Podcasts about health new zealand

Health New Zealand has confirmed another case of measles in Northland, increasing the national count to 11. This virus, which was once thought of as a thing of the past, is very much rearing its ugly head again. As of September 30, there was over 1500 confirmed cases in the United States, and three confirmed deaths. So what can we do to stop any further spread? Dr Nikki Turner, principal medical advisor for the Immunisation Advisory Centre, she chats to Jesse.

Health New Zealand is asking the parents of Northland students to ensure their children have had their MMR vaccines, amidst a measles outbreak in the region. Dr Sharon Sime from the National Public Health Service spoke with Corin Dann.

In today's episode, the Government is tightening access to jobseeker benefits for teens. From November next year, 18 and 19-year-olds won't get it if their parents earn over $65,000 per year. A new survey found almost three-quarters of Kiwis back banning social media for under-14s. Health New Zealand is asking the parents of Northland students to ensure their children have had their MMR vaccines as the region battles a measles outbreak. And researchers found a day spent fishing is good for your mental health.

For Oto's final wire 

From hiring freezes to canning Te Aka Whai Ora, we've seen a significant shake-up of our public health system under this current administration, and now, Minister of Health Simeon Brown has put forward further amendments to change Health New Zealand's purpose, objectives, and functions.   Wednesday Wire Producer Emmanuel spoke to associate professor George Laking over his concerns that the reforms will degrade access to preventative care and worsen health outcomes.

From hiring freezes to canning Te Aka Whai Ora, we've seen a significant shake-up of our public health system under this current administration, and now, Minister of Health Simeon Brown has put forward further amendments to change Health New Zealand's purpose, objectives, and functions.   Wednesday Wire Producer Emmanuel spoke to associate professor George Laking over his concerns that the reforms will degrade access to preventative care and worsen health outcomes.

For Oto's final wire 

The senior doctor's union is criticising Health New Zealand's decision to call in the Employment Relations Authority to sort out pay talks. Around 6000 doctors and dentists are walking off the job nationwide tomorrow and Wednesday. The ERA's been requested to fix the terms and conditions of a collective agreement - in a move unprecedented for the public sector. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton says they've done some work with the ERA in the past. "We were not happy with the way the ERA authority members applied themselves to the task, and we didn't find them to take an independent view." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Australia, the UK and Canada have all formerly recognised a Palestinian state, we speak to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, The government's announced 100 million dollars will go into hospital upgrades and a further 20 million dollars will boost frontline staffing in emergency departments over the next nine months, funded from Health New Zealand's existing budget, Every apartment in a new Auckland high rise will be rented rather than sold, because of the sluggish property market, economy setback: GDP drop catches NZ off guard.

A rural doctor says the government's hospital investment is still not enough. Health Minister Simeon Brown's announced a $100million boost for 21 local projects, aimed at improving clinical spaces and support services. General Practice Aotearoa chair Dr Buzz Burrell told Mike Hosking that the investment will be only for touch ups. He says there will only be $5million per project over two years, it's not going to be world changing. Health New Zealand's also allocating $20million dollars to increasing frontline ED staff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Negotiations between Health New Zealand and senior hospital doctors have hit a wall - Health NZ has asked the Employment Relations Authority to come up with a settlement. Health NZ's acting chief executive Richard Sullivan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In today's episode, in a blow for the Government, the economy has had a much larger slump than expected which the Finance Minister's blaming in part on Donald Trump's trade tariffs, negotiations between Health New Zealand and senior hospital doctors have hit a wall - Health NZ has asked the Employment Relations Authority to come up with a settlement, Contact Energy says it's seeking fast-track approval to adjust Lake Hawea's minimum operating level in a bid to help generate more renewable energy and keep the region's power supply reliable, we're joined by our sports panel - One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and former All Black captain Taine Randell, and we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

New data shows hospitals were, on average, 587 nurses short every shift last year. A Nurses Organisation Infometrics report analysed Te Whatu Ora data from 1.69 million shifts from 2022 to 2024 in 59 public hospitals. Last year saw a slight improvement on 2023, when the shortage averaged 684 nurses per shift. Former Health New Zealand Chair Rob Campbell told Mike Hosking it confirms that issues facing the health system are dire. He says nurses have had to face people telling them they're wrong about the issues, but now it's clear they aren't. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relief from the nurses union over Health New Zealand's decision to review a hospital visitor hours expansion. The agency was intending to introduce a policy allowing nominated family members to support patients in hospital 24/7, outside visiting hours. It will now review this following feedback. Healthcare Assistant and Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin says there are no restrictive policies around family support currently. "While it's good to have family support, we shouldn't be doing it at the expense of a shortage of HCAs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of the many, many insane, ideologically driven policies I have heard come from government departments over the years, this has got to be one of the most bonkers. There have been times over the years, when I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, when I've fantasised about ending up in hospital. Nothing life-changing or dramatic, just a nice routine operation, five days in a lovely quiet ward. Crisp white sheets, view out to Cornwall Park, the scent of lush green grass carried by the gentle zephyrs of spring through the open window. Matron running the ward with a firm, but benevolent gloved hand. I can sleep and rest and be protected from the rigours of reality in a nurturing, safe environment. Oh, how those days have gone. If they ever existed, I think they may well be some kind of Enid Blyton-esque type fantasy I got through reading old-fashioned books. I am really, really struggling to see how 24/7 visitors' access to hospitals is going to benefit anyone. Anyone. Not the patients, not the security staff, certainly not the nursing staff. On the face of it, it looks like a desperate attempt to shore up staff deficiencies in the wards. They say it's not. Health New Zealand says the implementation of the new patient and whānau family support policy is not driven by staffing levels, but is about giving patients the choice of having whānau support when they needed it. National Chief Nurse Nadine Gray says the policy is patient-centred and driven by whānau voice. That's what the official party line is. New Zealand Nurses Organisation says the union supports full access for families to be involved in patients' care, which can be very important in some cultures, but they reckon the current push is more a response to the increasing need for patient watches and the lack of staff to do them, and I think they're probably on the money. Patient watches are needed if a vulnerable patient needs monitoring to ensure they don't hurt themselves or interfere with treatment, and are usually carried out by trained healthcare assistants. But because there's a chronic shortage of healthcare assistants, family members, say the Nurses Organisation, are being expected to take up the role. Now, decision-makers might think that the general public will understand that the 24/7 access is ideally for those with children in hospital or family members with dementia or patients who have specific needs. But that is not what the general public will hear. You'll get 20 people camped around a bed with takeaways for five days, while an adult son waits for an operation for his leg fracture. It'll be hoots-wah-hey and off. Party central. The Health New Zealand Chief Executive says under the policy, whānau will be supported to be with patients 24/7 (24/7! have we even asked the patients if they want the whānau there for 24/7?) where appropriate, working alongside nursing and maternity teams to make this possible. And here's the absolute banger for me - while respecting the privacy and recovery of others. How? Unless you're in a Portacabin 20 miles away from me on the hospital grounds, how is my privacy going to be respected? How, when the only thing preventing me from becoming a member of my neighbour's extended family is a flimsy nylon curtain? The nursing staff and security can't be expected to manage the number of visitors, supposed to be one or two per person. That doesn't work now. How are they going to be expected to manage the behaviour of the visitors, the transgressions of the visitors? We are living in a culture of self, where individuals prioritise their own needs. Their own wants and desires over the need of the collective good of others. Bloody hell, if there was ever an incentive to lace up the walking shoes and say no to the doughnut, it's this. The thought of ending up in a hospital ward now, my vision has long been shattered. In an ward with three other people is bad enough. The thought of ending up in a ward with three other people and their partners, and their kids, and their parents, and their siblings' children ... euthanise me now. Don't worry about fixing my broken arm. No, pass. Chop it off. No, I'll have to stay in hospital. I'll just live with it. I'll have a gimpy arm for the rest of my life. Of the many, many insane, ideologically driven policies I have heard come from government departments over the years, this has got to be one of the most bonkers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, commentators and industry voices have been raising the alarm about the state of our public health service while thousands of nurses strike for better conditions. One facet of this is concerns over inadequate nurse staffing compounded by the underhiring of nurse graduates. Leaks from Health New Zealand last week show reforms that will ensure nurse graduates are offered some work, but they will also be offered fewer hours of support and training. Dr Sue Adams, a senior lecturer of Nursing specialising in developing the Nursing workforce at the University of Auckland has called Health New Zealand's move wrong-footed. Producer Emmanuel spoke to Dr Adams to discuss the implications of these reforms, the state of the public health system as a whole and the silencing of nurses raising concerns.

Questions to Ministers RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of the Government's statements and actions? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made regarding Auckland transport governance? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to the resignations of the former Reserve Bank Chair and Governor? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all the Government's statements and actions on economic and fiscal policy? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about improved access to elective procedures for patients? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement, "we want to get value for money for the taxpayer" for surgeries outsourced to private hospitals; if so, how is Health New Zealand achieving value for money? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister for Trade and Investment: What recent progress has the Government made in unlocking new opportunities for New Zealand exporters in the United Arab Emirates? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Acting Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Economic Growth: Does she agree with the statement of the Minister of Finance that "cost of living relief is on its way"; if so, why? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he stand by all of the Government's statements and actions on foreign policy?

Health officials have outlined the dire state of Wellington Hospital's overcrowded emergency department as reports show a third of patients are being treated in corridors. The information was revealed in a detailed business case for the refurbishment of the ED, published by Health New Zealand, which said the ED was 'clinically and culturally unsafe'. Health NZ's Jamie Duncan says the staff working in those areas are required to stay vigilant and keep an eye on people. "They're always taking observations as well and that's standard practice and standard care that you'd expect in any emergency department." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, commentators and industry voices have been raising the alarm about the state of our public health service while thousands of nurses strike for better conditions. One facet of this is concerns over inadequate nurse staffing compounded by the underhiring of nurse graduates. Leaks from Health New Zealand last week show reforms that will ensure nurse graduates are offered some work, but they will also be offered fewer hours of support and training. Dr Sue Adams, a senior lecturer of Nursing specialising in developing the Nursing workforce at the University of Auckland has called Health New Zealand's move wrong-footed. Producer Emmanuel spoke to Dr Adams to discuss the implications of these reforms, the state of the public health system as a whole and the silencing of nurses raising concerns.

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.

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.

Senior doctors could soon be following nurses, who will walk off the job again tomorrow. The doctors are currently voting on whether to take strike action later this month according to the Association of Salaried medical specialists. They say Health New Zealand's pay offer amounts to a cut, the same critcism levelled by nurses who are striking for a second day this week. Doctor Inia Raumati works in that E-D and has been sharing some of experiences on social media, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 35,000 nurses walked off the job following nearly a year of deadlocked negotiations between Health New Zealand and the union over pay and working conditions. The Nurses Organisation says the offer currently on the table is a massive step backwards and an effective pay cut when compared to the cost of living. Some of the striking nurses, placards in hand, gathered outside Simeon Brown's Pakuranga electorate office, where the minister had signed off on a hand made sign of his own. District Nurse Rose Maber was protesting outside. She talks to Lisa Owen.

More than 36-thousand Nurses' Organisation members nationwide went on strike yesterday, and they will walk off the job again tomorrow. Health New Zealand says the action could disrupt treatment, services and care over the entire week - especially for patients with non-urgent needs. It’s while the Health Minister, Simeon Brown, has criticised the strikes – saying they’ll disrupt more than 13,000 surgeries and appointments. All this, after a year of deadlocked negotiations between the union and Health NZ. Today on The Front Page, union delegate and health care assistant at Christchurch Hospital, Al Dietschin will tell us what it’s like on the ground, and at the picket line. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand will not say how much it's paying private hospitals to carry out elective surgeries under a new national contract. Investigative reporter Anusha Bradley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Well, I don't know what kind of psychosis has taken hold of the bureaucrats at Health New Zealand, but you want to see these rules that they've put out about the food and what food is allowed and what food is banned from the hospital cafeterias. It is ridiculously, ridiculously prescriptive. So what they've done is they, they, they put out, because they like wasting their time on nonsense, they've put out their new national food and drink policy. And it's divided food into three categories. You've got the green category, that's the good stuff. You've got the amber category, that's a bit naughty, but OK, and you've got the red category and that's banned. So what you are allowed to eat when you go to the hospital cafeteria is chicken. But without the skin on. So that you're basically left with the saddest, driest chicken breast known to man. Yum, enjoy yourself. Beef and pork, that is allowed, but the staff have to trim the visible fat off, and they have to drain the fatty drippings, which completely ignores the modern research that shows actually meat fat is not that bad for you, and maybe you need it. You are allowed to have a quiche, but it must have no crust. You are allowed a vegetable slice or an egg cup, but they must contain vegetables. A pie is OK, but only if it's smaller than 210 g, and only if it has a potato top. What I've just described to you is basically the green category. That is the only food that they're allowed to display to us. Everything else must not be within your eyesight, cause God only knows what's gonna happen if you clap your eyes on a muffin. The green category must make up 55% of the food at the hospital cafeteria. Amber foods, things you're allowed to eat but not allowed to see, include things like muffins and loaves and slices. They must all be under 120 g, savory pies must be under 210 g, not on display. Nacho chips, white bread, Doughboys, wraps, and pizza bases. They are allowed to have icing on the sweeter things, but they're only allowed to have very little bit of icing, not a lot. Red food, this is food that is recommended to be banned, includes marshmallows in your hot chocolate. Thick icing, chocolate covered food, food containing confectionery, like rocky roads, lolly slices, pebbles, wontons. Oh, that's not actually got lollies in it, but it also includes wontons, money bags, spring rolls, commercially flavored rice, pasta, noodles, and deep fried items. Now, I don't know what, what this tells you about Health New Zealand, but I'm gonna guess that they've either lost the plot or whoever made these rules has decided to run the cafeteria in the spirit of a communist dictatorship, where adults must have every aspect of their lives controlled for them. The fact that we are adults and can decide for ourselves what we should or should not eat is clearly not been factored into this equation. Some of us actually enjoy to have the fat on the meat, very much. Some of us like to eat the skin on our chicken. Hospitals, do I need to remind you are grim. Going to the cafeteria to buy a treat for yourself or perhaps your dying loved 1 may be the only thing that that person has in the day that brings them a little bit of joy. Now, the thing is, Health New Zealand can go ahead with this if they want to. It's their cafeteria after all. Problem with their little dictatorship plan is they only control their tiny little communist state. They do not control. The gigantic capitalist market outside of it. So I don't know about you, but as a an adult who can decide for myself, I suspect I will be bringing in my brioche, dripping in gigantic slabs of icing and just eating it on their premises. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand's changing up hospital cafe menus in the name of a good diet. Its fresh National Food and Drink policy reduces processed foods, and the portion sizes for things like slices and scones. Food will need lower saturated fats and added sugar - examples include skinless chicken and fish. Public Health Service Director Doctor Nick Chamberlain says it would be a bad look if hospitals didn't have healthy food guidelines. Chamberlain says they're trying to provide guidance, which still gives a huge amount of choice. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health New Zealand is apologising after significant failings led to two murders in Canterbury. An urgent Ministry review was ordered after an on-leave Hillmorton Hospital in-patient killed Laisa Tunidau as she walked home from work in 2022. During the review - a patient gardening for 83-year-old Frances 'Faye' Phelps, killed her in her home. Health NZ National Director for Mental Health and Addictions Phil Grady says they accept the failings identified in the report. "There is an international challenge in recruiting mental health staff, they are the key engine for operating mental health services. We're focusing really hard on the country, but also on Canterbury." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heart disease is costing the country nearly $14 billion a year in direct costs to the health system and early deaths of one in five New Zealanders. That was the stark analysis from Otago University research, which shows chronic under-resourcing of cardiac care is costing lives. Ruth Hill reports. And for more, Health New Zealand's Chief Clinical Officer, Richard Sullivan spoke to Lisa Owen.

Midwives are to get a 3.5 percent pay rise and lump sum of $235 after settling their collective agreement with Health New Zealand. MERAS co-leader David Munro spoke to Corin Dann.

Thirty-six thousand nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants across the country are walking off the job on Wednesday for 24 hours. Health New Zealand acting chief clinical officer Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard spoke to Corin Dann.

Nurses are fed up over chronic short-staffing, despite graduates seeking jobs. More than 30 thousand nurses and heath professionals will be off the job from 9am, withdrawing labour from all Health New Zealand services for the next 24 hours. Strikes are taking place in over 30 locations across the country, with thousands of procedures and appointments postponed. Nurses Organisation Chief Executive Paul Goulter told Mike Hosking Health NZ doesn't realise the risks its staff and patients are under. He says you need nurses for a safe health system, and we don't have that, so it's a political choice. Goulter says their pay gap needs to be improved by a matter of a few percent, and at the moment they don't even come close to the cost of living. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's calls for law changes among experts after a 2-month-old baby died after she was allegedly given medication at an adult dosage by a pharmacy. This incident has prompted the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand to 'urgently' undertake a joint review into the incident. Lanny Wong, director of Mangawhai Pharmacy and a member of the national executive of the Pharmaceutical Society says something's clearly gone wrong - and an investigation is needed. "It does seem out of place, I don't think any pharmacist would disagree with your sentiment. Obviously, something went wrong here and we need to understand what that is." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A scathing review of Nelson Hospital has found the persistent delays in recruiting medical staff has been compounded by ageing infrastructure and increasing demand for service. Health New Zealand's chief medical officer Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Health New Zealand is moving into its next chapter after a year under a commissioner. The board's making a return today, with outgoing commissioner Lester Levy taking up the role as chairman for the next 12 months. Levy told Mike Hosking that although the agency's reached a turning point, the challenge isn't over. He says they need to involve clinicians and those on the ground in decisions and provide modern tools to the workforce. But Levy says the organisation's financially on track and has a very stable platform to move forward. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The official guidance on low-risk drinking doesn't reflect modern scientific evidence and "understates the health risks" of alcohol, according to Health New Zealand documents released to RNZ. Guyon Espiner spoke to Corin Dann.

In today's episode, dozens of people remain in emergency accommodation and hundreds of flood-damaged properties still have to be assessed after Friday's devastating floods in Nelson and Tasman; "Silt and debris as far as the eye can see." That's how flood-hit Motueka Valley resident Naomi Pickett describes the aftermath of Friday's deluge which inundated an already saturated Tasman District; The official guidance on low-risk drinking doesn't reflect modern scientific evidence and "understates the health risks" of alcohol, according to Health New Zealand documents released to RNZ; The Taxpayers' Union has released its rates dashboard which ranks local bodies across the country on how much they have increased rates; World number one Jannik Sinner has won his first Wimbledon title, dethroning Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in a four-set final this morning; New Zealand's Youth Choir has just taken out another top placing on the international stage hot on the heels of another global win.

In today's episode, Sir Peter Jackson is backing an ambitious project effort to bring back the Moa from extinction, and it is being led Ngāi Tahu, Canterbury Museum, and Colossal Biosciences; Health New Zealand has backed down on plans to give Wellington Hospital maternity beds to ED patients; over 15 years, more than 900 Post Office branch managers were wrongly prosecuted for theft and false accounting, because of the faulty Horizon IT software they were required to use; US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his new tariff deadline of August 1st, posting on social media that "there will be no change" to the date, and "no extensions will be granted"; why are so many Kiwis interested in a state-based Australian rugby league series?; and the Cardrona Hotel is proving to be hot property - if its Trade Me views are anything to go by.

Midwives and specialists begged Health New Zealand to abandon the proposal to cut maternity beds at Wellington Hospital - and at an emotional meeting with staff, it has. MERAS Union co-leader Caroline Conroy spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Midwives and specialists are begging Health New Zealand to abandon a proposal to cut beds from Wellington Hospital's maternity and gynaecology wards. Mary Argue reports.

Nurses are slamming their latest pay offer as a massive backward step. Health New Zealand says its new deal has a higher percentage pay increase than the earlier one, and lump sum payments this year and next. Health New Zealand's acting chief executive, Robyn Shearer spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. 

In today's episode, eleven-hundred households in Golden Bay lost Fibre connection on Thursday night, cutting access to 111 calls, mobile and internet services, while the area was under a state of emergency. Nurses are slamming their latest pay offer as a massive backward step. Health New Zealand says the new deal for nurses has a higher percentage pay increase than the earlier one, and lump sum payments this year and next. Our political panel looked at the government's string of law-and-order announcements. And our Australia Correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh gave us the latest from across the ditch.

GPs and specialist nurses will soon be able to diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD. At the moment they need the written recommendation of a psychiatrist or paediatrician to start prescribing medications for Attention Deficit Hyper Activity medications, and that can take months. Now Medsafe and Pharmac have announced a rule change. From next year GPs and nurse practioners will be able to diagnose and start adults on treatment. Dr Anna Skinner, the Chief Clinical Advisor for Primary Care at Health New Zealand spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cleaners doubling as security guards at two rural Waikato Hospitals have left staff worried about their own safety and that of patients. These are among findings in a report obtained by Checkpoint about the introduction of the scheme - which Health New Zealand calls integrated cleaning, attendant and security services - at Te Kuiti and Tokoroa hospitals. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

In today's episode, Health New Zealand has been directed to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries, Wednesday marks day five of the conflict between Israel and Iran and there's still no talk of a ceasefire, the blaze at New World Victoria Park has been extinguished while five Fire and Emergency crews remained on Tuesday night to deal with hotspots, and from 10 on Wednesday morning senior medical and dental officers in Northland will go on strike for 24 hours.

Health New Zealand has been directed to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Corin Dann.

The Health Minister has directed Health New Zealand to give private hospitals 10-year contracts to perform elective surgeries. Patient Voice Aotearoa chairperson Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The government is directing Health New Zealand to give private hospitals 10 year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries. The directive has caught the hospitals by surprise, and is raising questions about the privitisation of the public system. Anusha Bradley reports.