Tony Ryall
Release

State Services Minister Tony Ryall says New Zealanders will be proud their public sector continues to lead the world in integrity.

Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2011 was released today and New Zealand is again ranked in first place.

“New Zealand’s consistent reputation for integrity in the public sector has been reinforced by this ranking. The lack of corruption makes us a desirable place to do business internationally and meets New Zealander’s expectations of fairness.

Tony Ryall State Services
Release

The latest quarterly results for the six National Health Targets have been published.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says there is good improvement in the preventive health targets for quarter one 2011/12 – particularly with better help for smokers to quit.

"In this three month period, around 30,230 hospital patients who smoke received brief help and advice to quit – an internationally recognised health prevention measure. That's a national average increase of nearly four per cent (up from 85 per cent last quarter).

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the members of the Health Promotion Agency Establishment Board.

Dr Lee Mathias has been appointed chair. She is deputy chair of the Auckland District Health Board.

The other members are:
• Mr Hayden Wano, chair of Health Sponsorship Council
• Mr Rea Wikaira, chair of ALAC
• Professor Grant Schofield, public health expert in nutrition and physical activity
• Ms Katherine Rich, CEO Food and Grocery Council

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced that the National government has approved a major redevelopment worth more than $3 million for Te Awhina, the Whanganui District Health Board's acute inpatient mental health unit.

Mr Ryall announced the approval during a visit to the DHB with local MP Chester Borrows today.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

The Ministry of Health has started work with primary care to implement free after-hours GP visits for under six-year-olds.

Health Minister Tony Ryall announced last month that the Government was making funding available for GPs to offer the free after-hours service.

Mr Ryall says "The Government is keen to see free after hours for under-sixes in place, and the Ministry of Health is working through the initiative with primary care representatives. I have also asked the Director-General of Health to start DHB negotiations on this."

Tony Ryall Health
Speech

I am very pleased to open the third linear accelerator at Canterbury DHB in just 18 months.

I know this machine will add considerably to Canterbury's ability to provide a high quality, timely service to people with cancer for the Canterbury region and beyond.

Access to advanced cancer treatments continues to improve for Canterbury patients with the addition of a new Linear Accelerator at Christchurch Hospital that is set to lift treatment capacity by 33 percent.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Health Minister Tony Ryall and the Minister for Science and Innovation Dr Wayne Mapp have announced funding for three cancer research projects.

Studies of bowel cancer, palliative care and prostate cancer will be undertaken by researchers at Auckland and Massey universities over the next three years.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "This research will build our knowledge of the incidence and impact of these particular cancers in New Zealand, and how health professionals from primary care through to specialists work together delivering treatment.”

Tony Ryall Wayne Mapp Health Science and Innovation
Speech

Thank you for inviting me to celebrate the new Varian TrueBeam radiotherapy linear accelerator machine.

I am told that this particular multi-million dollar machine is the first Varian TrueBeam radiotherapy linear accelerator in Australasia and the first of its kind to treat patients in the Southern Hemisphere.

This is one of ten new cancer radiation machines approved under this John Key government. And it's part of our comprehensive plan for better treatment for cancer patients which we put into action in late 2008.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Free visits to the doctor for children aged under six will be extended to after-hours under Government plans released today.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says district health boards will work with local GP networks and after-hours clinics to extend free medical care for under-six year olds to after-hours at an estimated cost of around $7 million a year.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

A demonstration project where pharmacists have taken on a greater role in managing patients on the traditional blood thinning drug Warfarin, has resulted in excellent outcomes for patients and high levels of satisfaction.

An independent evaluation of the project, which has been running in 15 community pharmacies across New Zealand, confirmed that management of Warfarin treatment by pharmacists is safe and convenient for patients with heart disease, and could save millions of dollars.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

A $10 million investment package to reduce harm from alcohol and drug abuse has been announced by Justice Minister Simon Power and Health Minister Tony Ryall.

The package is designed to assist thousands of people with alcohol and drug related issues of all severities.

The funding, which comes out of alcohol excise revenue, is on top of the approximate $120 million spent on specialist alcohol and drug treatment services each year.

Simon Power Tony Ryall Health Justice
Release

The Government supports Health Select Committee recommendations around the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer which rule out a national screening programme at this stage.

It also backs HSC recommendations for the development of evidence based information and resources for men, so they can make informed decisions about prostate testing.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "I am aware that many men in New Zealand find the issue of prostate cancer management confusing and inconsistent."

Tony Ryall Health
Release

More than half a billion dollars a year is spent by the public health service on diagnosing and treating cancer and this is set to increase more than 20 per cent by 2021.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "The Ministry of Health report, Price of Cancer, tells New Zealand for the first time how much taxpayers are paying for the care of people with cancers.

"Identifying each cancer when it is diagnosed and how much it costs to treat, makes it easier to see where future cost pressures are likely and how best to manage them.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

The four year bowel screening pilot has been launched by National MP, Dr Jackie Blue on behalf of Health Minister Tony Ryall at Waitemata DHB in Auckland today.

The $24 million pilot will provide vital information which will help determine whether a bowel screening programme should be rolled out nationally.

Mr Ryall says, "This is an important milestone for New Zealand. We know from overseas experience that bowel screening can help save lives.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

The Government has approved a total of $9.4 million in subsidies to improve drinking water supplies in small communities of under 5000 people.

“These subsidies will help 18 territorial local authorities and 11 private supplies to providing safer drinking water for about 22,000 people in small, disadvantaged communities,” Health Minister Tony Ryall said.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Health Minister Tony Ryall has welcomed Parliament's unanimous support for the Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Bill, passed today under urgency.

"This Bill resolves a dispute that dates from 2007 and sets in place a responsible and affordable framework for employers and employees in the health and disability sector," Mr Ryall says.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Health Minister Tony Ryall and the Minister for Science and Innovation Dr Wayne Mapp, have congratulated ESR on their successful international bid for a 5-year, multi-million dollar flu research and surveillance project.

The project is paid for by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is known as SHIVERS - the Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance.

Tony Ryall Wayne Mapp Health Science and Innovation
Speech

Good afternoon.

It's great to be here.

And it’s a pleasure to officially open Lower Queen Street Health.

This is a significant event – not just because this is a new and innovative medical centre for Richmond - but also because Lower Queen Street Health represents a future of primary health care for New Zealanders.

When I am working in my electorate, or around the country holding public meetings or talking to people in the street, I hear stories that show where the public health service can improve further.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

The Crown Entities Reform Bill has been introduced to the House.

This omnibus Bill provides for structural changes to the way the government is organised across the health and charitable sectors, including:

Tony Ryall State Services
Release

A Bill to legislate the Sleepover wages settlement will be introduced to the House later today by Health Minister Tony Ryall.

The Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Bill will confirm the agreement between IDEA Services Ltd and its employees, and provide the framework to resolve other employers' and employees' claims.

Tony Ryall Health
Speech

Speech notes prepared for 2011 AUT University Faculty of Health and Environmental Science’s Dean’s Public Lecture Series

Professor Abbott, Vice-Chancellor McCormack, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for the invitation to be part of AUT University’s 2011 Faculty of Health and Environmental Science’s Dean’s Public Lecture Series.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Better links between the health technology sector and the health service are behind a plan to establish a national health innovation hub, say Economic Development Minister David Carter and Health Minister Tony Ryall.

The hub will assist with developing health technology ideas generated by clinicians and companies into business propositions, products and services.

“New Zealand’s health technology industry currently generates $1.8 billion in annual revenue but there is plenty of room for growth,” says Mr Carter.

Tony Ryall David Carter Economic Development Health
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A booklet telling people how to get a needs assessment and access home support services has been sent to organisations throughout New Zealand to help ensure people have easy access to the information.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "The booklet tells older people, their families and caregivers about how to access the support services to help them live independently in the community for as long as possible.

Tony Ryall Health
Release

Cards containing the blood spots from heel prick tests on newborn babies will be kept indefinitely, with greater protections on access to the cards Health Minister Tony Ryall said today.

"The Ministry of Health is moving to enhance and protect privacy relating to the cards.

Tony Ryall Health