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People in Wellington, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast will benefit from a new online system enabling doctors in emergency departments and after hours practices to view a summary of patients’ recent GP records.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today visited Wellington Hospital’s emergency department today to launch the system, called the Shared Care Record.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the expansion of the National Depression Initiative (NDI) to include voices from rural communities.

“Rural depression is a significant issue. We want rural people who might be isolated to know that they’re not alone,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Research shows that suicide rates amongst our rural communities are higher than urban areas. In recent years male suicide rates have been up to 67 per cent higher in rural areas compared to men living in towns and cities.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the news that already over 654,000 influenza vaccines have been distributed to New Zealanders.  

“31 March was day 36 of the 2014 influenza vaccination campaign and already we’re over halfway to our target of 1.25 million doses by 31 July,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“This year there has been a 10% increase on last year’s results over the same time period.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed data on Surgical Site Infections (SSI), which has been added to DHBs quarterly reporting on Quality and Safety Markers.

“SSIs are uncommon but can lead to pain, disability and even death. The data released today measures compliance with the right dose of antibiotics being administered at the right time,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced new appointments to two District Health Boards.

Bay of Plenty Chair Sally Webb has been appointed as Deputy Chair of Taranaki District Health Board.

“Ms Webb has been Chair of Bay of Plenty DHB since 2010. She has experience as a member of the Minister of Health’s Ministerial Reference Group in 2009, and as a director and interim Chief Executive Office of the Health Funding Authority,” says Mr Ryall.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia have today announced the government is investing an extra $32 million over four years so more people with autism receive support to lead full lives.

“From today, World Autism Awareness day, everyone with autism spectrum disorder is now eligible to be assessed for support services, such as supported living, respite and carer support,” says Mr Ryall.

Kia Ora. Thank you for inviting me here today to celebrate the newly developed South Waikato Health Centre.

It’s a great privilege for me to join you today.

The South Waikato Health Centre co-locates a number of health services here onsite at the Tokoroa Hospital.

Utilising two unused wards, the site has been transformed into modern facilities. 

Courts Minister Chester Borrows and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne have welcomed the Law Commission’s report reviewing the rules that govern how the media report on suspected suicides.

The Government asked the Law Commission to conduct the review examining this issue and to look at the role of social media in discussing suicide.

“I would like to thank the Law Commission for its thorough assessment of the law governing this very delicate subject,” says Mr Borrows.

(delivered by Tim Macindoe MP)

Thank you for the opportunity to open your fourth national conference, today here in Hamilton.

Having studied your programme, I can see this conference will be a great opportunity to share ideas and to hear evidence about advanced practice by Allied Health Professionals.

Cardiac doctors and nurses now have two new online tools designed to help improve the treatment of heart disease, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.
 
“Cardiovascular disease accounts for 40 per cent of deaths annually, making it the leading cause of death in New Zealand,” says Mr Ryall.
 
“Two new online cardiac registries will lead to better patient care – one for cardiologists, specialists and nurses to capture all cardiac interventions, and another for cardiac surgery.
 

Health Minister Tony Ryall says a new IT system is making it easier for health care services to access patient data quickly, preventing errors and improving patient care.

“Everyone who uses New Zealand’s health services has a unique number to help identify them, which is stored in the using the National Health Index,” says Mr Ryall.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the publication of DHB Quality Accounts, saying they are another tool to ensure New Zealanders get the best and safest health care possible.

“Quality Accounts show that quality of care is core business for DHBs, by placing the reporting of quality on an equal footing with financial reporting. This is a more mature and transparent approach to healthcare,” says Mrs Goodhew.

I have to admit to a great sense of excitement about the purpose of this smokefree summit.

The driving force behind this summit is to kickstart a revolution - the smokefree youth movement.

It is a revolution dear to my heart.

While the purpose - to eliminate tobacco from our lives is laudable - the really remarkable feature of this Summit is that it is your momentum, your inspiration, your leadership that is making it happen.

It is about you standing up for the kaupapa - telling the world that tobacco is not your future.

Good evening and thank you for the invitation to talk about the work we are doing to improve the public health service in New Zealand.

Good health is hugely important to New Zealand families. A strong public health service gives families peace of mind - knowing that the care they need will be there, when they need it.

And that's the priority of our government too. Protecting and growing the public health service for New Zealand families.

And with your support, the public health service is making a lot of progress.

Good afternoon and thank you the opportunity to speak at this event today.

Thanks to Dr Tutone, and Nora, for your speeches earlier, and a special thanks to Kim for sharing your remarkable story about your own journey as a kidney donor.

There are also a few other acknowledgements I’d like to make before I begin;

I am really pleased to be with you this morning at this National Tamariki Ora conference. It is a perfect opportunity to be able to recognise the contribution that Well Child Tamariki Ora makes to the health and wellbeing of our tamariki mokopuna.

Throughout the course of this week, as well as here in Heretaunga, I will be in Ohakune, Palmerston North, Wellington, Upper Hutt, Auckland, Waitangi and Waiheke Island before finally on Saturday I return to Whanganui.

There are some days that stand out above the rest. 8 November 2010 was one of those days.

That was the day Les Hokianga and his dozen champions biked to the Beehive – having cycled almost 300km, competing against headwinds, and freezing southerlies.   These weren’t professional cyclists – this was simply a team of men – very big men – who decided they wanted a better future for their whanau. 

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Jacob Tapiata for your warm introduction.

It’s a pleasure to be here today, and I thank Massey University for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this exciting event.

When I learned about this project called It’s My Life I was very impressed that you, the students, are the driving force behind it. 

I think it’s important that young people lead the way in creating a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025.

Tena koutou katoa Nga Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoa o Aotearoa.

There is a special poignancy about being here at Owhata Marae today.   

One of the distinguished features of this marae, is the sacred rock called Iriirikapua – the place at which the tupuna kuia, Hinemoa, would sit, listening to Tutanekai playing his kouaua from Mokoia Island.

Today, we think of the plaintive beauty of that sound as it lingered over the waters – and we grieve as we remember the koroua, Hiwinui Heke and everything he meant to us.  

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has refuted entirely claims by the opposition that Problem Gambling Foundation funding is being cut due to political pressure.

“The Ministry of Health clearly signalled in 2012 that it would go to the market for the provision of gambling harm minimisation services during its public consultation on this issue, and this is the outcome of that process”, says Mr Dunne.

Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew has welcomed a Ministry of Health report which has confirmed WiFi in schools does not pose a health risk to children or staff, with exposures many thousands of times lower than the relevant standard.

“The report covers a snapshot study carried out following concerns from some schools and parents over whether exposure to radiofrequency fields produced by WiFi could cause health problems, particularly in young children” says Mrs Goodhew.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today opened a new $5 million satellite dialysis unit at Keneperu Hospital – greatly improving access to this lifesaving treatment for Greater Wellington communities.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says demonstration programmes underway in three DHBs have communities working together to improve local maternity and child health services.

The government has allocated $1.5 million across Counties Manukau, Nelson Marlborough and Lakes DHBs to roll out the demonstrations in Otara, Rotorua, Taupo, Turangi, Nelson and Blenheim.

Nominations are now open for the 2014 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards - celebrating the service of New Zealand’s health volunteers.

“These awards recognise the dedicated volunteers who are a valued part of New Zealand’s public health service,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

“The first Minister of Health Volunteer Awards held last year drew more than 90 nominations, and I hope to see even more this year.