Karen Brown
Tony Ryall claim sparks anger from doctors
The National Party today released details backing its claim that there are 800 more doctors working in public hospitals than three years ago. Comments on the topic by National's health spokesperson… Audio
Tony Ryall gets a grilling by senior doctors
Senior doctors have given the Health Minister, Tony Ryall, a grilling at their annual conference about the shortage of doctors. Audio
Resthomes say the evacuations were extremely tough
Canterbury health authorities say 145 of the resthome residents evacuated from quake damaged facilities in February have since died. Audio
Doctors say treatment of cancer needs improving
The National Party is promising to improve cancer treatment if it's re-elected, and doctors say it's needed. Audio
Dentists are applauding the Labour Party
Dentists are applauding the Labour Party for promising an independent inquiry on fluoridation of drinking water. Audio
Labour plans to boost health funding if elected
The Labour Party says health is under-funded and it'll boost money going into the sector if it becomes the government. In its health policy released today, Labour also says it'll spend 10 million… Audio
Health sector wants next government to push ahead with changes
The next government is being told to push ahead with fundamental changes to the health system. Those in the health sector say the issues it faces are beyond party politics, and current initiatives… Audio
Whooping cough cases are on the rise
Whooping cough cases are on the rise with warnings that it may become a national epidemic. Audio
Pharmacists set to play bigger role
Pharmacists are set to play a much bigger role in patient care following a pilot study released today. Audio
Study: chemists could be used more in medicine management
A study out today says giving pharmacists a bigger role in managing medicines for some patients improves care and saves money. Audio
Patients ask Government to fund expensive life-saving drug
Patients with a rare degenerative disease went to Parliament today to ask the Prime Minister to fund an expensive life-saving drug. Audio
Contentious lab test charge ends in Wellington region
Health boards in Wellington are dropping a contentious fee they imposed on patients who get privately ordered lab tests. Medical specialists have complained bitterly over the effect on patients of the… Audio
Health managers urged to expand the role of consumers
Health managers are being urged to expand the role of consumers in decisions to help lift standards and save money. Audio
New Zealand wins million dollar international study into flu
Every Aucklander who is admitted to hospital next year with severe respiratory illness will become part of a major study of influenza. Audio
Another jump in measles cases
There's been another jump today in measles cases in Auckland, and health officials say there's no end in sight to the outbreak. Audio
Public purse pays for more weight loss operations
Publicly funded weight loss operations for those who are morbidly obese have increased by a third in the past year. Audio
Auckland missing out on funding to combat rheumatic fever
A child health expert says the area with the most cases of acute rheumatic fever, the Auckland region, isn't being given its fair share of new funding to combat the disease. Audio
Newborns' blood samples will be kept forever
A collection of blood samples taken from more than two million New Zealanders when they were born will be kept forever. Audio
Free annual checks for diabetics is being wound up
Free annual check ups for people with diabetes are going to be scrapped after it was found they fail to deliver any tangible health benefits for the patients. Audio
Health Minister says free check diabetes programme will wind up
The Health Minister, Tony Ryall, accepts a free health check programme has not met expectations and will be wound up. Audio
