Podcasts about Health minister

& sources reveal unions to ballot for strike action after pay offer from Health Minister

The Government is really spooked by this week's mega strike. With about 100,000 people expected to walk off the job on Thursday. If it wasn't spooked, we wouldn't have Public Service Minister Judith Collins writing this open letter to patients, students and families affected by the doctors, nurses, teachers, prison staff and other healthcare workers going on strike. It's a letter which, I think, ups the ante on the serve Health Minister Simeon Brown gave doctors last week over their involvement. Because what Judith Collins says in the letter, aside from how much the Government regrets the impact the strike is going to have on people - which it is, she's encouraging parents to do, what I would describe as, harassment of teachers. She's saying to parents - especially those with younger kids who are going to have to make alternative arrangements for the day because they can't leave the young ones at home on their own - that they should quiz teachers about the timing of their action. Why they're striking in a week when many schools already have teacher-only days and on a day so close to the Labour Day holiday on Monday. And I think this is so wrong. Because, if you've ever had kids at school, you will know that quite a few parents don't need any encouragement to have a go at the teachers. You always hear stories about parents hounding teachers about this and that. And, every now and then, you hear stories about people quitting teaching altogether because of the relentless hassle they get from parents. And the Government, with this open letter, is just encouraging more of that. It's calling the mega strike “politically-motivated”. But the Government stands accused of the exact same thing with this open letter. As well as the outburst last week from the Health Minister. One of the reasons the Government thinks it's politically-motivated is the secondary teachers union wanting to discuss Palestine when it met with the Education Minister. That was just dumb and didn't do their cause any good. But the Government just needs to accept that the mega strike is happening and it needs to stop this attack on people who are doing nothing illegal. They're fully within their rights to strike and this harassment has to stop. If you heard me last week criticising the firefighters for striking, because I thought it put us at unnecessary risk, then you might think it's a bit rich of me to be having a go at the Government today. The difference is, I'm not a government minister. More importantly, though, I wasn't encouraging anyone to confront the firefighters. Far from it. But that's what the Public Service Minister is doing. The teachers shouldn't have to defend themselves to nagging parents and the Government shouldn't be egging them on. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister has taken a deep dive into the pay packets and perks of senior doctors during a speech at their annual conference. Simeon Brown accused them of crossing an "ethical line" for choosing strike action. Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sarah Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

Also, first reaction from BMA Chair Dr Alan Stout the winter pressure plan from the DOH

A new plan for the treatment of endometriosis in Ireland is set to be announced over the weekend by the HSE.As it's been discussed before on this show, endometriosis is a disease that affects women, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows instead in other parts of the body.This can lead to patients suffering from chronic, debilitating pain.The Health Minister has previously acknowledged that endometriosis care in Ireland has been underfunded, under-researched, and is not widely understood.This new plan is set to address these new issues, but what provisions does it need to include?Joining Andrea to discuss is Cate O'Connor, Co-Founder of MISE, an educational programme for Irish schools, as well as listeners.

Former Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has criticized the NDC government, accusing it of failing to complete or make operational any of the Agenda 111 hospital projects initiated under the previous administration

Health Minister Simeon Brown has scolded senior doctors in a take-no-prisoners address to their annual conference in Wellington today. In his speech, he accused them of crossing an "ethical line" for choosing strike action, and said they were putting politics before patients. But his words were met with groans, laughter and cries of disbelief from the couple of hundred specialists packing the room - some of whom will be walking off the job again next week over deadlocked contract negotiations. Ruth Hill was there and sent this report.

Dr Tanya Wilton is an ED doctor at Hutt Hospital. She tells Lisa Owen it was shocking to hear the Health Minister accuse senior doctors of being unethical over strike action.

Nolan talks to Unison's Patricia McKeown and Ulster University's Prof Deirdre Heenan.

The Health Minister must query the Ghana Health Service over their delay in recruiting nurses and midwives despite financial clearance. - Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, MP for Effiduase/Asokore

Bowel cancer is New Zealand's second biggest cancer killer. Yesterday, the Health Minister confirmed changes to the free bowel screening criteria. From Monday, the starting age for screenings will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island. The rest of the North Island will follow in March 2026. Health Minister Simeon Brown speaks to Tim Beveridge. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister has indicated that HIQA is not prioritising a new hospital for the MidWest, despite including it in its recommendations following a landmark review of the region's emergency capacity. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has told the Dáil that the health watchdog believes expanding services at Dooradoyle or extending the campus would be a less costly and time consuming option than building a new hospital. In the meantime, the first of the two new 96 bed blocks, which will increase UHL's capacity in real terms by 71, is expected to open imminently. Responding to Clare TD Cathal Crowe, the Health Minister says it could open this week.

The Health Minister is celebrating shorter wait-times, faster treatment and more timely access to care for patients. New figures from April to June this year, show the government's progress towards its five key health targets for 2030 with shorter stays in emergency departments just shy of its milestone. But there are some targets falling well short of where the government hoped they would be. Child immunisation rates are among them with Northland significantly lower than other regions and the opposition says it highlights why adopting targets when it comes to healthcare is problematic. Political reporter Tu Whenuaroa Natanahira has this report.

Faster access to primary and specialist mental health and addiction care is having a flow-on effect. The latest data shows nearly 84% of people are accessing primary care within a week, surpassing the government's target, while 80.3% are accessing specialist support within three weeks. Some regions, including Northland, Gisborne and Nelson Marlborough don't meet either of the targets. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Ryan Bridge the work continues, but it's good to see some signs of improvement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The health minister says New Zealanders are now getting more timely access to care. Simeon Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Health Minister acknowledges more work's needed to ensure the Government's targets are met in every region. Data shows there's been improvements around cancer treatment access, childhood immunisation rates, ED stays, and wait times. But regional averages paint a different picture, with Counties Manukau and Auckland going backwards in ED wait times. Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking that decrease is due to localized factors. He says there's been a significant increase in people turning up to those hospitals' EDs, which has an impact on wait times. Child immunisation rates have seen the biggest lift among the targets. The proportion of children fully immunised by age two is up more than five points, to 82 percent. Brown told Hosking significant work is going into lifting immunisation rates to avoid declines like those seen in the US. He says they're investing more money and working with primary care, but adds that some regions need more work. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The government's announced 120 million dollars will go into hospital upgrades, and to help under pressure EDs, as senior doctors prepare to strike this week. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A $100million dollar boost is being put towards upgrading clinical spaces and key infrastructure, at hospitals across the country. Health Minister Simeon Brown's announced the investment for 21 local projects - ranging from more clinical space in emergency departments to extra carparks. Health New Zealand's also allocating $20million dollars to increasing frontline ED staff. Minister Simeon Brown says most of the projects will be delivered next year and into 2027. He says they want to make the current facilities more efficient and deliver more care - it will also provide a number of construction jobs while they're underway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister is pushing ahead with changes to the health workforce after consultation that sparked worries in the health sector. 

Health Minister Simeon Brown says he doesn't rate his accomplishments by applause - which is just as well, because he didn't get any today at the Nurses Organisation annual conference in Wellington. Dozens of angry delegates stood and turned their backs on him during his address, in which he criticised the union for strike action that's delayed care for thousands of patients. Ruth Hill reports.

Sweden's new Health Minister, Elisabet Lann, collapsed on her first day of work while being introduced at a press conference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior doctors have voted to strike for 48 hours later this month, despite pleas from the Health Minister not to. Last week Simeon Brown asked Te Whatu Ora and the doctor's union to go into binding arbitration after pay talks stalled. The Asssociation of Salaried Medical Specialists declined the request and accused the minister of interfering in the collective bargaining process. ASMS's Sarah Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Health Minister is being warned to keep his nose out of pay negotiations with senior doctors.. with their union also claiming he could be breaching employment law. Yesterday Health Minister Simeon Brown released a letter to Te Whatu Ora and the Doctor's union asking them to agree to binding arbitration. Te Whatu Ora has said yes to the binding arbitration but its a hard no from the Asssociation of Salaried Medical Specialists. Chief Executive of the union, Sarah Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 5 September 2025, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown is celebrating winning a major battle, getting Auckland Transport defunded. Sarah Dalton from the senior doctors union explains why they have declined the Health Minister's request to take their pay dispute to arbitration. Former Springbok Kevin Putt is carrying on with the mind games and says South Africa will beat New Zealand at the Eden Park fortress tomorrow - but Heather is calling BS. Plus, what is the most confiscated item at the airport? Batteries! Warwick Burr from the Civil Aviation Authority explains exactly what you're allowed to take on board, and why we're still taking off our boots at the security check. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The senior doctors' union says the Health Minister's proposal of arbitration, would've taken away their members right to decide. Simeon Brown wanted Health NZ and the union to let a third party decide the terms of the contract. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists rejected this and called his proposal a breach of employment law. Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Heather du Plessis Allan that there were a lot of unknowns around the proposal. She says the minister signalled they didn't see the pot of money as being any different and that's a situation they didn't want to enter into. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurses are off the job again today; the second strike this week over pay negotiations. Meanwhile the Health Minister is trying to broker a solution to the stand-off between Te Whatu Ora and senior doctors. Simeon Brown has written to the union and Health New Zealand asking them to urgently go into binding arbitration, as well as pleading with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists not to go ahead with strike action even if doctors vote for it. Health New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Dale Bramley spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Health Minister has said the average earnings of a registered nurse are $125,000 a year, but the union claims his maths doesn't add up. More than 35,000 nurses have walked off the job for the second time in a week over stalled contract negotiations, as Te Whatu Ora offers a 3% pay increase over two years. Nurses Organisation strategic researcher Nathalie Jaques spoke to Lisa Owen.

In today's episode, Defence Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand's support for Ukraine remains "steadfast"; The Health Minister has written to Health New Zealand and the senior doctors' union calling on them to urgently enter binding arbitration; Rising meat prices are changing how people shop and eat; We preview the weekend's sport with our Sports Panel; We cross the Tasman to get the latest from Kerry-Anne Walsh.

The Health Minister has written to Health New Zealand and the senior doctors' union calling on them to urgently enter binding arbitration. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Health Minister wants the senior doctors' union to put patients first and enter binding arbitration. Simeon Brown has given Health NZ and the union until 4pm today to respond to his urgent request to let a third party decide the terms of the contract. Health NZ's agreed to participate in an effort to resolve 12 months of collective agreement negotiations. Brown told Mike Hosking he's doing what he can to find a way forward. He's trying to persuade both parties to come to the table and agree to the process, which is in the best interest of patients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister's admitting his decision to request Heath NZ and the senior doctors union go to arbitration is unusual. Heath NZ's agreed to participate in arbitration in an effort to resolve 12 months of collective agreement negotiations. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is yet to respond. Minister Simeon Brown says his request comes after the union indicated it's looking at striking. "I guess it's unusual in that I'm asking both parties to come to the table. I've formally written to them, but I have been saying for some time that we have to negotiate these deals. Striking's not the answer." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aisling Kenny, Reporter, discusses the lack of understanding of endometriosis in Ireland.

Some patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda have had their pre-cancerous cells miscategorised, and they're now being told whether their status is more or less dangerous than previously thought. All while the Health Minister has criticised construction company BAM over the long-delayed National Children's Hospital.Joining Kieran to discuss it all is Co-Founder and Director of the Irish Patients Association, Stephen McMahon, and Health Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, Niamh Griffin.

3AW Drive host Jacqui Felgate has received numerous tips in relation to significant delays at emergency departments across the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health, spoke to Matt about the roll out of the RSV immunisation programme for children.The minister also addressed the controversy surrounding continued waiting times for children needing scoliosis surgery and delays with the completion of the National Children's Hospital.To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The Clare branch of Aontú is leading calls for the resignation of Simon Harris over the handling of a case of a young boy with life-threatening scoliosis, who died last month. 9-Year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt only underwent urgent spinal surgery last November, after waiting two years and having been previously removed from a waiting list without his parent's knowledge or consent. The Tánaiste had promised in 2017 during his tenure as Health Minister that no child suffering from scoliosis would wait more than four months for treatment. Clare Aontú Rep June Dillon says improvements must start with accountability.

Operation Dudula: Questions raised about government's inaction amid group's plans to meet with Health Minister by Radio Islam

How did Jeremy Hunt lose the Conservative leadership race to Boris Johnson? What does the longest serving Health Minister think will fix the NHS? What does Jeremy Hunt really think of Kemi Badenoch's leadership?  Alastair and Rory are joined by former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to answer all this and more.  Visit HP.com/politics to find out more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, receive our exclusive newsletter, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up, or start a free trial today on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/therestispolitics. Instagram: @restispolitics  Twitter: @RestIsPolitics  Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Social Producer: Celine Charles  Assistant Producer: Alice Horrell Producer: Nicole Maslen Senior Producer: Dom Johnson Head of Content: Tom Whiter Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the first major changes to the GP clinic funding model in over 20 years. He says from this time next-year, the money will be better distributed based on the needs of the population. But Royal Colleges of GPs President Samantha Murton says clinics could lose money if the funding pool stays the same. She hopes funding will be level - and boosted for those with higher needs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government contribution to a third medical school at the University of Waikato is $200 million less than previously anticipated. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Corin Dann.

Construction will begin this year on a new medical school at Waikato University. The Government's chipping in $83 million, alongside $150 million from the University and philanthropic investors. It'll have a strong focus on primary care and rural health and offer a graduate-entry programme. Health Minister Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking they've gone through a rigorous process to ensure it's as efficient and cost-effective as possible, so they can build the long-term pipeline that New Zealand needs. The postgraduate course element is already a successful model in Australia, he says. Brown told Hosking that it's about attracting people who are already living in rural communities, giving them opportunities to train and stay in place so we can attract and retain graduates. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 22nd of July, a new medical school in Waikato has finally been greenlit – the Waikato University Vice Chancellor and Health Minister discuss the course. Netball New Zealand is changing the eligibility rules to allow players to play in Australia for the domestic season and still represent the Silver Ferns. Longevity expert Dr Eric Topol talks our health habits, red wine, chocolate, and if blue zones are fact or fiction. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction will begin this year on a new medical school at Waikato University. The Government has given it the go ahead - and is providing $83 million dollars towards the project. Health Minister Simeon Brown says the school will offer a post-graduate degree aimed at other fields, such as nurses or paramedics. "This is about attracting people from those rural communities working potentially in healthcare or different roles and giving them the opportunity to upskill or become a doctor." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report has found promised upgrades to Victorian hospitals have not been carried out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's claimed the confidence and wellbeing of Clare children is severely suffering due to lengthy waits for dental services. It comes as the local authority is set to write to the Health Minister demanding a review of public orthodontic care in the MidWest. It's understood that efforts by the HSE to fill a public orthodontist vacancy in Clare are ongoing and that as a result, many children are waiting two to four years for operations. HSE Regional Health Forum West member and Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor James Ryan believes the National Treatment Purchase Fund should be used to tackle the backlog.

The Health Minister says 24/7 primary healthcare is now available to everyone no matter where you live in New Zealand. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Corin Dann.

Canada and its European NATO allies agree to a new defence spending target -- 5 per cent of GDP by 20-35. Donald Trump says he's confident the 12-day war between Iran and Israel is over. Israel's ceasefire with Iran holds, but war in Gaza rages on. British Columbia's Health Minister under pressure to fix a pediatric crisis at BC's biggest interior hospital. Wildfires force organizers to shorten the annual Yukon River Quest. 5,000 residents of Flin Flon, Manitoba returning home, after wildfires forced the city to evacuate.

Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill discusses the "extraordinary agreement" between HSE and trade unions regarding weekend working hours.

GPs are getting a big funding boost in a new agreement the government hopes will eventually lead to faster care. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Corin Dann.