Karen Brown
Health officials urge older people to be more active
Health officials are urging people over the age of 65 to look for ways to become more physically active, for the sake of their own health. Audio
Academic says campaign for patients raises fairness issues
A communications firm backing patients campaigning for a costly new drug has admitted it's being paid by the maker of the drug. Audio
Patients with rare disease demand funding for new drug
Eight patients with a rare blood disease are calling on the drug-buying agency Pharmac to fund what they say is a life-saving medicine. Audio
TPP casts shadow over Pharmac's medical device buying
The drug-buying agency Pharmac is preparing to more than double its role as it takes over the buying of all hospital and other medical devices. Audio
British Medical Journal publishes Sugar facts
Otago University researchers who say cutting down on sugar has a small but significant effect on the body weight of adults. Audio
Report calls for stronger leadership from Health Ministry
The Health Ministry is being told it must lift its game if the health sector is to solve the big problems it faces. Audio
Outspoken for 11 January 2013
Karen Brown asks how much longer can New Zealand afford its public health system. Audio
Health leaders call for public input into funding options
Health leaders say debate is needed about the future of public healthcare before the current system becomes too costly and changes are urgent. Audio
Survey shows effort needed to encourage health leadership
Doctors and nurses are taking on more leadership jobs in hospitals. Audio
North Island hospitals struggle to share patients' records
Public hospitals in much of the North Island are struggling to adopt electronic systems that enable patients' health records to be shared. Audio
Union seeks pay for home workers' travel between jobs
A union is taking legal action in a bid to get home-care givers paid, for the time they spend travelling between clients. Audio
New mental health unit on Auckland's North Shore
Auckland's North Shore hospital has been given the go-ahead to build a new 25 million dollar mental health unit. Audio
Quality experts say rise in in-patient suicide not a trend
A five-fold increase in suspected suicides by public hospital in-patients is being put down to a bad year, and not part of a trend. Audio
Aged care groups form coalition to press for pay changes
Groups working in aged care are joining forces to demand the government provide extra funding to ensure resthome workers are paid the same as hospital staff doing similar work. Audio
Bowel cancer found in more than 33 in first year of pilot
The country's first screening programme for bowel cancer has detected the cancer in more than 33 people in its first year. Audio
Nurses upset over second pilot with new workforce group
A second trial is about to get under way of a hotly debated new kind of health worker known as a physician assistant. Audio
Flu viruses sending more people to hospital
Health researchers say flu viruses are causing more hospital admissions than they had thought. Audio
Public health watchdog faults DHB, psychiatrist over care
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board and a psychiatrist have been criticised today for failing in their care of a deeply disturbed mental health patient who committed suicide in 2010. Audio
Mental health help goes online for Facebook generation
A new online mental health service aimed at helping the Facebook generation is being launched today. Audio
Fertility experts warn that time for a family will run out
Fertility experts are warning those aged between 20 and 35 not to put off having children too long, or it might not be possible. Audio
