Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today turned the first sod at the site of the new $15.3 million national youth forensic mental health unit in Wellington.

“The Government recognised the need to improve specialist youth forensic mental health and addiction services in New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.

“We realised there was a need to invest in the bricks and mortar and the staff and services available to our vulnerable youth.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced the formation of a new steering group to explore optimising the role pharmacists play in community health care.

“Pharmacists are highly skilled and I want to ensure we are realising their potential as we move towards a more integrated health service,” says Dr Coleman.

The Pharmacy Steering Group will help develop clear priorities for pharmacy and provide advice to the Ministry of Health on how the role of pharmacists can be maximised.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the National Depression Initiative has won two major advertising awards at the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) Effectiveness awards in London.

“It is great to see New Zealand’s National Depression Initiative gain international recognition at the IPA awards,” says Dr Coleman.

“It is a tribute to the work of Sir John Kirwan, FCB New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Agency who co-manage the programme. The National Depression initiative has been highly successful.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says three people entering New Zealand were identified for self-monitoring as healthcare workers helping in the response in West Africa, and all have now been cleared.

“Since border screening for Ebola was introduced in New Zealand on 10 August, 74 people have been flagged,” says Dr Coleman.

“A traveller is flagged if they have been in an Ebola affected country within the last 30 days.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the ICC Cricket World Cup’s decision to appoint the Cancer Society as its official NZ charity partner.

“It is great to see the Cancer Society join up with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Cricket World Cup is one of the biggest international sporting events, and the ICC’s partnership in New Zealand with the Cancer Society is an excellent opportunity to promote the work of the Cancer Society to a large audience.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand Wairarapa DHB’s innovative approach to streamlining the region’s needs assessments.

“We want New Zealanders to live healthier lives away from hospitals,” says Dr Coleman.

“To ensure people have the independence they want, it is important they are getting the appropriate integrated needs assessments and support services.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today visited Capital and Coast DHB which has made good progress on the government’s shorter stays in emergency department target.

“Staff from across Capital and Coast DHB including clinicians and administrators have worked together to make significant progress on the shorter stays in emergency department target,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the annual report on Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2014 shows that public health and disability services continue to offer better access to safe and effective care.

“Waiting times are reducing, and services are increasingly being planned, managed, funded, and delivered in a sustainable way,” says Dr Coleman.

The report from the Health Minister shows the public health service continues to perform well against the Government’s Health Targets, and further deliver improvements in priority areas.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says government agencies remain prepared to deal with any potential Ebola cases in New Zealand.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we are taking every precaution to deal with the threat of Ebola,” says Dr Coleman.

“I am receiving daily updates on the situation both here in New Zealand and overseas, and officials are constantly updating the comprehensive measures we have in place as part of the international response to the threat of Ebola.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand how Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital is well prepared to treat any suspected Ebola patients.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a suspected case here,” says Dr Coleman.

“Middlemore Hospital is one of four major hospitals across New Zealand which are most likely to treat any suspected Ebola patients. Their new infectious diseases Biocontainment Unit is able to assess and manage patients with suspected highly infectious diseases.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new campaign to help New Zealanders recognise the signs of a stroke is being launched in Waikato today.

“Every day around 24 New Zealanders have a stroke, and a quarter occur in people under 65. High blood pressure and smoking put people at higher risk, but early detection and effective control of risk factors can greatly reduce the chance of a stroke,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new technology being used at Auckland City Hospital will enable more precise and faster radiotherapy treatment for people with cancer.

“Improvements in technology means less time in hospital for patients, and allows clinicians to focus radiotherapy precisely on the cancerous tissue,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes Northland’s decision to fund free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for under 13s.

“The Government is investing $90 million over three years from 1 July 2015 so all children aged under 13 years can receive free doctors’ visits and prescriptions,” says Dr Coleman.

“Northland’s two Primary Health Organisations (PHO), Manaia Health and Te Tai Tokerau, and Northland DHB have joined together to fund the early roll out of this initiative, which is expected to cost around $450,000.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says health and border authorities are well prepared to detect and respond to any potential cases of Ebola.

“We are treating the situation very seriously. While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a case here,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is encouraging people to have a conversation today about organ donation.

“Today is Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Day and I hope people will support Organ Donation New Zealand’s campaign by having a discussion with family about their wishes around organ donation,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is getting out of the Beehive to meet the health sector, starting with Southern District Health Board tomorrow.

“I will be visiting all 20 District Health Boards over the next few months to engage with doctors, nurses and management. As a doctor I know the value of clinicians in helping to drive progress in the health system,” says Dr Coleman.