Notice of the Office of Radiation Safety Christmas holiday closedown 2024/2025
Publication date:The Office of Radiation Safety will be closed for the holiday period from the end of the day, Monday 23 December 2024 and re-open on Wednesday 8 January 2025. In the case of a radiation emergency, where people or the environment may be harmed, please call: 021 393 632 immediately.
Ministry prosecutes unregistered doctor
Publication date:Former eye surgeon, Dr Philip Macdonald, was sentenced in the Napier District Court last week for continuing to practise after he voluntarily deregistered from the New Zealand Medical Council.
New plan outlines adaptation to the health impacts of climate change
Publication date:The Public Health Agency, within the Ministry of Health, has published New Zealand’s first Health National Adaptation Plan, establishing a new foundation for building climate resilience within our health system and beyond.
New data shows the importance of vaccination against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
Publication date:It is encouraging to see rates of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD), a disease linked with severe forms of pneumonia and meningitis, decreasing among children under 2, following the reintroduction of the PCV13 vaccine in early 2023.
Mental Health Bill introduced to the House
Publication date:The new Mental Health Bill has been introduced and is now publicly available. The Mental Health Bill will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, which is more than thirty years old and no longer fit for purpose.
Rollout of new medicines across New Zealand begins
Publication date:1 October marks the first day a range of new medicines, including cancer medicines, will start to become available in hospitals and health centres across New Zealand.
New funding for child and youth mental health survey
Publication date:The Ministry of Health welcomes the Government’s commitment to ongoing funding of $2 million per year for a Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction Prevalence Survey.
Vaping regulations coming into effect 1 October
Publication date:The deadline for all vaping devices to have removeable batteries and a child safety mechanism is coming up on 1 October 2024.
Medsafe updating advice on nitrous oxide abuse
Publication date:Medsafe has updated its advice on the law in relation to the supply and use of nitrous oxide for recreational use.
Series of prosecutions begins for illegal cigarette and vape sales
Publication date:A tobacco and vape retailer and his employee have received fines totalling $8000 after an investigation by Health New Zealand led to the Ministry of Health filing charges against them. These are the first sentencings in a series of prosecutions currently being undertaken by the Ministry against retailers identified as repeat offenders by Health New Zealand investigations.
Research into health and wellbeing impacts of adverse weather conditions
Publication date:Key findings and recommendations on the health and wellbeing impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle have been published today.
Three additional ‘Safe Areas’ announced
Publication date:New ‘Safe Areas’ will be in place around three abortion service providers from 27 September 2024, to protect the safety, wellbeing, privacy and dignity of people who are accessing or providing abortion services.
Ministry prosecutes vape retailer
Publication date:A Christchurch shopkeeper has been fined $56,000 for the illegal sale of vapes and cigarettes, including selling vapes to minors.
2023 Health and Independence Report published
Publication date:The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora has published the 2023 Health and Independence Report.