Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the National Depression Initiative (NDI) has continued to evolve and expand since its launch a decade ago.
“Over the last ten years the NDI has had an increasingly important role in utilising technology to ensure people have access to the help and support they need, at a place and time convenient to them,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Acting Youth Minister Anne Tolley say young people will be recruited to help raise awareness of rheumatic fever amongst their peers.
“Rheumatic fever is a serious but preventable disease. Children and young people from Maori and Pacific communities are the most vulnerable,” Dr Coleman says.
“To further help raise awareness about the disease we’re going to recruit and train around 100 young people, mainly Maori and Pacific aged between 11 and 19 years, to talk about how to prevent rheumatic fever.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today met with providers of the second tranche of Mobility Action Teams at a workshop in Wellington.
“Musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis can have a significant impact on people’s health and quality of life. The total cost of people living with arthritis in New Zealand was estimated at $3.2 billion in 2010,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the roll-out of the new national enrolment service in general practices across the country is on target.
“To date 230 practices have gone live with the national enrolment service which provides faster, more accurate information on patient enrolment and identity,” says Dr Coleman.
“Feedback from practices using the service shows the system is easy to use and is making a positive difference in the day to day management of patients.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a three way kidney transplant exchange has been carried out in New Zealand for the first time.
“Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment and for people with organ failure it’s often the only option available,” says Dr Coleman.
“Individuals are often very keen to help a friend or loved one needing a kidney, but are unable to because of tissue compatibility issues.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley say a collaboration between MSD and four DHBs will trial different ways to support people with health conditions and disabilities into work.
“Across government, Ministries are exploring ways they can work more collaboratively with the aim of improving the overall life outcomes of New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.
This week marks one year on since the launch of the Childhood Obesity Plan, and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says good progress is being made.
“Obesity is a serious issue threatening the health of young New Zealanders, which means some of our kids could end up living shorter lives than their parents,” says Dr Coleman.
“In 2014/15 11 per cent of all children aged 2-14 years were obese. The figures for Maori and Pacific children were 15 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says all potential cataract procedures are now being assessed nationwide using a prioritisation tool.
“Increasing access to specialist care remains a priority for this Government. The answer to increased demand is to do more,” says Dr Coleman.
“Cataract surgery is one of the more straightforward elective surgery procedures performed by our hospitals, but is also one where the benefits to the patient can be significant within a fairly short space of time.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more families are getting the care they need for their children as a result of free GP visits for under 13s.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today congratulated the newly elected members to 19 of the 20 District Health Boards across the country.
“DHB Boards have a critical leadership role in the health sector, and the Boards have an important role in the sector’s ability to further improve the health outcomes of all New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says mental health awareness week is a good reminder for people to think about their mental health and wellbeing.
The theme of this year’s mental health awareness week is 'Connect with nature for good mental health and wellbeing.’
“One in five New Zealanders will experienced a mental health issue during their lifetime. It’s important people can access the appropriate mental health and addiction services that they need,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says Healthy Families NZ is helping communities around the country to make healthy changes.
“Healthy Families NZ is about encouraging people to live healthier lives by making good food choices, being physically active, moderating alcohol consumption and being smoke-free,” says Dr Coleman.
“The initiative challenges communities to think differently about how to address the underlying causes of poor health.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman say the Government is investing $3 million via the Major Events Development Fund to showcase Kiwi culture, arts, innovation and hospitality during the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017.
“This investment will help New Zealand and the seven host regions to showcase what the country has to offer and to capitalise on the expected 20,000 international visitors,” says Mr Joyce.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Associate Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner say the 2016 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey and Index shows Cantabrians are making good progress.
“The survey of over 3,000 greater Christchurch residents shows that Cantabrians’ quality of life and wellbeing continues to improve, and fewer people are negatively impacted by earthquake stressors,” says Dr Coleman.
Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner say the country is extremely proud of what our Paralympians achieved in Rio.
“Our 31 Kiwi Paralympians achieved 21 medals in total - nine gold, five silver, and seven bronze – that’s three medals over their target,” says Dr Coleman.
“On a medals per capita basis, New Zealand topped the table, maintaining the top position it achieved in London 2012.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government has approved the first of three stages of the redevelopment of Dunedin Hospital.
“The redevelopment is a great opportunity to build modern facilities based on sustainable healthcare services to meet the needs of Dunedin and the wider Southern community,” says Dr Coleman.
“The Government has now approved the Strategic Assessment which sets out the case for change and the very clear need to invest in infrastructure at Dunedin Hospital.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith say 13.1 hectares of vacant land at Counties Manukau is being freed up for housing.
“The Government has approved an application by Counties Manukau DHB to release vacant land at the Manukau SuperClinic Browns Road site,” says Dr Coleman.
“It makes sense for DHBs to sell land they don’t need for future use as it allows them to reinvest the proceeds into new or upgraded health facilities.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says Pharmac is delivering millions in savings for DHBs on hospital medical devices.
“DHBs are benefiting as a result of Pharmac’s expanded role in national procurement of hospital medical devices - making savings which can be reinvested into frontline health services,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new data shows Pharmac is delivering more subsidised medicines, benefiting millions of Kiwis.
“Pharmac’s model for increasing New Zealander’s access to subsidised medicines and treatments is world class,” says Dr Coleman.
“New Zealanders received 44 million subsidised prescription items in 2015/16. That’s one million more subsidised prescriptions than the previous year, and over 10 million more compared to eight years ago.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says thousands more vulnerable families living in unhealthy homes will get the help they need from next month’s expansion of the Healthy Homes Initiatives.
“$18 million is being invested as part of Vote Health in Budget 2016 to expand Healthy Homes Initiatives to reduce preventable illnesses among at risk low income families with newborns to five year olds,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says DHBs are making progress on their suicide prevention initiatives, but there is more work to be done.
Tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day – the international theme for 2016 is ‘Connect, Communicate, Care’.
“Suicide is a serious issue, around 500 Kiwis take their lives every year, and many more Kiwis are impacted by each tragic loss. High quality mental health services can play a part in reducing the risk of suicide,” says Dr Coleman.
Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has today announced that Bill Moran, former Treasury Deputy Secretary, and Jason Shoebridge, Chief Executive of Kantar NZ, have been appointed to the Sport NZ Board.
“I am pleased to welcome Bill and Jason to the Sport NZ Board. They are both outstanding additions who will bring significant knowledge and experience to the Board,” says Dr Coleman.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a pilot which connects stroke patients at smaller hospitals with specialists via video link is showing early promise.
“Around 9,000 people have a stroke each year in New Zealand. Early identification and treatment is crucial to reduce the likelihood of brain damage and lasting harm,” says Dr Coleman.
“All DHBs now offer clot busting medicines or stroke thrombylosis, but it’s not available 24/7 in all DHBs.
