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Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed today’s Court of Appeal’s decision, dismissing the Problem Gambling Foundation’s challenge to the Ministry of Health’s procurement process for problem gambling services.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne is applauding a campaign by St John to reduce assaults on ambulance officers. The campaign has been launched because of the high and increasing number of cases of verbal and physical assaults on staff.

“Ambulance staff arrive at a scene to provide care, so it is distressing that they become a target for violence and abuse,” says Mr Dunne.

Legislation has been introduced to enable DHBs rather than local authorities to decide whether community water supplies are fluoridated, says Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.

“While New Zealand’s oral health has improved dramatically over the last 30 years, we still have high rates of preventable tooth decay,” says Dr Coleman.

Patient Safety Week starts today and coincides with the release of a new report showing patient harm reduction and cost savings have been achieved through improved health services.

Running until 5 November, Patient Safety Week 2016 encourages open communication between health professionals and consumers. It is promoted by many district health boards and other health providers and supported by the Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) and the Accident Compensation Corporation.

Families are the focus of the first-ever Gambling Harm Awareness Week, Associate Minister of Health Hon Peter Dunne said today.

The week aims to draw attention to the harmful effects that gambling can have and how people can get help.

“The theme of the week is Family Time – Time Together can beat gambling harm.

“It encourages New Zealanders to spend time with their family this week instead of gambling.

Associate Health Minister Hon Peter Dunne has launched an action plan today aimed at better supporting those affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and reducing the numbers of babies born with this preventable condition.  

“FASD is considered internationally to be a leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental problems, with some researchers estimating that it occurs in one in 100 children.

A new electronic Patient Report Form (ePRF) used by ambulance officers has been successfully rolled out around most of the country. The new technology, which is part of a joint initiative between St John, the Ministry of Health and ACC, gives ambulance officers access to better patient details, including their NHI information and any previous ambulance call outs.

The ePRF has replaced St John's hand-written clinical records with an electronic version written on a tablet. The ePRF is installed on 600 dedicated tablets. So far, more than 223,000 ePRFs have been completed.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has released an updated three-year strategy to prevent and minimise the harm that can result from gambling.

"The latest plan aims to build on the work done in more recent years which has resulted in a reduction in risk factors for gambling harm.

“For example the number of adults engaging in multiple forms of gambling has reduced, as has the number of adults participating in monthly EGM gambling.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed expert clinical support of the Government’s approach to prescribing cannabis-based products from medical specialists and the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA).

Mr Dunne instructed Ministry of Health officials in March to undertake a targeted consultation with a range of medical specialists and the NZMA to determine whether the guidelines used to assess applications for prescribing cannabis-based products were still fit for purpose.

The reclassification of a series of drugs posing a serious health risk to young people continues to progress and has been welcomed by Associate Minister of Health, Hon Peter Dunne.

“The impact of the NBOMe family of drugs, particularly on young people, can be devastating and the pending change in classification with appropriate, stiffer penalties available sends a clear signal of the wider community’s condemnation of these substances”, says Mr Dunne

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne is travelling to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS), which takes place over 19-21 April.

“Major themes of the UNGASS meeting are likely to include the death penalty, new psychoactive substances and the impact of technology,” says Mr Dunne.

DHBs rather than local authorities will decide on which community water supplies are fluoridated under proposed changes announced today by Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.

“New Zealand has high rates of preventable tooth decay and increasing access to fluoridated water will improve oral health, and mean fewer costly trips to the dentist for more New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has today approved the use of a non-pharmaceutical grade cannabis-based product, following an application from the patient’s treating consultant.

The product applied for, Aceso Calm Spray, has been chosen for its low THC content to treat a severe case of Tourette’s Syndrome. While Sativex has previously been shown to be efficacious in treating the condition, the Aceso product has been chosen due to its reduced psychoactive side effects.

Associate Minister of Health, Hon Peter Dunne, has welcomed the publication of the report by CBG Health Research on older people’s oral health. The report, which has been released on the Ministry of Health website, investigates the oral health status of older people living in rest homes and those receiving home-based services in the community.

“The release of the report is very timely. The Ministry of Health has been consulting on the Health of Older People Strategy and this report makes a very useful contribution to that process.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne welcomed Parliament’s universal support at the First Reading of the Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Bill as it represents a significant step in reform of the law around severe addictions.

The Bill, which replaces the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act of 1966, provides for the compulsory treatment of people with severe substance addiction who cannot engage in treatment of their own accord.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed the strong level of interest shown by people in a proposed action plan for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Around 150 submissions have been received from across the country regarding a discussion document on the plan.

“This is a complex issue and I am delighted that people have been taking the time to share their insight and experience.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has asked Ministry of Health officials to review the guidelines for considering medical cannabis applications.

Mr Dunne said this is a new policy area for New Zealand’s Ministry of Health and the wider medical profession, so there will inevitably be fine tuning as the process develops.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne is welcoming the release of the Family Violence Death Review Committee’s (FVDRC) Fifth Report, which calls for agencies to work together better on preventing family violence. Mr Dunne is the Minister responsible for the Health Quality & Safety Commission. The FVDRC is an independent committee that reviews and advises the Commission on how to reduce the number of family violence deaths.

In light of recent and increasing commentary on the use, access to and funding of cannabis based medical products, attached is a fact sheet on the definition, current availability, status and authorisation process around the use of these products for therapeutic purposes. Further information can be found on the Ministry of health’s website at: http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/medicines-control/medicinal-cannabis