Latest fromMinistry of Health
<i>Gareth Morgan:</i> It's time for medical leaders to step up
Despite our best efforts, the public health system delivers services in an unfair and arbitrary fashion.
First NZ swine flu death this year
A Bay of Plenty woman is believed to be the country's first death from swine flu this year.
<i>Gareth Morgan:</i> Best treatment goes to the loudest
The way the limited resources of our public health system are allocated across those in need is increasingly ad hoc and unfair.
NZers descend on Tuvalu for aid exercise
A double-pronged aid effort is getting up a head of steam in Tuvalu this week, as more than 300 New Zealand Defence Force staff descend on the tiny nation north of Fiji and nearly 4000km from New Zealand.
MP's bill aims for abortion on demand
An MP has taken the controversial step of proposing a new law to legalise abortion on request for women up to 24 weeks pregnant.
Cash injection for Hutt Valley DHB
The Hutt Valley District Health Board is getting a cash injection of $8.6 million.
Prison smoking ban to kick in next July
Corrections Minister Judith Collins today announced prisoners have 12 months to kick the smoking habit before a total ban comes in.
Prisons to become smoke-free from next year
Department of Corrections bosses found taxpayers could be liable for lawsuits from prison guards exposed to inmates' second-hand smoke.
Call for synthetic-cannabis controls
Drug control groups want a tightening of laws relating to synthetic cannabis products.
Mixed messages on babies in bed
Calls for mothers to stop sleeping with their newborn children are being ignored by some hospitals and birthing centres.