Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says Health Benefits Limited (HBL) will be wound up and a new DHB owned company will implement the shared services programme from 1 July 2015.
“It is important to maintain momentum and progress the DHB shared services programmes to ensure substantial savings are freed up from the back office and reinvested into frontline health services,” says Dr Coleman.
New Zealand’s first social bond will aim to empower people with mental illness and support their families, Finance Minister Bill English and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman say.
Social bonds, in which the return for investors will be partially determined by whether or not agreed social targets have been achieved, will become another tool in the Government’s social investment approach that is aiming to improve the lives and prospects of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.
Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is urging smokers to make this Sunday the day they quit for good.
The theme of World Smokefree Day 2015 on Sunday is “It’s about whānau”.
“World Smokefree Day is an excellent opportunity to encourage whānau and friends to get behind those who want to quit smoking to improve their health and the health of those around them,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne is concerned at the use of untested and unapproved black-market psychoactive substances in the Auckland area, following recent reports of adverse reactions.
Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) test results suggest the substance in question may be MDMB-CHMICA, previously unknown in New Zealand, but responsible for numerous serious adverse effects reported overseas.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest quarterly health target results show the shorter stays in emergency departments target has been met for the first time.
“DHBs are continuing to improve their performance on the Government’s health targets,” says Dr Coleman.
“Across the country over 250,000 New Zealanders were admitted, discharged or transferred from an emergency department within six hours. Achieving the 95 per cent target for the first time is a significant achievement.
The revamped Lowdown website launched today will provide young people with more accessible and responsive online mental health support, says Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.
“It is estimated that one in six young people suffer from depression or anxiety. It is important young people have the right support at the earliest opportunity,” says Dr Coleman.
“The Lowdown website provides young people with the tools to be able to recognise when they are experiencing depression or anxiety, and it gives them the right information and support.
An extra $76.1 million will be invested over four years to provide more hospice and palliative care services for New Zealanders, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.
“Hospices make a huge difference to people's lives by ensuring terminally ill people are as free from pain and suffering as possible. They also provide valuable care and support for families and friends,” he says.
“As New Zealand’s population grows and ages, the demand for palliative care continues to increase.
Budget 2015 invests $12.4 million to extend the Waitemata District Health Board’s bowel cancer screening pilot to December 2017, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.
“A colonoscopy can identify whether a person has cancer or pre-cancerous growths. Bowel cancers found and treated early can save lives,” he says.
“More than 6,000 people have received a colonoscopy through the $24 million bowel screening pilot since January 2012. Early results from the pilot are positive and it is providing valuable information for the potential roll-out nationally.
New Zealand’s health budget will reach a record $15.9 billion in the coming year, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.
“It is important that all New Zealanders and their families have access to timely quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” he says. “Budget 2015 is investing around $1.7 billion in health over the next four years for new initiatives and to meet cost pressures and population growth.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a record number of doctors and nurses are working in District Health Boards across the country.
“Our dedicated health workforce is making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders day in and day out,” says Dr Coleman.
As of 31 March 2015 there were 7,648 doctor and 22,092 nurse full-time equivalents employed by DHBs – that’s 1,718 more doctors and 3,768 more nurses compared to 2008.
This includes 986 more senior doctors and 970 more senior nurses.
An updated Health of Older People Strategy will be completed by the end of the year, Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.
The updated strategy will take into account changes to the health and disability support service sectors since 2002, the emerging challenges faced by the healthcare system and the development of a new Health Strategy.
“The financial sustainability of our healthcare system is crucial. This is especially significant given our ageing population,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more than one million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine have now been distributed.
“This is the fourth year in a row where more than a million doses have been distributed,” says Dr Coleman. “New Zealanders are protecting themselves, their families and their communities from influenza.”
“This year, the influenza immunisation was delayed globally a few weeks so that two new vaccine strains could be incorporated.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government has approved a new specialist mental health facility for Counties-Manukau DHB.
“The Government is committed to investing in world-class mental health facilities,” says Dr Coleman.
“That’s why we’re investing $23.6 million into the development of a new acute mental health unit at Middlemore Hospital.
“The new 76-bed unit will replace the existing 52-bed acute mental health facility, Tiaho Mai.
An extra $98 million will be invested in Budget 2015 to provide more New Zealanders with timely elective surgery, and to improve the prevention and treatment of orthopaedic conditions, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says.
“Access to elective surgery is a top priority for the Government. Elective surgery makes a real difference to patients and their families – it reduces pain, increases independence, and improves quality of life,” Dr Coleman says.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says two new sector-based cancer leadership roles will ensure patients receive even better support and care.
Clare Greensmith has been appointed National Lead for the cancer psychological and social support workforce initiative, and Heidi Watson takes up the role of Clinical Leader, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Network Aotearoa.
“Budget 2014 provided an additional $4.5 million a year for improved psychological and social support for cancer patients,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new report shows the positive impact Kapiti Coast’s Youth One Stop Shop is having.
Today, Dr Coleman launched the report How we know what we’re doing works at Kapiti Youth Support’s (KYS) centre in Paraparaumu. The report uses the KYS youth outcomes model and measures developed in conjunction with Evaluation Works Ltd.
KYS is one of 11 Youth One Stop Shops supported under the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the 2015 rheumatic fever awareness raising campaign gets underway from today.
“Rheumatic fever is a serious disease which starts with a sore throat and can lead to lifelong heart problems,” says Dr Coleman.
“The Government is investing more than $65 million over six years to combat New Zealand’s rheumatic fever rates.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the second healthcare worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone and required testing to rule out Ebola has tested negative for the virus.
“Laboratory testing and clinical assessment has confirmed that the patient does not have Ebola,” says Dr Coleman. “The patient does not meet the clinical criteria for a second test to be required.”
“The patient’s condition has since improved and they have been discharged from Wellington Hospital.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a second healthcare worker recently returned from the international response to Ebola in West Africa is to be tested to rule out the virus.
“The patient has recently been in Sierra Leone as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the international response to Ebola,” says Dr Coleman.
“Since returning home to New Zealand, the patient has developed minor symptoms that require the Ebola virus to be ruled out. Test results will be available in 24 to 48 hours.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today launched a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of patient portals.
“Patient portals are a secure online site which gives New Zealanders access to their health information at any time of day,” says Dr Coleman.
“The portal site enables patients to manage aspects of their own healthcare, such as booking appointments, requesting repeat prescriptions and messaging clinical staff directly.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today launched the annual influenza immunisation campaign at Victoria University of Wellington’s Student Hub.
“The Government is committed to increasing influenza protection in New Zealand, especially among high risk groups,” says Dr Coleman.
“This year there is a particular focus on ensuring younger people with long term health conditions such as severe asthma or diabetes are protected.”
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and ACC Minister Nikki Kaye say the Greens have got it wrong on free under 13s doctor visits.
“We expect levels of uptake by general practices of the free under 13s scheme to be similar to uptake of the under 6s scheme,” says Dr Coleman.
