Articles tagged with Treatment

Auckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care

4 days ago | 113 views

The 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 surgery

Auckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care

4 days ago | 92 views

The 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 surgery

New Peer-Led Mental Health Beds to Improve Crisis Support in NZ

1 week ago | 153 views

New Zealand is nearly doubling peer-led acute alternative mental health beds from 25 to 45 to provide faster, community-based crisis support outside hospitals, with 12 new beds opening in Auckland and eight in the lower South Island. This expansion is part of a $61.6 million government investment that also includes additional frontline staff, peer support workers, and Crisis Recovery Cafés to improve mental health crisis response nationwide. Trusted local organizations with extensive community experience will deliver these services, ensuring people in crisis receive timely, supportive care in a home-like environment connected to their families and communities.

Tags: Matt Doocey Pathways Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Uruuruwhenua Hauora Auckland Invercargill Alexandra New Zealand Mental Health Minister Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams

Delmore Auckland Housing Project Gets Fast-Track Approval Boosting Local Economy

2 weeks ago | 174 views

The Delmore residential development in Auckland, covering over 61 hectares and including 1,200 dwellings, commercial areas, parks, and ecological restoration, has received Fast-track approval, marking it the 30th such project approved. The development will contribute $1.22 billion to the local economy over 25 years and features a privately managed water and wastewater system designed to meet current and future needs, with conditions ensuring environmental and infrastructural compliance. Overall, 30 projects have been approved through the Fast-track process, with 59 currently progressing and 65 referred, reflecting the government's ongoing commitment to accelerating infrastructure and housing developments.

Tags: Chris Bishop Vineway Limited Delmore Auckland Ōrewa State Highway 1 independent expert panel wastewater treatment infrastructure

New Advanced LINAC Machine Enhances Cancer Treatment at Wellington Hospital

4 weeks ago | 255 views

Wellington Regional Hospital has introduced a new advanced radiation therapy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine, enhancing precise cancer treatment for patients across the region as part of a $12.6 million investment to modernize oncology services. This latest generation LINAC uses camera-based surface guidance for accurate patient positioning, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue, and supports clinical innovation and staff training. The upgrade ensures continued high-quality care during installation, with a second LINAC replacement planned, contributing to a nationwide effort to expand and improve cancer treatment capacity.

Tags: Simeon Brown Wellington Regional Hospital LINAC radiation therapy cancer treatment Capital Coast Hutt Valley New Zealand Hawke's Bay Cancer Centre Auckland

New Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre to Provide Local Radiation Treatment

2 months ago | 585 views

Construction has begun on the new Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre, which will provide the region's first local radiation treatment service, significantly reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for care. The $44.8 million project includes advanced technology such as a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine and will offer comprehensive oncology and haematology services, improving treatment outcomes and patient comfort. This centre is a key part of the wider Hawke’s Bay Hospital redevelopment aimed at enhancing healthcare access and capacity for the growing population.

Tags: Simeon Brown Hawke’s Bay Cancer Centre Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Palmerston North Linear Accelerator LINAC Hawke’s Bay Hospital Health Minister cancer treatment radiation treatment

New Zealand Health System Improves with Faster Treatment and Shorter Waits

2 months ago | 394 views

New Zealand's health system has shown continuous improvement across all five Government health targets, with more people receiving timely treatments and shorter wait times for elective procedures, specialist assessments, and cancer care. Key metrics such as childhood immunisation rates, emergency department stays, and volumes of care delivered have all increased compared to the previous year, reflecting steady progress in planned care, cancer services, and prevention. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that these results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Government’s focus on accountability and patient-centered care, signaling positive momentum toward a better and faster health system for New Zealanders.

Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Health Minister elective treatment specialist assessment childhood immunisation emergency departments cancer treatment health targets government health system

Improved Healthcare in Dargaville: New Acute Care and Local Cancer Treatment Available

2 months ago | 498 views

Dargaville residents now have improved access to healthcare with a new acute care service operating daily from 8:00am to 8:30pm, reducing the need to travel to Whangārei for urgent treatment. Additionally, a new oncology infusion service provides local cancer treatments, supporting around 70 patients annually and minimizing travel burdens. These initiatives align with the Government's goal to ensure timely, quality healthcare within a one-hour drive for 98% of New Zealanders, particularly benefiting rural and regional communities.

Tags: Simeon Brown Dargaville Kaipara New Zealand Health Minister acute care cancer treatment oncology infusion urgent care chemotherapy

New Radiation Oncology Service in Whangārei Hospital Brings Cancer Care Closer to Home

2 months ago | 590 views

The new radiation oncology service at Whangārei Hospital, featuring Northland's first Linear Accelerator, is now complete, allowing most local cancer patients to receive radiation treatment closer to home and reducing lengthy travel to Auckland. This $60.9 million facility will initially treat around 370 patients annually, with capacity to expand, and includes expanded chemotherapy services and plans to become a training site for radiation therapists by 2027. The project, part of the Whangārei Hospital Master Plan and supported by 35 staff, aims to improve timely access to cancer care in Northland and ease pressure on Auckland’s services.

Tags: Simeon Brown Shane Reti Whangārei Hospital Northland radiation oncology LINAC Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre Auckland Northlanders cancer care

Pink Ribbon Day Highlights Importance of Early Breast Cancer Screening in NZ

3 months ago | 627 views

Pink Ribbon Day highlights the importance of early breast cancer detection, with over 16,440 women aged 70 to 74 already benefiting from free screening since eligibility was extended last year. The nationwide age extension, part of a four-year rollout, has led to the detection of 190 breast cancers in this group, potentially improving treatment outcomes through earlier diagnosis. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that expanding screening programs supports early detection, better recovery chances, and strengthens New Zealand's healthcare future.

Tags: Pink Ribbon Day breast cancer early detection breast screening Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealand women cancer treatment screening eligibility cancer awareness healthcare programs

Southland Hospital Upgrades Fluoroscopy Machine for Faster, Safer Imaging

3 months ago | 534 views

Southland Hospital has installed a $994,000 upgraded fluoroscopy machine that provides higher-quality, real-time X-ray imaging with clearer images at lower radiation doses, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. This dual-purpose system supports various procedures, including over 400 annual PICC line insertions, and also functions as a general X-ray room, improving efficiency and reducing wait times. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment advances timely diagnostic services, enabling faster treatment decisions and supporting the government’s goal of quicker specialist assessments and elective treatments.

Tags: Simeon Brown Southland Hospital fluoroscopy diagnostic imaging PICC line intravenous treatment chemotherapy Health Minister Southlanders

New Cancer Infusion Service Launches at Te Kūiti Hospital for Local Care

3 months ago | 826 views

Te Kūiti Hospital has launched a new infusion service providing local cancer treatments, reducing the need for patients to travel to Waikato Hospital. Initially operating one day a week with certified staff and on-site support, the service aims to expand as part of a nationwide effort to increase cancer treatment access in rural communities. Supported by significant government investment, this initiative focuses on patient-centered care, improving timely treatment access, and enhancing the overall experience for patients and their families.

Tags: Simeon Brown Te Kūiti Hospital King Country Waikato Hospital chemotherapy cancer treatment New Zealand Pharmac Budget 2024 infusion service

New Cancer Infusion Centre Opens in Henderson for West Auckland Patients

3 months ago | 599 views

A new community-based cancer infusion centre is opening in Henderson, West Auckland, allowing patients to receive treatment closer to home and reducing travel to Auckland City Hospital. This service, operating five days a week with four treatment chairs, complements a recent infusion centre at Waitākere Hospital and is part of a nationwide effort to expand community cancer care. Supported by a $210 million investment from Budget 2024 and increased Pharmac funding, New Zealand plans to open 14 new infusion centres and expand 14 others to meet growing demand and improve patient access.

Tags: West Auckland cancer treatment infusion service Henderson Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Te Whānau o Waipareira Waitākere Hospital Pharmac Budget 2024

New Endoscopy Suite at Wairarapa Hospital Boosts Local Diagnostic Access

3 months ago | 566 views

Wairarapa Hospital will build a new purpose-built endoscopy suite to increase local capacity, reduce delays, and improve access to diagnostic services, minimizing the need for patients to travel outside the region. The current endoscopy services are limited by inadequate facilities, and the new suite will address rising demand, support faster diagnosis, and free up theatre space for elective surgeries. This development is part of a $34.2 million investment in diagnostic services, including a new MRI scanner, aimed at enhancing healthcare infrastructure and patient care in the Wairarapa region.

Tags: Simeon Brown Wairarapa Hospital endoscopy suite bowel screening colonoscopy diagnostic services MRI scanner health infrastructure elective surgeries cancer treatment

Dunedin Hospital Unveils $4.3M Advanced LINAC for Precise Cancer Treatment

3 months ago | 686 views

Dunedin Hospital has installed a new $4.3 million next-generation Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine, enhancing precision cancer treatment with targeted radiation that minimizes damage to healthy tissue. The advanced technology allows clinicians to treat multiple tumors simultaneously, reducing treatment times and enabling therapies not possible with older models. This upgrade is part of a nationwide effort to improve cancer care access and outcomes, providing patients in the lower South Island with modern, high-quality treatment closer to home.

Tags: Simeon Brown Dunedin Hospital Linear Accelerator cancer treatment South Island New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre radiation therapy healthcare technology cancer care