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The National-led Government is increasing the rest home bed subsidy by $10 million a year – a 5 per cent increase – as part of the government's ongoing plan to meet the changing needs of our population.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced a $40 million funding boost over the next four years for aged residential care and dementia services. The extra funding was earmarked in Budget 2014.

From July, patients will have the opportunity to provide feedback and rate their experiences in hospital - a move welcomed by Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew.

“DHBs will be running a quarterly survey of patients to find out what they think about their most recent stay in hospital,” says Mr Ryall.

The government is investing an extra $1.6 million into getting the healthy eating message out to Waitemata and Central Auckland’s hardest-to-reach new mums and their families.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says local community health groups and Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards are working together to encourage families, who are not well linked into health services, to access antenatal, postnatal and infant healthcare.

Patients will soon be able to provide more feedback on the care they receive in public hospitals, as part of the government’s drive to improve the quality of health services.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says a new national patient survey will be rolled out to all New Zealand public hospitals from mid next year and the results will be published regularly.

“Patient feedback is a vital indicator of how well health services are working for patients and their families,” says Mr Ryall.

The Government is investing $810,000 to support pregnant women and new mums to understand the importance of good nutrition and physical activity for their babies and for themselves.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says “recent international research evidence and advice from Professor Sir Peter Gluckman suggests that preconditions for overweight and obesity are set very early.

An online resource to showcase new and innovative approaches to better care for older people has been launched today by Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew.

Showcasing Aged-care Nursing features video and stories from nurses working in district health boards and aged care facilities, delivering quality care.

Launching the series at the New Zealand Nurses Organisation conference in Wellington, Mr Ryall commented on the increasing breadth of responsibilities nurses have across the health service.

The Government is investing almost $1.5 million in a new ‘whole of family’ nutrition and parenting project in South Auckland that will support all family members - from grandmas to cousins - who help feed and nurture their babies and toddlers.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says this is one in a series of Investments in Healthy Families the Government is making to help families around the country give their children a healthy start.

The Government is investing $680,000 to encourage Taranaki Mums to eat and exercise well during and after pregnancy, giving their babies a healthy start.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says “recent international research evidence and advice from Professor Sir Peter Gluckman suggests that preconditions for overweight and obesity are set very early.

The Government is investing $2.28 million to help mums and their families make better food choices for themselves and their babies.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the Government is investing in a new workforce development programme for health professionals who care for pregnant women and babies.

“The new training programme will give front-line health workers the latest evidence-based research into how pregnancy and early life events can influence long term health outcomes,” Mr Ryall says.

Aged care and dementia services will benefit from an extra $70 million over the next four years, Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew say.

“The Government continues to support older New Zealanders to be healthier and independent in their own homes or in aged care,” Mr Ryall says. “And we are putting extra money into funding better awareness, early detection and care of dementia.”

Budget 2013 is providing:

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew wish to express their sympathy to the family of Napier GP Dr Peter Foley.

“Peter held many leadership roles in the health sector and he made a very significant contribution. He always put patients first and worked tirelessly to improve services for them,” Mr Ryall says.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says more women than ever before are taking part in potentially lifesaving screening programmes for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer.  

“72 per cent of women eligible for breast screening had mammograms last year – 10 per cent more than in 2008,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“And nearly 60,000 more women took part in the National Cervical Screening Programme last year compared to four years ago. A total of 870,000 smear tests were carried out last year.

The Government is committed to ensuring people with dementia receive help sooner and has invested $250,000 in a national awareness campaign.

TV commercials and magazine advertising raising awareness about dementia and the help available for people affected by this devastating condition starts this week. 

“The campaign, managed by Alzheimers New Zealand, aims to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with dementia and to encourage people to see a doctor if they or someone they know is showing signs of the condition,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

The National-led Government is making it easier for disabled and older New Zealanders to live independently at home longer by increasing home and community support services.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says 14.4 million hours of home and community support were provided to disabled and older New Zealanders last financial year – 2.5 million more hours than four years ago.

“These extra support hours are used to help people with activities such as showering, dressing, and preparing a meal,” says Mr Ryall.