Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Latest Health Headlines
Māori Asthma Hospitalisation Rates Fall
Saturday, 21 December 2024, 6:43 pm | RNZ
Asthma hospitalisations among Māori have decreased, according to a new study, but experts warn there is still a long way to go. More >>
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Help At Hand
Friday, 20 December 2024, 7:50 pm | University of Auckland
How best to support people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their whānau is the focus of a new study at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland. More >>
Funding For Euthanasia, But Not Palliative Care
Friday, 20 December 2024, 7:28 pm | Family First New Zealand
In a disturbing development affecting our already under-resourced palliative care service, Health New Zealand is looking to sack the only two people focused on improving the already under-funded and under-supported palliative care system. And a new report ... More >>
“Know Before You Go” – Check Summer Swimming Water Quality Online
Friday, 20 December 2024, 6:43 pm | LAWA
LAWA Recreational Water Quality Science Lead Dr Elaine Moriarty advised ‘Can I swim here?’ will continue to provide updated guidance to help people decide where to swim all summer long. More >>
Fears For Whānau As Whakatāne Hospital Obstetric Services Collapse
Friday, 20 December 2024, 5:07 pm | RNZ
All four specialists have resigned at Whakatāne Hospital, leaving midwives "sick" with worry: "What happens if something goes wrong?" More >>
Community Voice Ignites Free Denture Initiative In Hauraki
Friday, 20 December 2024, 3:02 pm | Te Tara o Te Whai
Oral-health has been identified as a top health priority for the Hauraki region and through community engagement, this has fuelled the development of a tailored oral health and now denture initiative that scratches the surface towards addressing the ... More >>
Healthline Reduces Pressure On Emergency Departments
Friday, 20 December 2024, 2:47 pm | Whakarongorau Aotearoa
The reality is that not all patients who visit emergency departments truly require emergency care. New research shows that a simple phone call to Healthline prevents close to 23,000 unnecessary emergency department visits each year. More >>
Protect Our Patients This Holiday Seasons
Friday, 20 December 2024, 11:45 am | Health New Zealand
Following the recent outbreak of a Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic, as well as COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses still circulating in the community, we are asking people to be vigilant if they are visiting loved ones. More >>
PlunketLine – Here For Parents 24/7 – Especially At Christmas
Friday, 20 December 2024, 8:47 am | Whanau Awhina Plunket
PlunketLine, the free telehealth advice service for parents and caregivers of tamariki under five, is available 24/7 over the Christmas period. More >>
King Living Partners For Healthier Kiwi Homes
Friday, 20 December 2024, 8:40 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
King Living is committed to creating furniture that enhances everyday living and contributes to better health and well-being, and it is one of the reasons they have chosen to become a Gold partner of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ’s Friends ... More >>
Guild Membership Now Includes Access To CPD Training
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 9:13 pm | Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand
The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) is pleased to announce that Guild membership now includes complimentary membership of the Australasian College of Pharmacy (the College). All pharmacists with an ownership interest in a Guild member pharmacy ... More >>
Study Finds Fluoride In Water Does Not Affect Brain Development
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 9:02 pm | University of Queensland
This study is the second phase of research conducted by Professor Do’s team – the first phase found no difference in behavioural development and executive functioning in children exposed to fluoridated water compared to those who had no exposure. More >>
Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality At Pines Beach
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 6:13 pm | Health New Zealand
Dr Annabel Begg, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Service, says – “rainfall in the area in the last few days has most likely caused the high levels of faecal bacteria”. More >>
Pharmac Consulting On Six Medicines For New Zealanders
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 1:14 pm | PHARMAC
The new medicines are part of multiproduct agreements with two suppliers which is why the consultations include multiple medicines. Consultation is now open, and people can submit feedback through the Pharmac website before 24 January 2025. More >>
Neurodiversity Expo Scheduled For January
Thursday, 19 December 2024, 9:25 am | Takiwa Poutini
Neuro Know How is being put together by the West Coast Neurodiversity Action Group facilitated by Takiwā Poutini to raise awareness, normalise neurodiversity and promote the West Coast as a neurodiverse-affirming region, Takiwā Poutini Programme Manager ... More >>
Food, Fashion And Fundraising: ME RESPITE Announces Charity Dinner To Support ME/CFS Community
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 6:36 pm | ME RESPITE
This special evening is dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds for the ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) community and those with related illnesses, including Fibromyalgia (FM) and Long Covid (LC). More >>
A Step Toward Health Equity As Rates Of Māori Hospital Admissions For Asthma Fall
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 5:32 pm | MRINZ
A recent study conducted by the MRINZ demonstrates a significant reduction in asthma hospitalisations among Māori, indicating progress toward addressing the persistent inequities in respiratory health outcomes. More >>
Abortions Increase 23% Since Law Change
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:43 am | Family First New Zealand
The ratio of abortions has increased since the law change from 18.6% to about 22.1% of known pregnancies ending in an abortion. This means that on average, every day, 45 children are killed in the womb in New Zealand. More >>
Large Numbers Of RSE Workers Get Immunised To Protect Pacific Island Nations
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 11:35 am | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Over the last six months,1205 RSE workers from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu have been immunised with the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the Hawke’s Bay alone. More >>
Pharmac Is Exploring Options For Alternative Brands Of Oestradiol Patches
Wednesday, 18 December 2024, 9:27 am | PHARMAC
“We’ll be seeking feedback about access to alternative brands through a public consultation before making any decisions. The consultation will be provided to key stakeholders & interested groups, including the organisers of a recent petition, ... More >>
Consultation To Increase ADHD Medicine Access Begins
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 2:31 pm | PHARMAC
The proposal suggests broadening the range of people who can initiate treatment of stimulant medicines which, over time, would lead to more doctors and nurse practitioners being able to diagnose and treat ADHD. More >>
Wellington NZNO Members To Strike Tomorrow
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 11:41 am | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO Wellington delegate and spokesperson Jinty Graham says understaffing means nurses are under constant stress trying to perform their duties. More >>
How Long Should You Sit In An Ice Bath For Optimal Benefits?
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 11:14 am | Hugh Grant
Let’s explore how to optimize your ice bathing experience, ensuring you get the most out of those invigorating minutes. More >>
Patients Will Die If Govt Proceeds With Plans To Halve Health IT Staff
Tuesday, 17 December 2024, 10:01 am | PSA
A risk planning document obtained by 1 News show the Government ignoring the risks to patient safety by pressing ahead with gutting Te Whatu Ora’s Data and Digital group to save $100 million a year. More >>
Full Force Of Volunteers Needed To Fight Heart Disease: Become A Big Heart Appeal Street Collector
Monday, 16 December 2024, 8:44 pm | The Heart Foundation
“Our work has never been more urgent,” Gerry says. “Funds raised help us to make a big difference whether it is supporting research that results in improved treatments and medications or investing in overseas training for our young cardiologists ... More >>
Waikato/Waitemata/Taranaki/Northland NZNO Members To Strike Tomorrow
Monday, 16 December 2024, 5:18 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO members fear Te Whatu Ora’s plans to pause a key component of its safe staffing programme put patient and whānau safety and wellbeing at risk. More >>
Turmeric Golden Paste For Pets: A Natural Remedy For Health
Monday, 16 December 2024, 1:09 pm | Golden Turmeric Limited
Turmeric for Pets involves introducing this beneficial spice into their diets safely and effectively. Raw turmeric alone, however, is not enough. Its key compound, curcumin, is poorly absorbed by the body in its natural form. More >>
Aotearoa New Zealand Is Flying Blind On Misinformation
Monday, 16 December 2024, 11:13 am | Public Health Communication Centre
Public surveys over the last three years show that most New Zealanders are concerned about misinformation, especially in the context of public health. More >>
Gen Z Embrace The Holiday Season With A Focus On Drinking Alcohol In Moderation
Monday, 16 December 2024, 10:23 am | Alcohol Beverages Council
“The study revealed that Gen Zers who are called ‘the sober curious generation’, are drinking less alcohol than previous generations. We are seeing similar trends in New Zealand”, said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. More >>
Animal Owners Urged To Make A List And Check It Twice These Summer Holidays - NZVA
Monday, 16 December 2024, 10:07 am | New Zealand Veterinary Association
NZVA Head of Veterinary Services (Companion Animal) Sally Cory reminded animal owners to think P.E.T. which stands for Pause. Emergency call. Take. More >>
Christmas Wish For Better Heart Healthcare In New Zealand
Monday, 16 December 2024, 8:35 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
At Kia Manawanui Trust - The Heart of Aotearoa, we want to improve heart healthcare for those suffering from heart disease. Many New Zealanders are waiting far too long for the care they need, and we would love your help to change that. More >>
Mental Health Bill: 'No Place For Compulsory Care' In New Law, Academic Says
Sunday, 15 December 2024, 9:06 pm | RNZ
The legislation is "completely inconsistent with expert advice and international law and best practice", associate professor says. More >>
Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa: A New Name, Same Compassionate Misson
Saturday, 14 December 2024, 11:00 pm | Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa
With over 90 chaplains working in 36 hospitals across New Zealand, Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa continues its essential role of providing spiritual care that complements medical treatment, enhances well-being, and strengthens the resilience of patients, ... More >>
New Mental Health Act A 'Potentially Wasted Opportunity' - Healthcare Professionals
Friday, 13 December 2024, 6:14 pm | RNZ
A group of mental health professionals say the new bill is just "the old act, with some new lipstick". More >>
Age Concern Wellington Region Highlighting Loneliness As A Major Issue For Many Seniors This Christmas
Friday, 13 December 2024, 5:37 pm | Age Concern Wellington Region
Research shows that isolation can have serious effects on mental and physical health, with seniors being particularly vulnerable. Age Concern is encouraging the community to take proactive steps to address this. More >>
Another 300 Health Roles Face The Axe
Friday, 13 December 2024, 4:51 pm | PSA
"Community and mental health services, and research, clinical trials, population health, whānau voice and innovation are impacted the most by the proposed cuts," says Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Health Lead ... More >>
Legal Advice Tells Health Ministry To Pause Puberty Blockers
Friday, 13 December 2024, 11:42 am | Family First New Zealand
The consent forms in the appendices to the PATHA guidelines also state: “Blockers are a reversible medication used to stop the physical changes of puberty. It can be started in early puberty (Tanner stage 2–3). More >>
Skin Cream To Treat Infections Becomes Fully Funded
Friday, 13 December 2024, 11:15 am | PHARMAC
“We expect about 780 people to benefit from it being fully funded in the first year. This is a small step to help people treat and heal from their skin infections so they can continue with their daily lives.” More >>
The Village NZ Steps Up To Provide Free Antenatal Classes Nationwide
Friday, 13 December 2024, 9:04 am | Village NZ
Following the announcement of the winding down of Parents Centre Aotearoa Trust, The Village NZ, fully funded by the Wright Family Foundation, is addressing the urgent need for accessible antenatal education. More >>
The Government’s Plan Is To Kill General Practice. Ignorance Or Intention?
Friday, 13 December 2024, 8:46 am | General Practitioners Aotearoa
The purpose of the Plan is to “to strengthen the clinical frontline and deliver on the Government’s priorities”. More >>
Over $18 Million In Holidays Act Remediation Payments Made To Health NZ’s Taranaki Staff
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 4:28 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
The money is expected to be in the bank accounts of 2421 staff owed a remediation payment by tomorrow morning. More >>
Hutt Valley/Rotorua/Tauranga NZNO Members To Strike Tomorrow
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 3:41 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Tauranga delegate Helena Joyce says she is striking because as a nurse she’s witnessed how dangerous understaffing can be. More >>
Kiwi Makes List Of Top 36 Global CEOs To Watch In 2025
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 10:04 am | Calocurb
Kennedy says she is honoured to be included amongst such remarkable people who are all doing their part to solve the world’s biggest health challenges. More >>
Transforming Māori Health: Iwi Partnership Boards Watchdog Role Vital To Driving Equity & Change
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 9:23 am | Te Tiratu
In a time of sweeping health system transformation, the meeting between Te Tiratū and senior government health officials offered a glimpse of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. More >>
NZ Women In Medicine 2024 Workforce Survey Results
Thursday, 12 December 2024, 8:57 am | NZ Women in Medicine
New Zealand doctors are showing high rates of burnout and dissatisfaction with their day-to-day work. Doctors’ experiences of the health system and their suggestions for immediate improvement are consistent across Primary and Secondary Care. More >>
High Assessment Centre Pass Rate A Welcome Boost For Pharmacist Workforce
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 10:22 pm | Pharmacy Council
The November AC pass rate is almost 80%, which is an excellent result. This means 144 interns are now eligible to apply and register in the pharmacist scope of practice. More >>
NZ’s First Case Of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu: Need To Strengthen Surveillance And Awareness
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 7:49 pm | Public Health Communication Centre
“NZ is fortunate to, so far, remain free of the HPAI H5N1 lineage currently sweeping the world. However the current H7 outbreak serves as a timely reminder of the disruption viral emergence events can cause to agriculture, as well as public and animal health,” ... More >>
Urgent Action Called For After Alarming Increases In Methamphetamine And Cocaine Consumption
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 7:11 pm | NZ Drug Foundation
National Drugs in Wastewater Testing Programme results released by NZ Police today show methamphetamine consumption in the third quarter of 2024 was over double the average quantity consumed per week over the previous year. More >>
Kjesten Wiig Appointed Director Of Malaghan Institute As Graham Le Gros Steps Into New Role
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 4:36 pm | Malaghan Institute
Chair Sir Paul Collins says the Trust Board is delighted to appoint such a capable and well-respected leader as Director, whose time at the Malaghan has proven her readiness, ambition and vision for the role. More >>
Counties Manukau/Wairarapa/Whanganui NZNO Members To Strike Tomorrow
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 4:01 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO members fear Te Whatu Ora’s plans to pause a key component of its safe staffing programme put patient and whānau safety and wellbeing at risk. More >>
Keeping Kiwi Families Healthy: ProCare Continues To Enhance Support For Practices Over The Christmas And Summer Period
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 11:24 am | ProCare Health
This initiative will see ProCare provide a significant level of funding to support patients in its network of practices to access virtual healthcare via CareHQ at a subsidised cost, allowing patients with a Community Services Card (CSC) to pay just ... More >>
New Research From Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Exposes Silent Struggle
Wednesday, 11 December 2024, 10:38 am | Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
While these struggles are familiar in our clinics, the data highlights the depth of the issue and the sexual wellness gap among Kiwi. More >>
Te Whatu Ora’s Workforce Plan Expects Everyone To Settle For Less
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 6:02 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
Te Whatu Ora’s 2024 Workforce Plan is laced with political double-speak which cannot mask the fact our health system is being asked to do more with too few resources. More >>
Health Workforce Plan Focused On Cost Not Patient Need
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 5:58 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
"It is entirely drawn from operating within a constrained funding environment and repeatedly cites workforce planning around ‘living within our means’ and ‘ensuring more sustainable workforce translates to a more financially sustainable system’." More >>
Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act Marks 20 Years
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 4:11 pm | Ministry of Health
“New Zealanders advocated for this change, and it brought about a fundamental shift where smoking was no longer socially acceptable inside,” says Deputy Director-General Public Health Agency Dr Andrew Old. More >>
Government Should Agree To End Wage Discrimination On Human Rights Day
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 11:13 am | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says today is Human Rights Day and it’s is a good time for the Government to do the right thing. More >>
Will Patients Accept AI Brain Scans?
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 11:06 am | University of Auckland
AI-powered MRIs could cut the potentially toxic dyes used in traditional MRIs by up to 80 percent, but will patients embrace AI-driven brain scans? More >>
Smokefree 2025: A Plan Without A Clear Path For Māori And Pacific Communities
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 10:09 am | Hapai Te Hauora
Jasmine Graham, Māori Public Health - Tobacco Control Manager says, "If we are serious about achieving Smokefree 2025 then we need a detailed plan with actions targeted at Māori and Pacific populations to address the unacceptably high smoking rates ... More >>
Health Experts Push For Change In Vital Lung Disease Test
Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 9:35 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
About 615,000 people live with asthma (or 1 in 8 New Zealanders) and about 300,000 (or 15% of New Zealanders) live with COPD. More >>
Resident’s Rights Breached By Residential Care Provider And Three Caregivers 20HDC01116
Monday, 9 December 2024, 8:28 pm | Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner
Aged Care Commissioner Carolyn Cooper found two caregivers breached the Code for failing to treat the man with respect | mana and/or provide services of an appropriate standard | tautikanga. More >>
