An American man who was paralysed in a swimming accident has become the first patient to move his hand using the power of thought after doctors inserted a microchip into his brain.

New Zealanders trying to sidestep doctors' fees while holidaying in Australia could soon be turned away from Sydney hospitals.

Kiwis attempting to sidestep doctor’s fees while holidaying in Australia could soon be turned away from Sydney hospitals.

Karyn Freer rewarded her family with smiles when she emerged from an operation to remove surgical mesh that scans showed was eating into the flesh below her belly button.

Hamilton's measles epidemic is growing with 53 cases confirmed including one where the person was fully immunised.

Mental health nurses are speaking out against brutal violence inflicted by their patients, including being punched, kicked, burnt and stabbed and choked.

One baby has died and 14 others are fighting for their lives after being poisoned in NHS neonatal care units in the UK.

Nearly 40 per cent of hospital staff report have been assaulted at work by patients or relatives of patients in the preceding year, a survey has found.

Today is International Day of the Midwife and we reflect on the changing face of midwives in New Zealand.

The National Health Service is to recruit scores of trainee doctors from India and waive normal competency tests to try to plug staff shortages in A&E departments.

The Waikato District Health Board has lifted its ban on women having their labours and births photographed professionally - provided no intervention is required.

A cleaning supervisor at an Auckland hospital was sacked for failing to ensure critical areas, including operating theatres, were properly cleaned.

When surgeons proposed amputating part of Renata Muunu-Te Tane's left leg to eradicate cancer, his parents were understandably shocked - but another shock was yet to come.

A giant Easter egg hunt kicked off yesterday to raise money for Starship children's hospital.

An uncle of a young mother who died six hours after giving birth says changes must be made so new midwives are mentored after graduating.

A young midwife has begrudgingly admitted she was out of her depth when a mother collapsed while trying to deliver her baby, an inquest has heard.

A young mother-to-be who fainted while giving birth was having an amniotic embolism that would kill her not long after, a medical expert says.

The lead maternity carer of a woman who died after giving birth told an inquest a family member threatened her saying: "You are going to pay for this, I'll hunt you down.''

A coroner has taken a midwife to task over failing to properly consult a woman about abnormalities with her baby's growth just days before she and the infant died.

An inquest has heard a young woman's medical notes seemed to be lacking when she arrived at hospital, haemorrahaging from childbirth and about to die.

As Casey Nathan was being rushed to hospital, she looked at her boyfriend, Hayden Tukiri, and said: "Babe, I'm gonna die."

A fired nurse has claimed another $3500 in her battle with the Auckland District Health Board.

Fifty years ago a hospital dedicated to women and their babies opened in Auckland. Andrew Stone talks to Linda Bryder, author of a new book on its chequered history

A midwife who made a catalogue of errors that led to the death of a newborn baby - and almost claimed the life of his mother - has apologised for the first time.

A report into a horrific labour that left the baby dead and the mother with debilitating injuries is critical of the midwife and the DHB obstetrician involved.

Drunk patients account for almost a third of those seeking emergency hospital treatment on Saturday nights, research shows.