COMMENT: Government now have time to look at the scientific evidence suggesting nicotine e-cigarettes could benefit New Zealand's half million smokers.

Use of medical patient portals - an online way to manage your health - has grown by 61 per cent in New Zealand over the last six months

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is operating well despite increasing demands caused by the gastro outbreak, the Ministry of Health says.

The Mental Health Foundation believes there is an "urgent need" to investigate why a significant number of young people aren't coping.

Health officials believe the gastro bug that has made thousands of Havelock North residents badly ill has peaked.

A major investigation has been launched into why a thousand people have been affected by contaminated water in Havelock North. The

Havelock North's water supply may be behind a vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak which is affecting a number of people in the area.

Flu consultations are way below average this winter but health experts warn the worst could be yet to come.

Three intellectually disabled men are suing Govt for upwards of $100,000 each, alleging human rights abuses while in state care.

A Westport family had to take their elderly relative to Buller Hospital on Tuesday night because a St John ambulance couldn't come for 90 minutes.

The business case for the proposed national bowel screening programme was "poorly developed" according to a Treasury email.

The Ministry of Health has defended its stance on refusing to fund a Maori safe-sleeping device.

A Maori health target for sudden infant death was lowered by officials because it was too difficult to achieve. However, experts claim this is "laughable".

The Ministry of Health refuses to fund a simple sleeping pod for babies so they might more safely sleep alongside their mothers.

COMMENT: It's important to sort the fact from the fiction when thinking what Natural Health Products Bill really means for consumers and the industry.

Carers take on Government in court appeal for a minimum wage.

Fast-acting parents are thought to have curbed the spread of whooping cough from a Christchurch primary school.

Applications for a share of a new $7.9 million research fund to improve the treatment of conditions like diabetes and asthma have opened.

Intensive care doctors could be told if a dying person is an organ donor under proposed changes aimed at lifting donation rates in New Zealand.

Dr Murray Winiata has gone out on a limb to promote a controversial quit-smoking technique to his patients.

Patrick Wilson, aged 86, changed his GP - because the previous one didn't have a patient portal.

Medical experts are supporting of the Government's approach to prescribing cannabis-based products.

Patient portals are a secure, online way to help people manage and keep track of their health 24/7.

Documents released to the Labour Party showed the funding gap at these DHBs ranged between $500,000 and nearly $2 million.

A mother is still battling the Government in court over pay for the care of her disabled son, despite repeated decisions in her favour.

To demand "savings" from the country's district health boards is good economics but brave politics.

As world gambling experts gather in Auckland this week, the biggest threat on their minds is now online betting.

More pharmacists could end up prescribing medicines under Ministry of Health plans.

New documents reveal serious flaws in New Zealand's ability to contain an outbreak of Ebola or other deadly diseases.

A Ministry of Health email blunder has spilled private medical information of 24,000 Kiwis.