Latest fromMinistry of Health
![Dry July begins: How we can curb alcohol harm in New Zealand](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Dry July begins: How we can curb alcohol harm in New Zealand
Reform could be on the cards as the Government reveals five new health targets.
!['A void in our house': Father of four dies before Pharmac funding breakthrough](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'A void in our house': Father of four dies before Pharmac funding breakthrough
Clark's family collected aluminium cans to sell as scrap for his medicine.
![Auckland Hospital's elsewhere invitation to pregnant women: ‘Disturbing’ or ‘long-overdue’?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Auckland Hospital's elsewhere invitation to pregnant women: ‘Disturbing’ or ‘long-overdue’?
'I think it is really inappropriate … I find the letter disturbing,' says expert.
![A royal compromise: Why Covid inquiry chair is leaving](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
A royal compromise: Why Covid inquiry chair is leaving
Government reveals an inelegant solution to an untenable Covid inquiry problem.
![Auckland Hospital tells women to expect to be discharged 3-4 hours after giving birth](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Auckland Hospital tells women to expect to be discharged 3-4 hours after giving birth
A maternity advocate says the letter sent to expectant mums is 'manipulative'.
![Thomas Coughlan: Think the Budget is over? $85 billion says you’re wrong](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Thomas Coughlan: Think the Budget is over? $85 billion says you’re wrong
OPINION: Details of the biggest health spend-up in NZ's history are imminent.
![Herald podcast host wins media award for weight loss surgery investigation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Herald podcast host wins media award for weight loss surgery investigation
Chewing the Facts explored the myths around obesity, fatness and weight loss.
![Pharmac Minister won't guarantee National’s 13 cancer drugs will be funded](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Pharmac Minister won't guarantee National’s 13 cancer drugs will be funded
David Seymour's comments put him at odds with the Health Minister.
![Health watchdog taking years to investigate complaints - amid ‘significant pressure’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Health watchdog taking years to investigate complaints - amid ‘significant pressure’
Covid backlog, ancient IT system part of problem, but upgrade request for latter rejected.
![‘I won’t be able to make it to Germany’: Young law student’s plea for surgery in NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
‘I won’t be able to make it to Germany’: Young law student’s plea for surgery in NZ
Not everyone has the means to raise $180,000 to travel overseas for surgery, student says.
![Govt invests $30m to improve access to X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Govt invests $30m to improve access to X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds
The Government is putting $30m towards free and timely access to radiology services.
![Luxon calls Te Pāti Māori claims 'pretty concerning', Stats NZ launches probe](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Luxon calls Te Pāti Māori claims 'pretty concerning', Stats NZ launches probe
Stats NZ is investigating allegations of misuse of Census data.
![GP sounds alarm over hospital delays: ‘We don’t know what the real wait time is’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
GP sounds alarm over hospital delays: ‘We don’t know what the real wait time is’
Patients are told they'll be seen in six weeks, but wait months.
![Mike King lashes ‘d***heads throwing s***’ over charity funding](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Mike King lashes ‘d***heads throwing s***’ over charity funding
King reflects on a 'stressful week' since I Am Hope's funding announcement.
!['Really hectic': Middlemore Hospital ED under strain with ambulance ramping, bed waits](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Really hectic': Middlemore Hospital ED under strain with ambulance ramping, bed waits
There were reports of long waits for a bed and patients in corridors.
![Pseudoephedrine cold and flu medicines back on shelves](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Pseudoephedrine cold and flu medicines back on shelves
Associate Minister David Seymour said there would be safeguards in place.
![Psychotic Mt Albert killer detained as special patient as family remember student victim](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Psychotic Mt Albert killer detained as special patient as family remember student victim
Friends and family of Tom Coombes told the killer of their anguish at a hearing today.
!['Reducing by stealth': Patients months overdue to see medical specialists](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Reducing by stealth': Patients months overdue to see medical specialists
A GP worries the initiative is 'reducing the waitlist by stealth'.
![Pharmacies investigated for allegedly giving unnecessary immunisations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Pharmacies investigated for allegedly giving unnecessary immunisations
At one pharmacy, elderly patients getting a flu shot were also given child vaccinations.
![Northland nurses 'drowning' in work call for safer staffing levels](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Northland nurses 'drowning' in work call for safer staffing levels
One Whangārei nurse says the mental health of her over-worked colleagues is a concern.
![Bowel cancer rates rise in under-50s, calls for lower screening age](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Bowel cancer rates rise in under-50s, calls for lower screening age
Govt will lower the bowel cancer screening age to 55.