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Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says there has been a high level of interest from New Zealand health professionals wanting to join international efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. 

“Since expressions of interest opened last Monday, 34 people have registered their interest via the Ministry of Health website,” says Dr Coleman.

The Government is facilitating the deployment of up to 24 volunteers as part of the Australian-flagged mission in Sierra Leone. The Australian mission involves operating a 100-bed Ebola treatment centre. 

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government will upgrade New Zealand’s therapeutic products regulation following the decision not to proceed with a joint regulator with Australia.

“Both Governments have agreed that a joint regulator has been thoroughly explored, but in the end respective interests are best served by separate therapeutic regimes,” says Dr Coleman.

“I have asked the Ministry of Health to develop a comprehensive regulatory scheme for therapeutic products in New Zealand.

The Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Health for Australia, and the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Health for New Zealand, today announced their governments’ agreement to cease efforts to establish a joint therapeutic products regulator, the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency (ANZTPA).
 
The decision was taken following a comprehensive review of progress and assessment of the costs and benefits to each country of proceeding.  

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government has agreed to explore a proposal put forward by DHBs to move implementation of the shared services programme to a DHB-owned vehicle.

“While Health Benefits Limited (HBL) has made good progress in developing savings plans for DHBs, the responsibility for implementing these business cases needs to sit with DHBs,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an innovative IT programme is enabling arthritis patients at the Hutt Valley DHB to self-monitor in the community, freeing up hospital resources for the sickest patients.

“Unlike some rheumatic conditions, inflammatory arthritis requires close monitoring for a significant time as the disease progression can be very unpredictable and can involve several medications,” says Dr Coleman.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne heads for Washington DC today to attend the Commonwealth Fund’s 17th International Symposium on Health Care Policy.

“A major theme of the 2014 symposium is how different health systems meet the challenge of delivering care for patients with high needs and high costs,” says Mr Dunne.

Along with a number of other health ministers from Europe and North America, Mr Dunne will participate in panels and policy roundtable events.

Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Foreign Minister Murray McCully have outlined further support from New Zealand to help combat the spread of Ebola.

“Ebola is having a devastating impact in parts of West Africa. More than 5,000 people have died from the disease and it is estimated that more than 14,000 people have become infected,” Dr Coleman says.

“If the developed world fails to act, case numbers will exponentially increase, with devastating consequences for long term stability in Africa.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says Antibiotic Awareness Week is a chance for New Zealanders to contribute to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.

“The overuse and misuse of antibiotics is a major cause of antimicrobial resistance, a growing problem that results in a microorganism (for example, bacteria, fungus, virus or parasite) not responding to an antimicrobial drug used to treat an infection”, says Mr Dunne.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more Kiwis are being screened for diabetes, and more support is being offered to those living with the condition.

“Diabetes is one of our most significant health challenges affecting more than 240,000 New Zealanders, with many more at-risk or undiagnosed,” says Dr Coleman.

“That’s why we need to maintain our focus on detecting diabetes through the ‘More Heart and Diabetes Checks’ target, as well as ensuring our healthcare staff have the resources they need to address this modern epidemic.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says New Zealand is prepared to respond to a range of potential scenarios involving Ebola, with a table-top exercise held in Wellington today as part of ongoing readiness activities.

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

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated the winner of a challenge to find innovative IT ideas to improve health services.

“The Clinicians’ Challenge encourages health professionals to find ways technology can solve problems they face in their day-to-day practice and make a difference to the health of New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

Thank you to Liz Schoff, HiNZ Board Chair, for the invitation to speak to you all today.

This conference has had a 30 percent increase in attendance since last year, which highlights the increasing importance of health informatics and the broader topic of eHealth.

It’s pleasing to see that Clinicians Challenge has attracted a record 79 entries. This shows clinicians recognise the importance of using technology to improve clinical practice and lift outcomes for patients.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new Health Workforce New Zealand reports show New Zealand has a sound strategy in place on workforce planning.

“We have a good system in place for identifying and addressing workforce issues, and it is paying dividends despite the global workforce challenges,” says Dr Coleman.

Thank you for inviting me to open the New Zealand Blood Service’s new Christchurch Blood Centre.

I am pleased that one of my first acts as the new Minister of Health is to open a facility that will be part of Christchurch’s recovery from the devastation caused by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

The redevelopment of Christchurch remains a priority for the Government. 

In particular, the Government is committed to re-establishing high quality health facilities, such as this new Christchurch Blood Centre. 

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today officially opened the New Zealand Blood Service’s new state-of-the-art Christchurch Blood Centre.

“This modern facility in Addington is essential in maintaining New Zealand’s self-sufficiency in blood and blood products, and it is another important step in restoring Christchurch’s infrastructure,” says Dr Coleman.

The $26 million centre will process all the blood collected in the South Island and replaces the Riccarton Road facility which is no longer fit for purpose.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman today saw physical activity and nutrition programme Project Energize in action at Manaia View School in Northland.

“New Zealand has a growing obesity problem and projects like Project Energize can make a big difference,” says Dr Coleman

“We know that sport and good nutrition helps to keep kids healthy, and it helps them do better in the classroom. Project Energize wraps up all these factors in one package and it is delivering great results.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, in marking National Oral Health Day today, says additional investment in child dental services has seen a major improvement in our children’s oral health, but there is more to do.

“More children are now benefiting from the free services provided by our Community Oral Health Service, with an encouraging decline in tooth decay which brings lifetime benefits.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today opened the Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre in Whangarei. 

“The Government is focused on ensuring New Zealanders have timely access to the best possible cancer care close to home,” says Dr Coleman.

“The new Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre means that Northlanders will now be able to receive more complex treatments by local clinicians in one purpose built facility.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the first reading of legislation to make sunbeds R18 and improve the management of serious infectious diseases.

“The Health (Protection) Amendment Bill brings together two separate but equally important sets of changes which will protect New Zealanders from these preventable harms,” says Dr Coleman.

If passed, the Bill will stop the harm caused to people aged under 18 years by artificial (UV) tanning machines.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government is considering options for moving to the implementation stage of the DHB shared services programme.

“Health Benefits Limited (HBL) has made good progress in developing savings plans for DHBs,” says Dr Coleman.

“These programmes will result in substantial savings being freed up from the back office and re-invested into frontline health services such as more operations, and better cancer treatment.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an additional 42,885 New Zealanders benefited from Pharmac’s decisions on funded medicines in 2013/14.

“Pharmac has a good track record on controlling pharmaceutical costs while increasing subsidised medicines and treatments for more New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

“Its latest annual report for 2013/14 shows in the last year Pharmac funded 26 new medicines and widened access to a further 35 medicines. This has benefited thousands of New Zealanders.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a series of Ebola readiness briefings for key health sector staff in major metropolitan centres gets underway in Christchurch today.

“While the risk of Ebola entering New Zealand remains very low, it's important that we are continuously maintaining our levels of preparedness,” says Dr Coleman.

“These briefings by the Ministry of Health are part of this – we are continuously following the international situation and updating our processes on the basis of the best possible scientific advice.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the Health Promotion Agency’s latest alcohol moderation campaign which launches tonight with a television campaign promoting water as a tool to pace your drinking.

“Binge drinking is a major issue for New Zealand with the social and economic effects impacting on individuals, communities and New Zealand as a whole,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the establishment of a new research health fellowship at Waikato DHB which will look at rehabilitation.

“We want those who need rehabilitation following a stroke or an accident to get the care and support they need so they can live longer healthier lives away from hospitals,” says Dr Coleman.