News
Health NZ promises bonuses for senior doctors in short-staffed areas
But the union says the agency fails to consistently pay existing allowances now.
Senior doctors say Health NZ offer amounts to 'pay cut'
The union for senior doctors was doubtful the 5500 members would find the new offer acceptable.
Nurses' strike: 4300 patient appointments, procedures postponed
Health NZ has work underway to rebook about 4300 patient appointments and procedures, which had to be postponed due to the 24-hour nurses' strike.
Strike not just about money, nurses say, as 36,000 walk off job
More than 36,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants are set to walk off the job for 24 hours from 9am Wednesday. Audio
Risks identified with Gumboot Friday's 'fee-for-service' model
Gumboot Friday's youth counselling initiative has had its $6m annual contract renewed, despite health officials identifying ongoing risks.
Healthworkers want MPs to waive private health insurance
A group of specialists, nurses, GPs, and paramedics says politicians should rely on the public health system they're in charge of. Audio
No national funding for programme that could get patients off surgery waitlists
A five-month trial saw physiotherapists triage and treat more than 1200 orthopaedic patients in six regions, each of whom had been waiting over a year for a specialist appointment. Audio
'No' doesn't always mean 'never' when it comes to vaccination - top doctor
Caroline McElnay says the government's immunisation targets are still achievable, but only if health providers can gain the trust of vaccine-sceptical parents.
Vaccine hesitancy growing in at-risk communities
A health provider says they're up against anti-vaccination misinformation on social media. Audio
Anti-red tape bill a health risk, doctors say
The ACT Party's "red tape-busting" Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB) threatens to harm patients by undermining the public health system, health experts are warning.
Wellington Hospital cuts maternity and gynaecology beds for ED
It's a trial aimed at making more room for patients from the overcrowded Emergency Department, according to a leaked memo. Audio
Burst pipe floods central Wellington street
A burst water main in central Wellington has caused a street to flood and sent a large plume of brown out into the harbour.
Patients increasingly diagnosed with bowel cancer in ED
Eugene Fayerberg is not a cancer specialist, but says he and his colleagues are increasingly the ones to find cancer in patients coming into ED. Audio
Wait for cancer drugs could become longer for public patients
Doctors warn patients in the public health system could end up waiting longer if those with insurance are prioritised.
Taxpayer to foot the bill for cancer drugs for private patients
The decision to let private patients have publicly-funded cancer drugs could make wait times worse, Labour says. Audio
More cuts proposed at Ministry for Culture and Heritage
The axe is hovering over historians and staff who create digital content used by schools and the public.
Teenager starves to death alone in emergency accommodation
The 17-year-old's parents say multiple agencies failed their child.
Hospice funding crisis: Collapse of services could cost taxpayers millions
Hospices are warning critical services for the dying are under threat, with nothing for palliative care providers in the Budget. Audio
Expanded Lower Hutt medical centre to cater for 'daylight hours'
The new clinic will be housed at the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre from July.
Sharp jump in Covid-19, respiratory infections
Data shows flu and Covid infections are on the rise, with a sharp jump in hospitalisations for severe respiratory infections across Auckland. Audio
After heavy downpours, more rain and snow forecast
Temps across the South Island were forecast to peak to mid-single digits this weekend - and the North Island will be feeling the cold too.
'Missed opportunity': No extra funding for dying kids in Budget
Meila Davis died of bone cancer at age 13. Her mother is gutted about last week's Budget.
'Creative ploy': Health budget boost half of size claimed - expert
A leading health systems expert is questioning the government's claim of a "record investment". Audio
Are heart patients worse off in Northland than Auckland?
The latest Health NZ data reveals more Northlanders are waiting over three months for a first specialist appointment, but the agency says there is "no difference in the thresholds for treatment". Audio
'When did it become okay?': Budget leaves blood cancer patients behind
No new funding for blood cancer medicines in Budget 2025 denies patients acces and causes harm, say patients, advocates and doctors.
