A new report has shown 9 per cent of adults can not get the specialist care they need.

Two Kiwi women who took a pregnancy test linked to birth defects have come forward.

It's costing taxpayers almost $1m a year to keep Ashley Peacock behind locked doors.

The Government received reports of birth defects associated with Primodos in the 1970s.

Medsafe was seeking further information relating specifically to the hormone-based pill.

Medsafe is checking whether a pregnancy test linked to birth defects was used in NZ.

The rate of smoking in Whanganui has not changed in three years - despite almost $1.7 million being spent to stub out the habit. A

MPs are expecting furious opposition to proposals on fluoridated drinking water as public hearings kick off this week.

Microwave imaging could soon be available for breast screening to detect cancer.

COMMENT: The Environment Minister's promise to make 90 per cent of rivers swimmable by 2040 is a cynical sleight of hand, writes Gen Toop from Greenpeace.

The heartbroken mum of a baby who died of respiratory failure wants answers after she says only one of eight GP practices referred son to hospital.

HIV-positive figure's condom-free message clashes with international medical advice.

COMMENT: The Government's plan to clean up waterways is an attempt to look as though action's being taken, when in reality nothing's happening, says Mark Dye.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has called on doctors to have an "open mind" when deciding whether to prescribe cannabis and cannabinoid products.

DAN23972: LIFELINE: Anne Greatbatch (left), hearing therapist for the Life Unlimited Charitable Trust, with client Nikki Martin. PHOTO/CHRISTINE

The Government must step in to curb the marketing of unhealthy food to our children, a leading public health researcher argues.

Middlemore Hospital will receive cannabis products from medical marijuana company Tilray, it was revealed today.

Doctors have expressed concern that the changes could undermine the relationship between women and their GPs.

The Government appears set to remove a hurdle to getting access to medicinal cannabis in New Zealand.

Protesters want the legalisation of medicinal marijuana to be an election issue.

An autistic advocacy group says a 4four-year jail term for a Blenheim mother who killed her autistic daughter was "nowhere near enough". Autistic

A warning not to eat chilled oysters harvested from north of Auckland has been issued, as they may be contaminated with a gastro bug.

Midwives have complained that a lack of safe transfers from Central Otago and Queenstown to main centres is putting "women and babies at risk".

A high-tech tobacco product launched in New Zealand by Philip Morris is illegal, the Ministry of Health says.

A new awareness campaign about the HPV immunisation programme at schools was launched today.

Watch NZ Herald Focus: Henry Vaeoso is honouring the late Jonah Lomu with community driven aerobics.

A Northland council is warning residents to be weary of the water they buy to replenish rainwater tanks as they believe their supplies may be being siphoned and sold untreated.

Waikato Hospital does not have enough doctors and nurses to run its operating theatres at full capacity, resulting in between six and nine elective surgeries being put off each week.

The number of deceased organ donations and transplants has risen sharply in the past four years, says Organ Donation New Zealand.

Ministry to "review its position" on financial penalties to DHBs for strike-induced surgery delays.