Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today marked the completion of Waitemata DHB’s $9.8 million expansion at Waitakere Hospital.
“This ambitious $9.8 million development has transformed Waitakere Hospital into a state-of-the-art facility for this community,” says Dr Coleman.
“The development includes a new paediatric zone, acute mental health rooms, eleven new treatment spaces and two specialty isolation rooms for infection control.”
A record number of Pacific Health Scholarships will be awarded this year, Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner says.
The scholarship programme, funded by the Ministry of Health, aims to help build the number of Pacific people in the health and disability workforce.
“Growing the Pacific health workforce is vital for delivering appropriate and effective services for Pacific people,” Ms Wagner says.
“This year a record 190 scholarships will be awarded, totalling more than $1.4 million.
Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner is welcoming new research that suggests kapa haka and speaking Te Reo may help older Māori avoid dementia.
In 2013, the Government invested $1.8 million in Life and Living in Advanced Age: a Cohort Study in New Zealand — Te Puâwaitanga O Ngâ Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu (LiLACS NZ) by the University of Auckland.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Education Minister Nikki Kaye have today welcomed the released updated physical activity guidelines for children and young people aged five to 17.
“Children and young people are encouraged to live an active lifestyle. To sit less, move more and sleep well to support their healthy development,” says Dr Coleman.
“The guidelines include new sleep recommendations as well as updated advice on regular physical activity and reducing sitting time.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more than one million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine have now been distributed.
“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,” says Dr Coleman.
“By being immunised, we not only protect ourselves, but we help to ensure we don’t pass on influenza to our families, friends and colleagues.
Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman awarded Sport Wellington with the first Governance Mark in Wellington yesterday.
“It is great that Sport Wellington have become the first to achieve the Governance Mark. This is a clear signal that its board is well-positioned for the future,” says Dr Coleman.
“The requirements to achieve the mark include having processes in place for director recruitment, clarity on roles, well-structured meetings and a culture of external accountability – it’s not a simple tick box exercise.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a record number of doctors and nurses are working in DHBs across the country.
“Our dedicated health workforce is making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders. More doctors and nurses in our DHBs means faster treatment and better experiences for patients and their families,” says Dr Coleman.
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.
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.
Trade Minister Todd McClay and Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner say we have been working closely with Australia in the fight for tobacco plain packaging laws and believe the World Trade Organisation (WTO) case will be important for New Zealand.
The WTO case, which is expected to be decided later this year, was launched in 2014 with New Zealand as a ‘third party’. New Zealand has presented evidence including appearing before the WTO Panel in Geneva.
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.
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.
Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner is welcoming new research about the care and support needs of older Maori.
In 2013, the Government invested $1.8 million in Life and Living in Advanced Age: a Cohort Study in New Zealand — Te Puāwaitanga O Ngā Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu (LiLACS NZ) by the University of Auckland.
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.
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.
