Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand how Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital is well prepared to treat any suspected Ebola patients.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a suspected case here,” says Dr Coleman.

“Middlemore Hospital is one of four major hospitals across New Zealand which are most likely to treat any suspected Ebola patients. Their new infectious diseases Biocontainment Unit is able to assess and manage patients with suspected highly infectious diseases.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new campaign to help New Zealanders recognise the signs of a stroke is being launched in Waikato today.

“Every day around 24 New Zealanders have a stroke, and a quarter occur in people under 65. High blood pressure and smoking put people at higher risk, but early detection and effective control of risk factors can greatly reduce the chance of a stroke,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new technology being used at Auckland City Hospital will enable more precise and faster radiotherapy treatment for people with cancer.

“Improvements in technology means less time in hospital for patients, and allows clinicians to focus radiotherapy precisely on the cancerous tissue,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes Northland’s decision to fund free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for under 13s.

“The Government is investing $90 million over three years from 1 July 2015 so all children aged under 13 years can receive free doctors’ visits and prescriptions,” says Dr Coleman.

“Northland’s two Primary Health Organisations (PHO), Manaia Health and Te Tai Tokerau, and Northland DHB have joined together to fund the early roll out of this initiative, which is expected to cost around $450,000.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says health and border authorities are well prepared to detect and respond to any potential cases of Ebola.

“We are treating the situation very seriously. While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a case here,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is encouraging people to have a conversation today about organ donation.

“Today is Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Day and I hope people will support Organ Donation New Zealand’s campaign by having a discussion with family about their wishes around organ donation,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is getting out of the Beehive to meet the health sector, starting with Southern District Health Board tomorrow.

“I will be visiting all 20 District Health Boards over the next few months to engage with doctors, nurses and management. As a doctor I know the value of clinicians in helping to drive progress in the health system,” says Dr Coleman.