Health
Open letter asks govt to not break cancer drug promise
More than 600 people have signed an open letter to the government asking it not to break National's pre-election promise to fund more cancer drugs. Amy Burrows signed the letter and she spoke to… Audio
Nurses accuse Te Whatu Ora of putting costs ahead of safe staffing levels
Concern is being expressed after Health NZ said it was considering a pause on a critical safe staffing protocol.
'It makes me sad. It makes me angry' - Mental health sector calls for action on unfilled vacancies
Figures obtained by Checkpoint showed there were 656 mental health vacancies in New Zealand, including 380 registered nurses and 130 psychiatrists. Audio
Gastro bug affects scores of Canty Uni students
The university has confirmed more than 100 students have become unwell with a gastro illness.
Police reducing time spent on mental health callouts
A senior nurse said he's filled with dread at the prospect of police pulling back from their involvement with mental health patients. Starting today, Police are reducing the time they'll spend on… Audio
Over 650 mental health and addictions vacancies at Health NZ
Stressed and over-worked staff and patients unable to receive the help they need. Medical professionals say these are the consequences of a mental health workforce crisis, which will take years to… Audio
Man dies after patient notes go missing at hospital
A yellow envelope containing patient information was misplaced, which meant hospital staff who were treating the man - who died of a brain haemorrhage - were not aware that he was on blood thinners.
Support worker verbally abused and spat on disabled woman in his care
The worker has been ordered to apologise to his victim.
Southern hospital: Mayors head to capital to hand over petition
Save Our Southern Hospital Campaign is hitting Wellington on Wednesday, where Cliff the Ambulance will deliver a petition to Parliament.
'Everyone just hates tampons' - six teens talk period products
There has been a period product revolution in the last decade - but are NZ teens using them?
Workers fear serious harm after police less likely to respond to mental health call outs
Mental health workers fear they'll be at risk of serious harm now that Police are less likely to respond to mental health call outs. PSA national lead for the health sector Ashok Shankar spoke to… Audio
Call for more Australasian cooperation on future pandemics
New Zealand and Australia could share the costs of vaccines, masks, tests and quarantine facilities, health experts say. Audio
Mike King charity accused of greenwashing over booklet
The pamphlet, handed out to schoolchildren, presents a trucking firm and a coal-burning electricity company as climate heroes. Audio
Calls for a Trans-Tasman pandemic cooperation agreement
Otago University researchers are making the case for a Trans-Tasman pandemic cooperation agreement. Professor Nick Wilson spoke to Guyon Espiner. Audio
Poor dental health costing billions in lost productivity
Poor dental health is costing billions of dollars a year in lost productivity according to a new report commissioned by the lobby group Dental for All. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more. Audio
Senior mental health nurses quit over safety fears
Senior nurses with special powers for helping mental health patients have quit their quit their extra duties around that over safety fears. Phil Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
An edit was… Audio
Dental system costing $2.5b a year in lost productivity
Campaigners for free dental care say the cost of doing nothing is outstripping what it would cost to fund the system.
Nelson mayor hits back at fluoride 'disinformation'
Nelson's mayor has hit back at "disinformation" being spread on social media about fluoride in the city's water.
Health workers worried as police pull back on mental health callouts
Health NZ is scrambling to bring in new ways to cope with people in mental health distress from Monday.
