Latest from Ministry of Health

Missing for 6 weeks: Patient found dead

Two investigations are under way into the suspected suicide of a mental health patient who had fled a psychiatric hospital and was missing for weeks.

Gastro water inquiry underway

Work to uncover answers on the Havelock North water contamination incident which caused over 5000 people to become ill is under way

Asbestos exposure while washing clothes

A cancer patient is pleading with the Government to fund treatment for everyone exposed to asbestos.

Stuttering no laughing matter

COMMENT: The first time our son stuttered I burst out laughing. By the next day he could barely get a word out at all and it wasn't a laughing matter.

New controls proposed for junk-food ads

A proposed voluntary code on advertising to children features explicit restrictions on advertising of "occasional" foods and beverages.

Survivor calls for better mental care

New Zealand needs to provide much better care for the mentally ill, says a man who was rescued from a bid to take his own life.

Suicide tally reaches new high

Death rate consistent but still unacceptably high, judge says

Rise of P addicts: 'We are in an epidemic'

Methamphetamine addicts are flooding New Zealand's rehab services, with some reporting an 80 per cent surge in demand for services in the last six months.

Family 'dismayed' over Ashley Peacock proposal

Health authorities are considering plans to move mental health patient Ashley Peacock, to the dismay of his parents.

Baby concerns: Midwives vs doctors

Babies born under the care of midwives have suffered higher rates of damage than those whose mothers were looked after by doctors, according to new research.

CDHB shortfall blows out to $35m

The cash-strapped Canterbury District Health Board's money problems have got worse.

Ambulance funding crisis hurting elderly

Patients are being harmed by the deteriorating finances of ambulance services, a paramedics' group says.

Cervical screening to end for under-25s

The National Screening Unit will end cervical smear tests for women aged 20-25 in 2018 citing "a strong body of evidence" showing the procedure may be causing more harm than good.

Opinion: E-cigarettes could help smokers

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

Huge growth in use of online patient portals

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

Gastro outbreak: 'DHB coping well'

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