Latest FromMinistry of Health
![Smoke testers call for outdoor ban](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Smoke testers call for outdoor ban
Smoking researchers say NZ's top priority should be banning smoking in cars with child passengers.
![NZ children's dental health still among worst](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NZ children's dental health still among worst
The dental health of young children continues to be among the worst in the developed world, figures reveal.
![Christchurch quake: Hospitals in north take in casualties](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Christchurch quake: Hospitals in north take in casualties
North Island hospitals are receiving Christchurch earthquake victims and plan to send specialists to help in the devastated city.
![Three fold increase in doctors heading to Oz - recruiters](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Three fold increase in doctors heading to Oz - recruiters
A medical recruitment company claims to have seen a 300 per cent rise in New Zealand doctors leaving to find better pay in Australia in the last year.
![Pupils face two-week stand-down over measles](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Pupils face two-week stand-down over measles
Parents are being warned that unimmunised children will have to stay away from school for up to two weeks if they come into contact with measles.
![Cost of sleepover decision $500m plus - Ryall](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Cost of sleepover decision $500m plus - Ryall
Paying overnight staff to sleep will cost more than $500 million over three years and changing the law may be considered, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.
![Doctor shortage reaches 'crisis' level](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Doctor shortage reaches 'crisis' level
A spiralling shortage of doctors has sparked a warning of future "severe safety issues" in New Zealand hospitals, with predictions that patients could suffer from increasing medical mistakes and treatment delays without urgent action.
![Call for cigarette display ban this year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Call for cigarette display ban this year
Visible cigarette advertising displays will go within nine months following tobacco law changes, if public health officials get their way.
!['Unsafe' newborn practice still being pushed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Unsafe' newborn practice still being pushed
Parents of newborn babies are receiving conflicting messages about sleeping with their newborn babies.
![Breastfeeding study and baby food firms link revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Breastfeeding study and baby food firms link revealed
Scientists who cast doubt on the safety of exclusively breastfeeding babies until six months allegedly have links to baby food companies.
![Parental lessons may miss most in need](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Parental lessons may miss most in need
Thousands of New Zealand parents are going back to school to learn how to be better parents - but experts still do not know if the multiple programmes are reaching the parents who most need them.