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Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has announced that the seasonal influenza immunisation programme will be extended to the end of August.

“The vaccine was due to be funded until 31 July, but our surveillance shows that winter flu cases are rising and have not yet peaked,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“As the peak is still to come hospitals are likely to see more people with the illness, so it is worthwhile to extend the funded vaccination season.”

Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced there will be an additional 34 medical places for students next year at our two medical schools, including more positions earmarked for rural students.

Mr Ryall made the announcement at Taumarunui Hospital, a busy rural health facility in the King Country with around 100 staff. 

“Research shows that students who grew up in rural areas, such as Taumarunui, are more likely to go back and work in those areas. These extra places will help encourage more doctors to work in our rural communities,” says Mr Ryall.

I want to thank Waitangi Wood and Lee Tuki, current Māori caucus representatives for the opportunity to talk with you and Warren Lindberg in his role as Chief Executive.

In ten days’ time, I will be preparing to give my valedictory speech.   Usually in election year there is a curious intensity, as campaign fever takes over Parliament.  Add to that, the frenzy that is associated with the impending closure of the Parliament, let alone the end of eighteen years of service, and you can probably guess that the demands on my time are at an all-time high.

Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows young people with mental health or addiction problems are receiving treatment faster than ever before.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says nine out of ten young people, aged 0-19, needing non-urgent mental health or addiction treatment are being seen within the eight week target.

“This is great for young people and their families – the sooner young people receive treatment and support the sooner they can get back to school, training or their job,” says Mr Ryall.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says despite a drop in the number of whooping cough cases being reported, it is still a threat to babies.

“Whooping cough is a serious infectious disease that affects all age groups and is most often severe in very young children,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Whooping cough often occurs in epidemic cycles lasting two to five years. The current epidemic in New Zealand began in August 2011.

More than 3,300 children most at risk of developing rheumatic fever have had their sore throat checked recently at a free drop-in clinic, as part of the government’s $67 million rheumatic fever prevention programme.

Health Minister Tony Ryall visited two sore throat drop-in clinics in the Auckland suburbs of Glen Innes and Māngere today and talked to GPs, practice nurses and pharmacists about the difference the free clinics are making for families.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is reminding people eligible for a free flu vaccine to get in before the annual immunisation programme ends on 31 July.

“The number of flu cases reported by GPs and in hospitals has already starting to climb and we’re expecting this to continue,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Influenza puts hundreds of New Zealanders in hospital every year, and keeps many more off work and school. For example, pregnant women are 18 times more likely to be hospitalised with the flu than women who are not pregnant.

A new programme to prevent children missing out on important health services has been welcomed by Health Minister Tony Ryall.

A three year $900,000 study into prostate cancer care shows most men and their families are pleased with the care they received.

Speaking at the launch of the final report from the Midlands Prostate Cancer Study in Hamilton today, Health Minister Tony Ryall said the study makes very interesting reading and contributes significantly to the evidence base around prostate cancer in New Zealand.

“The study showed good results for men with prostate cancer. There is a high survival rate – with a majority of men surviving over ten years.

Tēnā koutou katoa.

Ki ngā kuia me ngā koroua o Ahuriri, tēnā koutou.

Ki ngā whānau me ngā hapū o Ahuriri, tēnā koutou katoa.

Ki te Poari Matua me ngā kaimahi o Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri, tēnā koutou. Otirā ki a tātou te hunga ora, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

I am so very pleased to be here at this wonderful celebration of two decades of dedication. 

E ngā kanohi o Ngāti Raukawa i konei i tēnei rā, tēnā koutou katoa.

He mihi nui rawa atu ki a koutou kua tae mai nei ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te rā nei. Tēnā koutou.

Your Honour the Mayor and Councillors of the Horowhenua District Council.

The Chair and Chief Executive of Mid Central District Health Board.

The Chair and General Manager of Te Rūnanga o Raukawa.

The executive leadership of the bCentral Primary Health Organisation

The fabulous project sponsors of Te Waiora – Materoa Mar and Ana Winiata.

In three weeks time, at about this time of the day, I will stand to deliver my valedictory speech after 18 years in Parliament.  

The usual pre-election frenzy of making sure all loose ends are tied up has intensified beyond belief, as I look critically across all my portfolios, and assess what needs to be done before I shut down the computer and close the door.

But if there’s one thing I know for sure, it is that the future for tobacco reform has never been more promising.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced the government is investing an extra $3.8 million to further increase the number of GP and primary care doctor training places.

“The additional funding will mean up to 170 junior doctors will be accepted into the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP), run by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners,” says Mr Ryall.

“This will be the biggest intake of government funded GPEP training places ever.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed new data showing DHBs are making good progress with taking steps to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).

“SSIs are uncommon but can cause emotional and financial stress, serious illness, longer hospital stays, long-term disabilities and even death,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Minister of Health and Minister for Whānau Ora Tariana Turia says that latest figures show general practices in Whānau Ora collectives are making continued progress in improving the health of high needs populations.

The recent paper, Report on the Performance of General Practices in Whānau Ora Collectives as at March 2014, compares the results of a sample of 37 general practices, which are part of Whānau Ora collectives, against a national sample of 100 general practices.

Special legislation designed to ensure timely recovery following the Canterbury earthquakes will be used to deliver appropriate Christchurch health facilities to meet an expected spike in demand in 2018.

The Ministry of Health has asked Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee to exercise his powers under section 27 of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 to ensure prompt delivery of the city’s new Acute Services Building at Christchurch Hospital.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says a spate of new measles cases dotted around the North Island highlights the need for people to check if they have been immunised.

Over the last week new measles cases have been confirmed in Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and the Bay of Plenty.

“Measles is a serious and highly-infectious disease, and this flurry of new cases shows just how easily it can spread,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says work is underway to ensure the most up-to-date practices are being used in our screening programmes.

“New Zealand has first class screening programmes and to ensure they stay that way it’s important that we’re proactively looking for new advances in screening technology and practices,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“For that reason the Ministry of Health’s National Screening Unit (NSU) is exploring options that might enhance our antenatal, newborn and cervical screening.”

Health Minister Tony Ryall met with mums at a Plunket group in Wellington to launch the new Well Child Tamariki Ora health book – the first major revision to the book in over quarter of a century.

“The book, commonly known as a Plunket book, provides up-to-date information and advice for new parents on a range of topics from teething and toilet training to postnatal depression and car seat safety,” says Mr Ryall.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming the introduction of free rotavirus vaccination from today.

“The vaccine, which is given orally rather than an injection, will be part of babies’ standard immunisations at ages six weeks, three months and five months,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

“Usually with childhood vaccines, if you’re late you can catch up. But for rotavirus, babies must have the first of three doses before they are 15 weeks old. If they’re too late, then babies will miss out,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced changes introduced under the Medicines Amendment Act 2013 and the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations 2014 broadening the scope for prescribing by nurse practitioners, optometrists and midwives that come into force tomorrow.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew today announced additional investment of $18 million to further improve the care of rest home residents throughout the country.

The funding will support the rollout of regular comprehensive clinical assessments of each of the 32,000 older New Zealanders living in rest homes.

“The Government is making available up to an extra $18 million over four years to provide ongoing support and training for nurses and rest homes from July 2015, as agreed during recent aged care contract negotiations,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia facilitated the dual launch of Tangata o le Moana – the Auckland Regional Provider Network and the refreshed ‘Ala Mo’ui: Pathways to Pacific Health and Wellbeing 2014-2018 at Pacific Homecare in Papatoetoe, Auckland this week.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging anyone who has not yet been immunised against influenza to do so before the winter season peaks in late July to early August.

“The vaccine takes up to two weeks to take effect, so now is the time to take action to avoid catching and spreading influenza,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Every year in New Zealand people are hospitalised with influenza. It can cause serious complications and death, even in previously healthy people.”