A stolen handbag containing names of hundreds of patients who had undergone a sensitive medical procedure was one of a record number of data breaches reported in the past year.

Cardiac arrest patients cared for by New Zealand's largest ambulance provider have a markedly lower chance of surviving than those under the service covering Wellington and the Wairarapa.

They consider Canberra home but this New Zealand family are struggling to make ends meet after having support for their autistic son withdrawn.

Orion Health Group first-half loss was expected, as a weaker kiwi dollar and recurring revenue in North America lifted sales by 26 percent.

Nutrition experts say Labour's policy to reduce sugar in foods is a good move, but a sugar tax on fizzy drinks is an essential step.

Anaesthetists say the levels of stress they face in their job are comparable to the pressures felt by soldiers and Olympic athletes.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's sales could be nudging the $2 billion mark within a decade if the company's bullish growth projections become a reality.

Public health campaigners have made quite an effort this year to persuade the Government to introduce a selective tax on sugar.

A midwife's competence has been questioned after she failed to arrange urine testing for a woman who was later diagnosed with a life-threatening condition that necessitated an emergency caesarean birth.

An elderly woman with dementia was given four times her proper dose of antipsychotic medication for nine days before anyone noticed the error.

Three provincial North Island hospitals have unexpectedly high death rates, according to data released to the Herald after a two-year wait.

A drug brought to light by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC could help restore memory in Alzheimer's patients, scientists hope.

A young woman was badly burned and feared she may never have children after a horrifying medical blunder - and then offered a $50 fuel voucher by way of apology.

An Auckland teen living with the side-effects of a brain tumour has been chosen as the face of hope by a cancer charity.

What linguists call prosody describes the variations in timing, pitch and stress patterns in speech that help people convey meaning and emotion.

New World has donated a number of the full sets, complete with mini ovens and barbecue grills, for young patients to try their hand at "cooking".

More than 220 students have come forward this week with fresh claims of abuse and bullying from medical professionals.

Auckland City Hospital has cancelled some elective surgery due today, because of the high number of patients requiring admission from winter-related illnesses.

A lengthy legal battle could take an emotional and financial toll on the family of a brain damaged Wellington boy: Legal expert.

The capital's health board has been blamed for a young boy's brain damage and quadriplegia because of meningitis that was missed by two doctors.

A two-year-old Wellington boy severely brain damaged after a hospital twice failed to diagnose him, remains in hospital suffering from a chest infection.

It beggars belief that any nurses employed in public hospitals would be allowed to decline vaccinations against winter flu.

Three Waikato Hospital nurses have been suspended for defying a controversial new policy forcing non-vaccinated workers to either get flu jabs or wear face masks.

A cannabis spray used to treat epilepsy, pain and multiple sclerosis will be considered for public funding next month.

An inspection of Waikato District Health Board's mental health service has been announced following the arrest of a man working as a psychiatrist.

The Minister for Health says he has serious concerns after a health board staffer working as a psychiatrist was fired and arrested for possible identity fraud.

Some Kiwis are travelling as far as India for operations, complaining of long waiting lists and high costs at home.