childcare Costs
4 weeks ago | 221 viewsOver 97,500 New Zealand families have received FamilyBoost payments, which were expanded last year to increase the rebate from 25% to 40%, raise the maximum weekly payment to $120, and extend eligibility to households earning up to $229,000 annually. These changes have resulted in a 70% increase in average payments, helping over 12,000 families each quarter to better manage early childhood education costs and balance work and family life. The government encourages eligible families to register for FamilyBoost, emphasizing its role in supporting working parents and strengthening the economy by easing childcare cost pressures.
Tags: FamilyBoost Nicola Willis New Zealand early childhood education childcare costs working parents Finance Minister government support Inland Revenue family payments