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More young people with alcohol, drug and other addiction problems will receive the help and support they need thanks to an almost $3 million investment from the government.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Todd McClay have today announced extra funding for youth addiction services at Northland and Southern District Health Boards (DHBs).

Mr Ryall said both DHBs will receive $860,000 to build on existing youth addiction services in Dunedin, rural Otago, Southland, Whangarei and Kaitaia.

Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay has said that the Psychoactive Substances Code of Manufacturing Practice which comes into force today is the latest regulatory measure to minimise harm to individuals from psychoactive substances.

New Zealanders who have a long-term disability that isn’t covered by ACC may be eligible to receive funding for housing modifications through the Ministry of Health.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says in the last financial year more than 3,300 disabled New Zealanders received over $9 million worth of housing modifications, giving them more control and confidence in their living arrangements.

GPs across the country are swapping pens for keyboards and are now referring patients for specialist care online – reducing how long their patients wait for an appointment.

When a patient needs to be referred to a hospital specialist for further assessment or treatment, GPs can now complete an electronic referral form, send it at the touch of a button and receive an immediate notification that it has been received.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says last year general practices sent nearly half a million patient referrals electronically to public hospitals.

Hon Tariana Turia, the Associate Minister of Health has released ‘Wharekauri, Rēkohu, Chatham Islands Health and Social Needs’ at a community hui on the Chatham Islands. The report provides an overview of the health and social needs of the Chatham Islanders and the services that are available to meet them. It identifies gaps in the services and discusses options to address these.

If you're moving to a new town this new year, shifting your medical records from one general practice to another is now a lot easier.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says transferring medical records between GPs can be a lengthy process, but now all general practices can use a secure electronic system called GP2GP to make the process faster and easier.

I want to thank Nikora Lanifole and the roopu from Hato Petera who have welcomed us here today who provided a perfect foundation from which to launch this report.

Thank you also to Stevie Davis-Tana, for your fine work in hosting this hui today.

Kiwi Health Jobs, a national job website advertising vacancies in public hospitals, has reached another milestone with over 650,000 visits since its launch in 2011.

Kiwi Health Jobs currently advertises clinical and non-clinical jobs for all district health boards (DHBs) and the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS).

“70 per cent of the 650,000 visits were from New Zealanders, with the remainder international visitors largely from the UK, Australia and the US,” says Mr Ryall.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says revised clinical guidelines released today will make it easier for New Zealanders to find out if they are at risk of developing heart disease or diabetes.

“Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in New Zealand. And diabetes is one of the fastest growing long-term conditions in the country,” says Mr Ryall.

“The earlier heart disease, pre-diabetes or diabetes are detected, the sooner that people can make healthy changes to their lifestyles.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that the Government has passed new regulations on hand-held high-power laser pointers.

“High-power laser pointers can cause eye injuries, even blindness, and skin burns. ACC accepts around 10 claims a year for these injuries,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“They can also cause temporary flash blindness, which poses a serious risk if the person affected is a pilot or in charge of a vehicle or equipment. The Civil Aviation Authority reports around 100 laser strike incidents on planes each year.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of general practice teams, more New Zealanders are getting checks for diabetes and heart disease, more babies are being immunised, and more people are getting help to quit smoking.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the latest national primary health care target results released today, show general practice teams are focused on improving the health of New Zealanders.

“28 out of 36 Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) have achieved or exceed the new immunisation target of 90 per cent,” says Mr Ryall.

I would like to acknowledge all the dignitaries from your communities tonight. I would also like to mihi to Ben Makisi and to my friend Arthur Anae and to Carmel Sepuloni. To the Director of Health from Fiji, Hilda Fa’asalele and to Cathy O’Malley. Also to the wonderful band.

Thank you to Fuimaono Karl for your warm welcome tonight.   I have to say, I have always liked your style. I am not really known for my style. Style is what tonight is all about.

Health Minister Tony Ryall was today joined by Prime Minister John Key to announce the main construction contract for Burwood Hospital’s multi-million dollar redevelopment has been signed today and construction will start in the New Year.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Amy Adams and Christchurch MP Nicky Wagner were also at today’s signing of the construction contract.

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia announced today that the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Products and Packaging) Amendment Bill has been lodged with the Clerk of the House, ready for a first reading soon after Parliament resumes in the new year.

“I look forward to taking the legislation through its Parliamentary stages in 2014.  That will include a select committee phase and the opportunity for people to make submissions on the bill,” says Minister Turia.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that a vaccine for rotavirus will be added to the National Immunisation Schedule.

“Rotavirus is a gastric infection which mainly affects children. It causes illness and diarrhoea that can lead to hospital admission. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“It is estimated that by funding this vaccine up to 1200 hospital admissions could be avoided each year.

The Government is calling for submissions to update and help shape its National Drug Policy, Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay announced today.

The National Drug Policy aims to minimise the harm caused by tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs by setting out coordinated and consistent action for government agencies and community groups to address the harm these substances can cause.

Record numbers of kiwi kids received a free B4 School Check (B4SC) from July to November this year – over 2700 more children than over the same period last year.

“More children than ever before are now receiving B4SCs to help identify any health or learning difficulties before  they start school,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the findings from recent health research that hazardous drinking among young people is on the decrease.

The figures, contained in data released by the Ministry of Health from the New Zealand Health Survey 2012/13, showed a reduction in hazardous drinking by young people from 35 per cent in 2006/07 to 25 per cent in 2011/12.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced the government is investing more funding into an initiative to ensure young people with cancer get the support and care they need.

“The Government has allocated an extra $650,000 over two years to help improve adolescent and young adult cancer services,” says Mr Ryall.

“Young people in the 12 to 24 year age group have unique cancer treatment needs. Evidence shows that when young people receive care that is delivered in a way that’s age appropriate, they do much better.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has welcomed the release of the independent review into residential disability providers’ performance and monitoring.

The review was overseen by an independent review panel chaired by consumer advocate David Russell. Disability Persons Assembly president Beverly Grammer, and management consultant Karen Van Eden were also on the panel.

Mr Ryall called for the independent review following concerns raised this year about some residential disability providers.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today commended DHBs for their dedication to patient safety.

“The Quality and Safety Markers released today show progress is being made in the use of interventions and practices known to reduce patient harm caused through falls, healthcare associated infections and surgery,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Baseline data was released in June 2013 by the Health Quality & Safety Commission, and this is the first quarterly report against those data.”

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia is extremely pleased at the 2013 Census results that show that the number of smokers in New Zealand has dropped by nearly a quarter since the 2006 Census. Statistics New Zealand released the results today which also show that smoking prevalence amongst Maori has dropped from 42.2% in 2006 to 32.7% in 2013.

The total number of adults smokers in New Zealand numbers 463,000 representing a drop of 23% from 598,000 at Census 2006. There are now 702,000 people who say they have given up smoking.

A new cardiac procedure for people whose blood pressure remains high even when on blood pressure lowering medicines will be part of a $1.2 million two year trial starting early next year.

“The trial uses renal denervation, a half-hour procedure that ‘zaps’ the nerves to the kidney to reduce blood pressure,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

“While this new treatment is still in its very early stages, it shows considerable promise for lowering blood pressure and in turn lowering the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today, on Safe Sleep Day, welcomed a decline in sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

“In 2012 there were 36 SUDI cases, down from 55 in 2008,” says Mrs Goodhew. The last decade has seen a significant decline in the rate of SUDI.

“Research has found the risk of SUDI can be decreased with safe sleep practices. This includes putting babies to sleep on their back, keeping bedding away from their face and making sure their rooms are smokefree.