Karen Brown
Health workforce experts welcome Australian doctor glitch
Health experts say an over-supply of new doctors in Australia could end the exodus of New Zealand-trained junior doctors. Audio
Officials accused of secrecy over disabled policy group
The Ministry of Health is being accused of being secretive and keeping parents of adult disabled children in the dark about its plan to work out how to pay them. Audio
Health Minister faced questions
The Health Minister faced questions today about whether district health boards can continue to deliver more services with tighter budgets. Audio
Govt gives up fight against disabled children's families
The Government has given up its fight to stop families that care for their disabled adult children getting paid. Audio
Hospitals gear for electronic medicines switchover by 2014
Public hospitals are preparing to change the way they manage medicines for patients, from paper-based to electronic systems. Audio
Economic upturn could lead to shortage of nurses
Health officials are warning about a looming shortage of nurses within the decade as well as an over supply of new doctors in many countries. Audio
Anaesthetists warn of Pandora's Box over drug prescribing
Anaesthetists say only they should be able to prescribe and give powerful drugs, like the one that killed Michael Jackson. Audio
Almost 7 million dollars for immunisation goes unspent
The Health Ministry says it's saved almost seven million dollars from its immunisation budget this year, and the money will go on other things. Audio
Drug firms label Govt medicines funding cut disappointing
Drug companies are warning the decision to cut Pharmac's budget will mean patients missing out on the latest medicines. Audio
Budget analysis from RNZ's special correspondents
To look at what today's budget means for households, with us now is our Economics Correspondent Nigel Stirling, our Health Correspondent Karen Brown and our Education Correspondent John Gerritsen. Audio
GPs tell committee they're best group to prescribe drugs
Family doctors have told MPs today that medicines can be dangerous, and prescribing is best left up to them and some others, but shouldn't be expanded too much. Audio
Zero budget means tougher times for DHBs, health sector
Health funding will be increased in the Budget on Thursday, but observers say it won't be enough. Audio
Big-budget DHB struggles to eliminate deficit by year end
Auckland District Health Board says it is clamping down on all unnecessary spending in a bid to rein in a new deficit quickly. Audio
Auckland's DHB cutting back spending after budget overrun
Auckland District Health Board says it is clamping down on all unnecessary spending in a bid to rein in a new deficit quickly. Audio
Higher prescription charges will be too much
Family doctors in poor areas say higher prescription charges will be too much for some patients, and they could end up in hospital because of it. Audio
Cancer community welcomes 97 million boost for better care
The $40 million from the increased prescription charges has been promised to be spent in cancer wards. Audio
Hand washing stops hospital infections
Auckland health authorities say they've reduced the rate of hospital-acquired infections in patients by improving hand hygiene. Audio
Senior doctor paid up to $830,000 by the Southern DHB
The Southern District Health Board was today forced to explain why it paid a senior doctor up to $830,000 for a year's work. Audio
Human Rights Commission critical of pay for care workers
The Human Rights Commission says chronically low pay rates for workers in resthomes are discriminatory and breach human rights. Audio
Rising NZ obesity under spotlight in US think-tank report
A nutrition expert says obesity is on the rise and could cripple the health system if more isn't done to prevent it. Audio
