Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Latest Health Headlines
Specialist Disappointed Older People Being Let Down Over Dunedin Hospital Revamp
Saturday, 1 February 2025, 8:03 pm | RNZ
The government is being unrealistic and ignoring the needs of an ageing population, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry says. More >>
Rickets Sees Resurgence With 20 Cases In Four Months
Saturday, 1 February 2025, 7:57 pm | RNZ
The condition affects children and infants, causes bone deformities and sometimes seizures, and is most often caused by a deficiency of vitamin D or calcium. More >>
Fiji’s HIV crisis is a regional challenge that demands a regional response
Friday, 31 January 2025, 8:45 pm | The Conversation
Australian and New Zealand aid and support will be crucial in containing Fiji’s serious HIV outbreak – including combating the drug trade that is fuelling it. More >>
Call To End Prescribing Puberty Blockers In NZ
Friday, 31 January 2025, 6:15 pm | Family First New Zealand
Family First has subsequently written to both the PBC Team and Health NZ to reiterate the following points regarding the safety and efficacy requirements under the Medicines Act 1981 (the Medicines Act) and Family First’s concerns about inconsistent standards, ... More >>
Otago Polytechnic Welcomes Confirmation Of New Dunedin Hospital Build
Friday, 31 January 2025, 2:46 pm | Otago Polytechnic
Executive Director Dr Megan Pōtiki says confirmation of plans to build a modern tertiary hospital in central Dunedin will help strengthen the city's reputation as a destination for excellence in health education. More >>
Scaled-back New Dunedin Hospital Puts Cost-cutting Before Health
Friday, 31 January 2025, 2:40 pm | NZNO
NZNO President and emergency nurse Anne Daniels says today’s announcement fails to future-proof the health needs of the Southern community. More >>
‘Disappointed’: Rangiora After-hours Clinic Promises Fall Flat
Thursday, 30 January 2025, 10:09 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The wait is dragging on for a promised after-hours medical centre in Rangiora. More >>
Nationwide Initiative Transforms Bereavement Care For Families Experiencing Baby Loss
Thursday, 30 January 2025, 7:40 pm | Manaaki Mats
Manaaki Mats are designed to maintain a consistent temperature, allowing parents to hold and spend time with their baby without relying on restrictive other methods. More >>
Healthcare Crisis Drives Cross-Country Protest: Nigel Brown Transforms Ambulance For Doctors' Journey
Thursday, 30 January 2025, 6:59 pm | Hikoi for Health
This converted vehicle, central to the Hīkoi for Health: A People’s Inquiry, will journey from Kaitaia in Northland to Parliament, collecting healthcare stories and ideas for reform from communities along its route. More >>
Urgent Need For Action To Address Increasing Rates Of Diabetes
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 7:32 pm | NZ College of Public Health Medicine
While population growth and an aging population contribute to these findings, changing obesity profiles underpin the increase in the prevalence of diabetes, with the social determinants of obesity, including food environments, playing a key role. More >>
Increase In Closed Books No Surprise To General Practice Owners
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 7:16 pm | General Practice Owners Association
The increasing number of general practices closing their books to new patients is no surprise to the General Practice Owners Association (GenPro). More >>
Cohen’s Big Leap: Teen Marks 15th Birthday By Doing 15 Bungy Jumps To Fundraise For RMHC NZ
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 7:03 pm | Ronald McDonald House
On Thursday January 28, Cohen Freeland completed his 15 jumps in less than an hour, all in an effort to raise $15,000 for RMHC NZ, a charity which provides support for Kiwi families with a hospitalised child. More >>
Pharmac Reconsiders Oestradiol Patch Options Following Community Feedback
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 5:53 pm | PHARMAC
“While the global shortage has not been solved by any stretch, we are looking at what we can do to ensure that people can get the best patches for their personal situations,” says Pharmac’s Senior Therapeutic Group Manager/Team Leader, Alexandra ... More >>
College Of GPs Welcomes Newest GP And Rural Hospital Medicine Trainees
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 4:07 pm | Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says, "We’re delighted that our new registrars have recognised the impact they can have on improving health outcomes by working on the frontline in their communities. More >>
Warmer Weather Brings Increased Risks To Dogs - NZVA
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 2:17 pm | NZ Veterinary Association
The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) encourages owners to walk dogs on a leash if toxic algae or karaka berries could be in the vicinity as both can make dogs incredibly ill. More >>
Proper Funding Of Primary Care Nurses Key To Kiwis Getting Into GPs
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 2:09 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO’s New Zealand College of Primary Health Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says the Coalition Government’s focus on the health sector is misdirected. More >>
High Demand For Hato Hone St John Ambulance Services Continues
Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 10:01 am | Hato Hone St John
Hato Hone St John is now seeking a new Government contract that fully covers operational costs for delivering the contracted services, a sustainable level of capital funding and adequate support for essential repairs and maintenance. More >>
Head Lice Frustrations Driving Some Parents To Risky Treatments
Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 9:03 pm | RNZ
iSpyNits founder Kate Ricketts says she's heard of parents resorting to drastic measures to get rid of nits, including kerosene, fly spray and flea treatment. More >>
Native Sports Performance: Te Hiku Taitamariki Chasing Down Their Dreams From Home
Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 3:45 pm | Taikorihi Locality
Natives Director Rawinia Everitt contemplates what was a full-on year in 2024 for the organisation, whose aim is to support the aspirations and development of young people in the Far North across numerous sporting codes from their powerbase – home. More >>
TE NIHO: Te Hiku Dental Initiative Bites Down On Oral Healthcare Reform In The Far North
Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 3:35 pm | Taikorihi Locality
The Te Niho initiative is one of 13 supported by Te Whatu Ora through the Taikorihi Locality – a prototype set up under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 to influence and inform the future of public health investment in the area extending from Hokianga ... More >>
International Experts Offer Insights To Prevent Falls
Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 12:37 pm | University of Auckland
Experts from Europe, Australia and Aotearoa will present cutting edge research at the Ageing, Mobility and Staying Upright symposium at the University of Auckland. More >>
National Brain Tumour Register Could Bring Patients Hope
Tuesday, 28 January 2025, 11:20 am | University of Auckland
Dr Thomas Park. Photo/Supplied. University of Auckland brain researcher Dr Thomas Park has been volunteering his time to set up a national brain tumour register. That’s because he believes the register could offer a sliver of hope to about 2400 people ... More >>
Hospitalisation Spike Likely During Back-To-School Period
Monday, 27 January 2025, 8:23 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is encouraging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of an asthma attack and how to respond, with hospitalisations from attacks at their highest during week 3 of Term 1. More >>
Whiitika Whakatika Launch Wānanga Engagement At Rātana 2025
Sunday, 26 January 2025, 6:35 pm | Whiitiki Whakatika
Through Te Niwha, Whiitiki Whakatika are supporting a collaborative research platform for infectious disease for prevention, control, management and pandemic response. More >>
One Week On, New Health Minister Must Lift Hiring Freeze And Start Delivering
Sunday, 26 January 2025, 2:17 pm | PSA
Christopher Luxon knows New Zealanders are seeing the cold hard reality of the health cuts every day in longer wait times at EDs, delays to elective surgery and other problems. The new Health Minister now needs to step up and deliver - that means no ... More >>
Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust Named Finalist In Prestigious Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2025
Friday, 24 January 2025, 7:54 pm | Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust
The Trust’s Piki Te Ora: Bridging Culture and Active Ageing for Holistic Wellbeing programme has been shortlisted in the ‘Innovation of the Year – Active Ageing - Lifestyle Programme’ category. More >>
New Pharmacy Council Disciplinary Levy And Annual Practising Certificate Fee
Friday, 24 January 2025, 5:13 pm | Pharmacy Council
The new combined fee will be $1020 (including GST), which equates to a 1.6 percent rise to the APC fee ($12) and a 55 percent rise to the disciplinary levy ($83). More >>
Griefity Partnership Provides $1 Million In Online Counselling
Thursday, 23 January 2025, 7:50 pm | Griefity
Griefity’s $1 million initiative comes at a time when demand for mental health services has never been greater. For many, grief isn’t just sadness. It’s a deeply personal and often isolating experience that can lead to anxiety, loneliness, or ... More >>
Health Warnings – Waikirikiri-Selwyn River At Glentunnel And Whitecliffs
Thursday, 23 January 2025, 3:20 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
The warning follows finding moderate to high cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the Waikirikiri-Selwyn River at Glentunnel and Whitecliffs. More >>
Surveys Find Significant Mental Distress In Samoa And Tonga
Thursday, 23 January 2025, 8:59 am | Waipapa Taumata Rau
About eight percent of the participants in Samoa and six percent in Tonga experienced psychological distress, in comparison to four to six percent of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa over recent years. More >>
Hauora Taiwhenua Seeks Early Meeting To Brief Minister Brown On Rural Health Issues.
Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 4:22 pm | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
Delays in committing to this initiative defies the undisputed fact that New Zealand must build its own health workforce, and is creating uncertainty across students’ tertiary enrolment decisions, and university intakes. More >>
Improving The Treatment Journey With Compassion
Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 11:48 am | Health New Zealand
Waikato Clinical Nurse Specialist Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer, Ellyn Proffit encourages anyone being admitted to Waikato Hospital to let staff know if they require a key support person and make sure this is outlined in their care plan. More >>
Consultations For Cancer And ADHD Medicines Close Soon
Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 9:21 am | PHARMAC
Geraldine MacGibbon, Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, says there’s just under one week left to give feedback on the proposals to fund six medicines for cancer, one for antibiotic resistant infections, and a brand change of a breast cancer medicine. More >>
Cabinet Reshuffle: Change Of Health Minister Will Be Little Comfort To Delay-Hit Patients - Advocates
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 8:54 pm | RNZ
New Health Minister Simeon Brown may be hamstrung in how much he can change, as cuts to the health system are "writ in stone", union head says. More >>
Waikato Cardiology Team Marks Milestone Of 1000 TAVI Procedures
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 4:07 pm | Health New Zealand
"This achievement reflects the dedication and skill of a committed team, working together to deliver care for our patients." More >>
College Of GPs Says Investment In Primary Care Must Be A Top Priority For New Health Minister
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 1:48 pm | Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
The College welcomes the opportunity to work with Minister Brown on lasting solutions that will get New Zealanders swifter access to GPs as well as progressing advocacy on behalf of our 6,200 members to create well-resourced, sustainable and gold standard ... More >>
Opposition To Government Funding Of Certain Smoking Cessation Products
Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 11:54 am | General Practitioners Aotearoa
As New Zealand’s only independent organisation representing general practitioners, General Practitioners Aotearoa (GPA) is committed to keeping an open mind and supporting evidence-based strategies to reduce smoking prevalence and improve public health. More >>
Health Warning - Algal Bloom In Rakahuri | Ashley River At SH1
Monday, 20 January 2025, 2:47 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
The warning follows finding moderate to high cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the Rakahuri | Ashley River at SH1. People should avoid the area and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the health ... More >>
Change The Funding Model, Not Just The Minister
Monday, 20 January 2025, 2:00 pm | Primary and Community Health Aotearoa
Members of PCHA do not feel valued and hence there are a number of pay parity claims that the members have been forced to pursue. As an example, Whānau Āwhina Plunket nurses and Home and Community Health workers deserve and should be paid more for ... More >>
Music Therapy Helping Auckland Girl Navigate Neurodivergent Life
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:59 am | RNZ
Kiara tried many things to help her navigate a neurodivergent life, but her parents found she flourished the most with her weekly music therapy sessions. More >>
General Practice Wants Quick Action From New Minister, Calls For Budget To Have Health Theme
Monday, 20 January 2025, 8:17 am | General Practice Owners Association
Leading the support list from GenPro’s perspective is the complete overhaul of the arcane funding and regulated pricing model imposed on general practice, a model which is driving general practices to the wall. The current model is more than two ... More >>
Time For The Government To Address Challenges Faced By Health Sector - NZNO
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 4:59 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says it doesn’t matter to patients who the minister of health is. What matters to New Zealanders is that the Government accepts its responsibility to ensure we have an equitable health system that works for all New Zealanders. More >>
Expanding Dental Services Meet Community Needs in Hawke's Bay
Sunday, 19 January 2025, 2:56 pm | Golden Apple Dental
Dental experts emphasise that preventative care, including regular check-ups and hygiene appointments, can significantly reduce the risk of more serious conditions such as gum disease or tooth loss. More >>
Decision On Proposed Waikato Medical School Taking Too Long - Union
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 7:38 pm | RNZ
The school aimed at producing more GPs to plug dire shortages, particularly in rural and regional areas. More >>
Marae-based Study Into Psychoactive Mushroom For Treating Methamphetamine Addiction Completes First Phase Of Trials
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 7:29 pm | RNZ
Over the past month the first cohort of participants have undergone sessions with mushroom extract containing a specific dose of psilocybin at Rangiwaho Marae south of Gisborne. More >>
Expanded Orthodontic Care Offers Better Access to Braces in Auckland
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 2:10 pm | Dental Today
From traditional metal braces to more discreet options, Dental Today ensures patients receive care that fits their needs and lifestyle. More >>
Customs Street Dentist Offers Advanced Cosmetic and Hygienist Services in Auckland
Saturday, 18 January 2025, 5:39 am | Customs Street Dentist
Conveniently located in the historic Dilworth Building at 5 Customs Street East, Customs Street Dentist offers easy accessibility for city residents and professionals. Appointments can be booked online or by contacting the clinic directly. More >>
Health Warning Lifted For The Selwyn/Waikirikiri River At Whitecliffs
Friday, 17 January 2025, 7:21 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
When a health warning is in place, water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens. More >>
Study Offers Hope For Osteoporosis Prevention
Friday, 17 January 2025, 3:05 pm | University of Auckland
A drug that is widely used to slow down bone-loss in older women and prevent related fractures could in future be used only once or twice in younger women in their 50s and 60s to prevent fractures. More >>
Must Know Swimming Water Quality Tips For Parents And Caregivers
Friday, 17 January 2025, 2:08 pm | Land Air Water Aotearoa
LAWA Recreational Water Quality Science Lead Dr Elaine Moriarty advised that the ‘Can I swim here?’ guide lists around 900 popular swim spots across New Zealand. More >>
E Tipu E Rea Calling for Targeted, Whole-Whānau Strategies to Address Whooping Cough in the First 2,000 Days
Thursday, 16 January 2025, 8:33 pm | E Tipu e Rea Whanau
The comprehensive early years and maternity care provided by E Tipu E Rea includes Māori midwifery, social and cultural support, community outreach nurses, and childhood immunisations, all focused on supporting the health and well-being of pēpi and whānau ... More >>
Stab-proof Vests For Mental Health Nurses?
Thursday, 16 January 2025, 3:52 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO and the Public Service Association (PSA) - which both have members who are mental health workers - are calling for a full investigation into the incident by Te Whatu Ora and WorkSafe, and for the matter to be referred to the Health Quality Safety ... More >>
Pharmac Consulting On Widening Access To Venetoclax, Azacitidine And Upadacitinib
Thursday, 16 January 2025, 1:21 pm | PHARMAC
Pharmac currently funds venetoclax for a different type of blood cancer called chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and funds upadacitinib for some people with rheumatoid arthritis. Azacitidine is currently funded for other types of blood cancer. More >>
Health Warning Lifted At Duvauchelle Bay
Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 5:56 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says, “This is great news for swimmers and other recreational water users in Whakaroa-Akaroa harbour at Duvauchelle Bay who would have been avoiding the water following the high ... More >>
Launch Of PSNZ Position Statement And Priority Areas Of Focus
Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 4:06 pm | Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand
Pharmacists are highly skilled and accessible which makes them invaluable, complementing the work done by other healthcare teams in community, primary and secondary settings. More >>
The 'Superpower' Helping Nigel Latta Deal With Incurable Cancer
Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 8:53 pm | RNZ
"If I could swap this thing for being bankrupt ... if I could do that and be guaranteed 30 more years with Natalie, I'd do that in a second," he says. More >>
GAZA: Explosive Weapons Left 15 Children A Day With Potentially Lifelong Disabilities In 2024
Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 1:15 pm | Save the Children
Gaza’s only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre has been non-functional since December 2023 due to lack of supplies and staff and was further damaged in a February 2024 raid. More >>
Cyanobacteria Health Warning Lifted From Lakes Kainui And Hakanoa
Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 9:36 am | Health New Zealand
If you feel unwell after coming in contact with the lake you should seek health advice from your doctor or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116. Please also report it to the NPHS Waikato office on (07) 838 2569. More >>
Childhood Trauma The Norm, But Positive Experiences Help
Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 9:22 am | University of Auckland
Almost all children in Aotearoa, New Zealand (87 percent) have experienced significant trauma by the time they are eight, far more than earlier thought, according to new research. More >>
WellSouth To Improve Breast Screening As The Breast Screen Bus Hits The South
Monday, 13 January 2025, 3:37 pm | WellSouth
Since October 2024, and for the first time, WellSouth now has the contract from Christchurch-based ScreenSouth Limited, that administers BreastScreen Aotearoa Services through BreastScreen South and BreastScreen Otago Southland, the national breast screening programmes ... More >>
