Unlocking the potential of active ageing
Publication date:The Ministry of Health is now inviting New Zealanders to share their views on its latest Long-term Insights Briefing topic, ‘Unlocking the Potential of Active Ageing’ which looks at the challenges we face with an ageing population.
Upcoming changes to Smokefree laws
Publication date:The Government is working on changes to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 to make vaping products less appealing and less available to people under the age of 18 years.
New patient guides for managing stress urinary incontinence
Publication date:Two new guides have been developed to support women to make decisions about treatment options for stress urinary incontinence.
MedSafety Week a reminder to use medicines as directed
Publication date:“This MedSafety Week, we want to emphasise the importance of taking medicines as directed to reduce the risk of side effects,” Medsafe Group Manager Chris James says.
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.