Stories by Ruth Hill

The burgeoning private healthcare industry claims its current building boom will "take pressure off the public system". Audio

But Keith Blayney says it's better than relying on the government's "flawed" funding system.

The sector is now in a perilous position after the resignation of Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati, doctors and colleagues say.

Heated flooring, 55-inch TVs and room service - Wellington's new hospital seems more like a five-star hotel than a health facility.

An Ōpōtiki woman who had an emergency caesarean section at Whakatāne Hospital says she fears for others, now the service is no longer available.

Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. Audio

Manawatū residents at higher risk of developing bowel cancer have been told they will not get their regular check-up colonoscopies for at least six months. Audio

All four specialists have resigned at Whakatāne Hospital, leaving midwives "sick" with worry: "What happens if something goes wrong?"

The successful programme for pregnant Māori and Pasifika and their babies in South Auckland has been forced to cut services, amid warnings of a whooping cough epidemic. Audio

The legislation is "completely inconsistent with expert advice and international law and best practice", associate professor says.

A group of mental health professionals say the new bill is just "the old act, with some new lipstick".

The public health system is making slow progress on achieving the government's health targets, with three actually getting slightly worse or flat-lining over winter.

Front-line healthworkers in Northland are being asked to "fill in" on reception to let overworked administration staff take toilet breaks. Audio

The Health Commissioner's claim that "overspending" is to blame for Te Whatu Ora's financial crisis has outraged health workers and their unions.

Gaps in care mean vulnerable patients may be "at increased risk of harming themselves or harming others". Audio

The Labour MP accused Lester Levy of "cooking the books" during a Select Committee.

Lester Levy will seek an apology from former Health Minister Ayesha Verrall after she suggested at Parliament that he had "reputation for cooking the books".

The Health Minister wants to work more closely with the private sector to cut waiting lists - but insists that is not a step towards privatisation.

Smart, beautiful and confident, Helen was a woman in complete control of her own life, until perimenopause plunged her into depression five years ago.

Labour says government targets are why so many patients cannot get onto hospital waiting lists, but some patients say this kind of rationing is nothing new. Audio

"It felt as though my hip was going to collapse," says Heather Tanguay, 80, while doctors say their referrals are now being rejected over a "lack of resources". Audio

Former inmates are speaking out to demand better mental health care for those currently imprisoned.

A "reset" to cut millions of dollars from the National Public Health Service will go ahead before Christmas, staff have been told.

Liz McGimpsey used to be sceptical of vaccination - until her daughter Freda contracted whooping cough at just four weeks old.

Mental health workers fear some prison inmates who are suicidal, psychotic or suffering other serious psychological problems will be left without support when their contracts end. Audio