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What's new on our website

The latest updates to this website are listed below:

October 2008

Health Targets - Moving towards healthier futures, 2007/08: The Results (12 Oct)
This publication provides information on progress towards the 10 Health Targets in 2007/08. View also the online version of the 2007/08 report in the Health Targets section - Full year report 2007/08.

Maternity Action Plan 2008–2012 - Draft for Consultation (9 Oct)
The draft Maternity Action Plan sets out a strategic vision for maternity services for the next four years, and includes a series of actions to achieve the vision.

Review of the Quality, Safety and Management of Maternity Services in the Wellington Area (9 Oct)
The scope of the review was to report on the adequacy and appropriateness of accountability arrangements, including the systems and procedures that apply to maternity providers, and that ensure quality and safety in maternity services. The Terms of Reference also specified that the reviewers may identify issues to be looked at in the context of maternity services throughout the country.

Report on Patients Awaiting Cardiac Surgery: Capital and Coast District Health Board (7 Oct)
This report is a review of the cardio-thoracic services provided by Capital Coast District Health Board (C&CDHB) for patients from the Central region.

Cardiac Surgery Services in New Zealand (7 Oct)
This Report into Cardiac Surgery Services in New Zealand was initiated in May 2008 by the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) with the Cardiac Society, in direct response to ongoing concerns relating to cardiac surgery services.

Mental Health and Addiction of Older People and Dementia Project (6 Oct)
The Ministry of Health has commenced a project that will develop guidance to inform how district health boards (DHBs) provide services for people with dementia and people aged over 65 who are affected by mental health and addiction problems.

Contemporary Aspects of the Napier Hospital and Health Services Claim (Wai 692) - Deed of Settlement (3 Oct)
A Deed of Settlement between the Crown and the claimants, for the Contemporary Aspects of the Wai 692 - Napier Hospital and Health Services Claim, was signed by the Hon Mita Ririnui, Associate Minister of Health and the claimants in Napier on Friday 3 October 2008.

Latest issue of the HEHA Action Report - now available (2 Oct)

The Draft New Zealand Ambulance Service Strategy - The first line of emergency intervention in the contiuum of health care (2 Oct)
The Draft New Zealand Ambulance Service Strategy - The first line of emergency intervention in the contiuum of health care was developed by a team of Ministry and ACC officials, charged with defining an overarching framework for the future of ambulance services.

The document was released for consultation by the Minister Health and the Minister for ACC on 15 September 2008 and the closing date for submissions is 12 December 2008.

September 2008

Future of the Medical Workforce (30 Sep)
The Medical Training Board is seeking comment on three discussion papers relating to the future of the medical workforce in New Zealand and medical education and training in New Zealand.

Public Health Perspectives newsletter - latest issue now available (30 Sep)
Public Health Perspectives provides a key source of information and commentary on public health issues.

Prostate cancer resources - now available (29 Sep)
Two resources on testing for prostate cancer are now available in the Resources section. One is a consultation resource for primary care practitioners and the other is a information brochure for men and their families.

Chief Nurse Newsletter, September 2008 (23 Sep)

Mainstream Smoke Emissions from ‘Roll-Your-Own’ Loose Leaf Tobacco Sold in New Zealand (21 Sept)
Mainstream Smoke Emissions from 'Roll-Your-Own' Loose Leaf Tobacco Sold in New Zealand analyses the smoke emissions from several ‘regular’ and ’mild’ brands of loose (Roll-Your-Own) tobacco available in New Zealand and one manufactured cigarette.

Health Expenditure Trends in New Zealand 1996-2006 (18 Sept)
The information in this report provides a basis for identifying and measuring trends and changes in the patterns of health and disability expenditure in New Zealand

Primary Health Care Strategy Innovations Fund 2008/09 - Invitation to Apply for Funding (17 Sept)
Applications for the 2008/09 funding round are now open. Applications close 12 noon, Friday 14 November.

Summary DHB Sector Financial Report for the month ended 31 July 2008 now available (17 Sep)

Hearing Aid Subsidy for SuperGold Card Holders (16 Sept)

Latest Primary Mental Health Care Newsletter (12 Sept)
Provides information to the sector on developments in primary mental health care, particularly those led by the Ministry of Health

Men's Health - new section launched including information on the Men's Health Innovation Fund (12 Sept)

National Health Emergency Plan;H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy (11 Sept)
This document provides some details about New Zealand's H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine supplies, and outlines policies for the use of the vaccine.

National Health Emergency Plan; National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies (11 Sept)
This document provides some details about New Zealand's national reserves of health supplies for use in health emergencies, and outlines policies for their use.

Rural Midwifery Innovations Fund (4 Sept)
Applications for the next RMIF funding round are invited from Monday 8 September 2008 and will close at 12 noon Friday 24 October 2008.

Let’s get real Real Skills for people working in mental health and addiction (3 Sep)
A national project identifying the knowledge, skills and attitudes people need to deliver effective mental health and addiction services in New Zealand. The project was lead by the Ministry of Health and developed with sector stakeholders.

Working Together for Better Primary Health Care: Overcoming barriers to workforce change and innovation (3 Sep)
Report of the Workforce Taskforce on overcoming barriers to workforce change and innovation in primary health care.

August 2008

Cervical Cancer Vaccine (HPV) campaign resources now available (29 Aug)

Cancer Connections Newsletter, Winter 2008 (28 Aug)
The latest version of the Cancer Connections newsletter is now available. Cancer Connections, put out by the cancer team at the Ministry of Health to ensure you stay up to date with some of the great work being done about the country.

A report on Palliative Care and Cancer Nurses’ Educational Needs (PDF, 1 MB) (28 Aug)
This report provides comprehensive information on the cancer and palliative care nursing workforce in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on education. National, regional and local data have been presented, which will serve as baselines against which future evaluations of the workforce can be made.

Long-Term Conditions Programme update, July/August 2008 (27 Aug)

'With Support I Can...' - videos about living with a disability and the difference getting support can make (25 Aug)

July Issue of HIA e-News ( 18 Aug)
This bi-monthly newsletter is a way of keeping people up to date with the latest developments in health impact assessment in New Zealand and abroad.

Problem Gambling Intervention Services in New Zealand: 2007 Service-user statistics (12 Aug)
This report presents and summarises the data collected by problem gambling service providers in 2007. It provides an overview of clients who have sought help via Gambling Helpline Ltd (the Helpline) and face-to-face problem gambling services during that period

Chief Nurse Newsletter, July 2008 (8 Aug)

Diabetes retinal screening workshops, September 2008 (7 Aug)
The Retinal Screening Advisory Group and the Ministry of Health are holding regional workshops around New Zealand to gain insights, suggestions and help from those working in retinal screening to help shape the future direction of retinal screening in New Zealand.

HPV Immunisation Programme - National Implementation Strategic Overview (6 Aug)
This document is for organisations involved in planning, implementing or delivering the HPV immunisation programme. It is also suitable for health professionals discussing HPV vaccine with parents, whānau and girls or young women.

Update on tobacco companies providing incentives to retailers (4 Aug)
The Ministry of Health is currently looking at the issue of tobacco companies providing incentives to retailers to sell and display tobacco.