Budget 2017 invests an extra $60 million over four years to enable Pharmac to provide more New Zealanders with access to new medicines, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

“Pharmac’s model for increasing subsidised medicines and treatments for New Zealanders is world class,” Dr Coleman says.

“This funding boost in Budget 2017 will provide Pharmac with an extra $20 million in the 2017/2018 year to increase access to new medicines, and benefit more New Zealanders.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says 33,050 New Zealanders would benefit from July 1 this year from Pharmac’s latest funding proposals.

“The Government’s growing investment in Pharmac is enabling wider access and new medicines, benefitting thousands of New Zealanders,” Dr Coleman says.

“Pharmac has today commenced consultation on a new package covering three areas of medicine which means that from 1 July 2017 over 33,000 New Zealanders would benefit.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more kids are getting the prescriptions they need following the introduction of the free under-13 policy.

"We want to ensure young Kiwis get the best possible start in life. Removing the cost barrier of prescription charges and doctor visits is having a really positive impact on many families," says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest data shows that funding for home support services nationwide is up 53 per cent.

“To help New Zealanders live longer, healthy lives away from hospitals and in the community the DHB provides a wide range of home help support services. This includes, but isn’t limited to help with personal care and household chores,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes a new guide advising GPs on how they provide access to children and young person’s health information via patient portals.

“Patient portals are convenient, secure and real time savers for both patients and general practice staff,” says Dr Coleman.

“Portals enable patients to access their personal health information whenever they need it. Patients can book appointments, request repeat prescriptions, and message staff securely from their laptop or smartphone.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says today’s signing of the care and support workers’ $2 billion pay equity settlement in an important milestone.

Dr Coleman and representatives from the Ministry of Health, ACC, DHBs and Unions, along with care worker Kristine Bartlett, signed the historic settlement at Parliament today.

“The Government announced the $2 billion pay equity settlement for 55,000 care and support workers over five years in mid-April,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says this year’s theme for the annual immunisation week is ‘ensuring teenagers and older children are immunised.’

“Immunisation week gets underway today, and is a good way to raise awareness of the benefits of immunisation to both the individual and the wider community,” says Dr Coleman.

“This year’s theme is a reminder of the importance for older children and teens to either maintain the protection of their first immunisations or catch up on any they may have missed out on.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman congratulate organisers and participants on the outstanding success of the World Masters Games 2017 as the games draw to a close at a ceremony in Auckland today.

“The World Masters Games is the largest major event that New Zealand has hosted since the Rugby World Cup 2011,” says Mr Bridges.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the annual Health and Independence report that shows that overall, the health and disability system performs well for most New Zealanders.

“Our aim is that New Zealanders live longer, healthier, and more independent lives, and this report shows the progress that has been made,” says Dr Coleman.

“Life expectancy, health expectancy, and immunisation rates are outcome measures and all show improvements in this report.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Food Safety Minister David Bennett have welcomed steps to enhance New Zealand’s ability to respond to the growing global issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“Like other countries, New Zealand has seen a rise in antibiotic resistant infections and it is important that we develop a clear plan to reduce AMR,” says Dr Coleman.

“Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an additional $18 million has been approved for the Christchurch Hospital Acute Services Building.
 
“Supporting the rebuild in Canterbury is a key Government priority. We’re committed to ensuring Cantabrians receive the health services they need,” says Dr Coleman.
 
“The Acute Services Building is already the largest Government project in the Canterbury rebuild, and this additional $18 million takes the total project to $463 million.
 

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced an additional $500,000 investment to boost the post-earthquake support package for North Canterbury and Marlborough families.

“The Government is committed to ensuring the people of North Canterbury and Marlborough can access the health services that they need following the 14 November earthquake,” says Dr Coleman.

“We know that after a serious earthquake, people can feel stressed and anxious for a long time after the event. The psychosocial recovery needs of the communities will change over time.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman have today welcomed the World Masters Games 2017 to New Zealand.

The World Masters Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world, with New Zealand set to host 28 sports, 45 disciplines and more than 28,000 participants from 100 countries.

Under the Major Events Development Fund, the Government has invested $11 million into the event, making it the largest investment from the fund to date.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today opened Waitemata DHB’s new $9.9 million outpatient clinic at North Shore Hospital.

“The new fit-for-purpose $9.9 million outpatient facility at North Shore Hospital will provide enough capacity to support future service growth over the coming years,” says Dr Coleman.

“The outpatient clinic, Kahui Manaaki, translates to ‘cluster of kindness’, which reflects key services being brought together which will help ensure patients receive better quality of care.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today announced that some of the health sector’s lowest paid workers will share in a $2 billion pay equity settlement over five years.

The wage boost follows the TerraNova pay equity claim brought by E tū (previously the Service and Food Workers Union) on behalf of care worker Kristine Bartlett.

“This settlement recognises the work carried out by the 55,000 workers in our aged and disability residential care, and home and community support services across the country,” says Dr Coleman.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have today launched the Rugby 2017 Festival.

“Rugby 2017 Festival is a program of engaging activities for fans that will run alongside the DHL New Zealand Lions Series in June and July,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Festival will provide a chance for communities and fans to enjoy the series which is a unique occasion to enjoy and celebrate rugby and reinforce our ability to host major events and showcase New Zealand to the world.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have acknowledged the generosity of sporting legend Sir Peter Snell in gifting medals and memorabilia to the nation.

“Sir Peter stands out as the first New Zealander to win and defend multiple Olympic medals. These and many other accomplishments give him a significant place in our sporting history,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more kids are seeing their doctors.

"We want to ensure young Kiwis get the best possible start in life. Removing the cost barrier of doctor visits and prescription charges is having a really positive impact on many families," says Dr Coleman.

“The latest Ministry of Health data shows that the average number of visits for under 13s has increased almost 14 per cent between July and December 2016, compared with the same period in 2014.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Education Minister Hekia Parata have welcomed the appointment of Professor Grant Schofield, as the Ministry of Education’s first Chief Education Health and Nutrition Advisor.

“Obesity is a serious issue threatening the health of young New Zealanders, which means some of our kids could end up living shorter lives than their parents,” says Dr Coleman.

“In 2014/15 11 per cent of all children aged 2-14 years were obese. The figures for Maori and Pacific children were 15 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today released the draft suicide prevention strategy for consultation.

“Suicidal behaviour affects a significant number of people every year, and has substantial impacts on the individual as well as on their families, friends, and wider community,” says Dr Coleman.

“Our suicide rate is too high with approximately 500 deaths a year. I’m particularly worried about the rates for youth, and specifically Maori and Pacific young people.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the number of registered nurses working in mental health and addictions services has increased at a higher rate for then other areas of nursing.

“It’s important people can access the appropriate mental health and addiction services that they need,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith have welcomed 11 ground-breaking projects that have won $1.65 million in explorer grants from the Health Research Council (HRC).

“The Government supports research that leads to improved health outcomes and more effective delivery of healthcare for New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today launched the annual influenza immunisation campaign at Unichem Miramar Pharmacy, Wellington.

“More than one million New Zealanders get immunised against influenza each year,” says Dr Coleman.

“A recent New Zealand study showed that most people infected with influenza in 2015 didn’t experience any symptoms, but could still have spread the virus without realising it.