Articles tagged with Gps

New Zealand Sees 20% Drop in Tobacco Sales as Smoking Rates Decline

4 days ago | 94 views

New Zealand has seen a significant decline in tobacco sales, dropping over 20% in 2025 and more than halving in the past decade, though concerns remain about illegal cigarette availability. The government is addressing smoking harm through increased enforcement of tobacco and vape laws, youth prevention programs like Smokefreerockquest, and enhanced support for smokers to quit, including updated clinical guidelines and funded vape kits. Despite progress, efforts continue to focus on reducing smoking-related harm, emphasizing vaping as a less harmful cessation tool.

Tags: Casey Costello Health New Zealand Smokefreerockquest Smokefree Tangata Beats Ministry of Health Customs Police GPs Smokefree Enforcement Officers Health NZ

New ADHD Treatment Access in New Zealand Expanded to GPs and Nurse Practitioners

6 months ago | 993 views

New Zealand has expanded who can assess, diagnose, and start treatment for ADHD to improve timely access, allowing specialist GPs and nurse practitioners to manage adults and certain nurse practitioners to treat children under 18. Previously, only specialists could prescribe ADHD medicines, but now prescribing rules have been widened, removing prior restrictions and easing access to medication. These changes, along with removing renewal requirements for funded stimulant medicines, aim to connect more people with support earlier and positively impact education, employment, relationships, and mental health.

Tags: Matt Doocey ADHD New Zealand Medsafe Pharmac GPs nurse practitioners paediatrician psychiatrist Ministry of Health

Pharmac Proposes Funding Seven Key Medicines to Improve Rural Emergency Care in NZ

8 months ago | 842 views

Associate Health Ministers David Seymour and Matt Doocey support Pharmac’s proposal to fund seven emergency medicines for rural care, aiming to improve timely access for rural GPs, nurses, and midwives by March 2026. The proposal includes medicines for PRIME services and home births, addressing delays in ambulance and hospital access in rural New Zealand, and is part of broader efforts to ensure equitable healthcare regardless of location. Public consultation on the proposal will run from December 1 to 19, with the goal of enhancing emergency and everyday care in rural communities while reducing hospital pressure.

Tags: David Seymour Matt Doocey Pharmac Health NZ ACC rural health emergency care PRIME services intravenous tranexamic acid rural GPs

Enhancing GP Funding and Access for Kiwis: Government's New Health Initiatives

1 year ago | 3168 views

The Government, led by Health Minister Simeon Brown, is enhancing access to healthcare for New Zealanders by focusing on improved funding for rural practices, faster GP access, and bolstering the GP workforce through training and retention initiatives. Changes to GP funding will better reflect patient needs by updating the capitation model to include factors like multimorbidity and socioeconomic deprivation, effective from July 1, 2026. A new national health target aims to ensure over 80% of people can see a primary care provider within one week, aligning with efforts to improve access to mental health services, while targeted investments in GP training seek to attract and retain more doctors, especially in rural and high-needs areas.

Tags: Government Kiwis doctor funding rural practices primary care GPs Simeon Brown health target GP access

Childhood Immunisation Rates Continue to Soar, Reflecting Government Commitment to Kiwi Health

1 year ago | 1652 views

Childhood immunisation rates in New Zealand have increased to 79.3% at 24 months, reflecting the government's commitment to improving health outcomes for children. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes the importance of protecting children from preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. Progress has been seen nationwide, with districts such as Auckland and South Canterbury showing significant improvements in immunisation coverage.

Tags: childhood immunisation health minister Simeon Brown measles whooping cough vaccination GPs Government Kiwi children health outcomes