Health
Release

Public feedback is being sought on whether New Zealand should sign up to an international agreement aimed at getting rid of the illicit trade in tobacco products.

“These illegal products are usually cheaper than legal tobacco, which is taxed. Smokers buying illicit products may be less inclined to quit and non-smokers may be more likely to take up smoking.The illicit trade in tobacco products results in lost government revenue through tax evasion, and can be used to fund other criminal activity,” Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Health
Release

Data released today about the use of Ministry of Health-funded disability support services will help ensure that disabled New Zealanders are receiving the best services, says Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

The demographic data, which has been made publically available for the first time, gives detailed information about the age, ethnicity, marital status, accommodation, deprivation levels and disability types of people using ministry-funded disability support services.

The data will put disabled people at the centre of decision-making, Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Nicky Wagner Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Health Disability Issues
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today launched Healthy Families East Cape at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae in Gisborne.

“Healthy Families NZ is about encouraging people to live healthier lives by making good food choices, being physically active, moderating alcohol consumption and being smoke-free,” says Dr Coleman.

“The programme challenges communities to think differently about how to address the underlying causes of poor health at a local level.”

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Today is Conversations that Count Day, and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne is urging New Zealanders both young and old to talk about the kind of care they would want if they were seriously ill or at the end of their life.

Conversations that Count Day, organised by the National Advance Care Planning Cooperative, urges people to break the ice and talk about future health care wishes with ‘your partner, a mate, with friends over lunch, or around the weekend barbie’.

Peter Dunne Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new report shows more women are receiving maternity care from the early stages of their pregnancy.

The Ministry of Health’s Report on Maternity provides statistics about women giving birth, their pregnancy, and information on babies in New Zealand.

It shows 63 per cent of women who registered with a LMC and gave birth in 2012 had registered in their first trimester - a 28 per cent increase on 2008. Over 90 per cent had registered with a LMC by the end of their second trimester.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Speech

Introduction

It’s great to be here to open the very first Faster Cancer Treatment Forum.

Thanks for taking the time to be here to share how we can further improve cancer services.

Cancer rates

Obviously cancer is a critical health issue for New Zealanders. It’s the country’s leading cause of death - cancer accounts for nearly a third of all deaths, and is a major cause of hospitalisation.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today officially opened the new $24.9 million mental health inpatient unit, He Puna Wâiora, in Auckland.

“The Government is committed to investing in world-class mental health facilities,” says Dr Coleman. 

“The old Taharoto Mental Health Unit in the North Shore had 35 acute beds in a 1950's ex-maternity building which was not fit for purpose.

“He Puna Wâiora means the pool of wellness, and this new purpose-built facility will better support both patients and staff.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga will travel to Fiji tomorrow to attend the 11th Pacific Health Ministers Meeting.

The biennial meeting will bring together ministers and health officials from Pacific nations and areas for three days.

“I look forward to meeting my counterparts from across the Pacific so that we may discuss regional health issues and consider ways of improving the health of all Pacific peoples,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new Before School Check resources aim to further increase participation in the free programme.

“The B4 School Checks programme gives children the best start at school by identifying and addressing any potential health or developmental problems at an early stage,” says Dr Coleman.

“We are on track again this year to reach the goal of checking 90 per cent of all four-year-olds.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says 75 new free drop-in sore throat clinics are now up and running in Waikato and Northland, and a further 55 clinics will soon be opening.  

“The Government has invested more than $65 million to prevent rheumatic fever. A range of initiatives are making a difference, but there is more work to be done,” says Dr Coleman.

“Targeted drop-in clinics in general practices, secondary schools and pharmacies offer easy access to free effective care for high risk children and young adults.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says Southern DHB has now completed the South Island’s rollout of eReferrals, enabling faster more accurate transfer of patient information.

“West Coast, South Canterbury and Nelson Marlborough DHBs replaced paper-based referrals with electronic referrals, and now Southern DHB has begun introducing the system,” says Dr Coleman.

“More than half a million patient referrals from a GP to a hospital specialist have been sent electronically since Canterbury DHB launched the eReferrals system in 2012.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says cases where a woman becomes seriously unwell during maternity care will now be audited by a panel of experts.

“It is important that new mothers and babies receive high quality care across New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.

“Safer maternity services are a priority for this Government – that's why in Budget 2012 we invested an extra $103 million over four years into improving maternity services.”

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says 29 infants and children with profound hearing loss have received two cochlear implants as a result of additional funding in Budget 2014.

“This week New Zealand is marking Hearing Week,” says Dr Coleman. “Cochlear implants are life changing. They can significantly improve children’s hearing and learning ability. The earlier they are fitted the better.”

Budget 2014 provided an extra $6.3 million over four years for a bilateral cochlear implants programme for children.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says $1.19 million in scholarship funding this year will help 118 Pacific tertiary students studying for health-related qualifications.

The Aniva Scholarships, previously known as the Pacific Health Workforce Awards, have just been awarded for 2015.

“The aim of the Aniva Scholarships is to achieve greater participation and success of Pacific students to enter the health and disability workforce,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga Health
Speech

Introduction

Thank you Clare. It’s great to be here today to open the 2015 Electives Forum. I’d like to acknowledge the other speakers addressing you today, including Andrew Connolly who will be up next.

The theme of this Forum “supporting quality, sustainability and innovation in electives” strongly aligns with my commitment to have more New Zealanders living pain free lives away from hospitals.

Priority area

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more mental health services are being offered to young people through their GP or primary care provider.

“We know the importance of making mental health services for young people accessible and relevant to their circumstances. It is important young people have the right support at the earliest opportunity,” says Dr Coleman.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the healthcare worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone has been officially cleared of having Ebola following a second negative test result.

“It is great news that the second test has come back negative,” says Dr Coleman. “In line with international protocols, a second test was required to rule out Ebola.”

“The patient remains in a stable condition, and will continue to be cared for in Christchurch Hospital. The patient’s partner has now been cleared to return to work.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the healthcare worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone has tested negative for the Ebola virus.

“Obviously this is great news,” says Dr Coleman. “I am advised that in line with established international protocols, a second test is required to confirm the result.

“We should have the results of the second test within 48 hours. It is highly unlikely that it will come back with a positive result.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the healthcare worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone is in a stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.
 
“The patient has settled in well after being admitted to hospital,” says Dr Coleman.
 
“The South Island based healthcare worker was able to walk to the helicopter and was transported in the specialist Iso-pod patient transfer unit.
 
“The patient is receiving medical care in one of the dedicated specialist medical isolation rooms in the hospital.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says New Zealand is well placed to respond to a patient who needs to be tested to rule out the Ebola 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.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Speech

It’s great to be here at this year’s New Zealand Rural Health Conference.

I’d like to thank the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network, the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand and the New Zealand Rural Hospital Network for organising this conference.

It’s great to see rural organisations working collaboratively and taking a multi-faceted approach to improving the lives of New Zealanders in rural communities.

Health overview

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today launched new video resources aimed at increasing the awareness and understanding of kidney disease.

“It is fitting that today on World Kidney Day we are highlighting kidney disease as it affects around 200,000 New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

The eight new Kidney Health New Zealand videos launched today feature patients talking about their experience of kidney disease. They deliver a lot of important technical information in an easy to understand format.

Jonathan Coleman Health
Release

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman say the Government is keen to optimise the role of the Health Research Council (HRC).

“The HRC is an important component of New Zealand’s science and innovation system. It plays a valued role in supporting our high performing health research sector,” says Mr Joyce. 

“A review is needed to identify how we can optimise the valuable contribution of the HRC. We want to ensure the HRC continues to deliver the right outcomes for New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

Jonathan Coleman Steven Joyce Science and Innovation Health
Speech

It is a pleasure to be back in Vienna this year for what is a particularly important stage in the build up to the UN General Assembly Special Session in 2016.

This is my 5th Visit to participate in the CND, signifying the importance to which New Zealand attributes to these sessions, and the global issue of narcotic drugs.

Compassion.  Innovation. Proportion. 

Peter Dunne Health