Karen Brown
Bowel cancer screening programme to be reviewed
The long-awaited national screening programme for bowel cancer is to be reviewed. It follows the admission yesterday that 2,500 people who were eligible for screening as part of a pilot programme were… Audio
Person dies following bowel screening computer glitch
Three people developed bowel cancer, one of whom died, after 2500 Waitemata residents weren't invited to a screening programme due to a computer glitch. Karen Brown reports. Audio
Flu facemask rule under review at Waikato DHB
Waikato District Health Board is re-assessing, and could drop, a contentious policy requiring un-immunised staff to wear a mask when treating patients. The policy was brought in by the former DHB boss… Audio
Pharmac to fund Truvuda for 4000 people
The Aids Foundation says wider access to the key drug Truvada is a game-changer that could slash rising HIV infection rates. Audio
Outspoken - Vaccination
In this Outspoken, the recent outbreak of mumps has revived worries about the rate of immunisation - experts in this area look at gaps in our immunisation rate, ask why is that the case and what can… Audio
Mumps epidemic prompts calls for vaccination campaign
Health authorities are urging the Government to launch a mass vaccination campaign against mumps, as the number of cases in Auckland reaches epidemic levels. Audio
New weed law gets lukewarm support
A historic step forward or a "cruel gimmick"? Drug reform advocates react to the government's new medicinal cannabis law Audio
Herceptin trial shows 9 weeks as good as a year
A medical trial has shown Pharmac was right when it made a controversial decision to fund the breast cancer drug Herceptin for just nine weeks of treatment. The former National government overturned… Audio
GPs not surprised by critical report on Health Ministry
A highly critical report of the Health Ministry is being seen by doctors as proof the organisation is struggling. GPs say they now understand why the Minister wants a panel of independent advisors. Audio
Doctors welcome Health Director-General's departure
The head of the senior doctors union says he expects many will welcome the departure of the head of the Ministry of Health, Chai Chuah. Mr Chuah will be quitting the job in February, well before his… Audio
Compensation offered in effort to boost live organ donations
People who are willing and able to donate a kidney or part of a liver will receive financial help. It's part of ongoing efforts to boost live and deceased organ donation to reduce long waiting lists… Audio
Nigel Murray's $14m app project under investigation
State Services Commission has launched an investigation into Waikato DHB's purchase of a $14.6m app, which was disgraced former CEO Nigel Murray's pet project.
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Waikato DHB chair resigns over CEO controversy
The chair of the embattled Waikato District Health Board, Bob Simcock, has stepped down amid a furor over the former chief executive's expenses. But he insists he's done nothing wrong. RNZ health… Audio
Waikato DHB members back Simcock's resignation
Members of the embattled Waikato District Health Board and others say the chair, Bob Simcock, has made the right decision by resigning. Mr Simcock insists he's done nothing wrong but says stepping… Audio
Third of senior doctors admit being bullied - report
More than one in three senior doctors and dentists working in the public health system say they've been bullied. More than two-thirds have seen others being bullied, and many have been told off if… Audio
Waikato DHB chairman won't resign over CEO's overspending
Waikato DHB chairman Bob Simcock has denied responsibility and refused to resign over the over-spending by the DHB's former Chief Executive. Audio
Govt urged to act fast on mental health inquiry
Mental health leaders say Labour's promised ministerial inquiry must be short and sharp so urgent improvements are not delayed. Audio
Waikato DHB chair refuses to resign over fomer CEO's $218k bill
Health Minister, David Clark, has directed the State Services Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dr Nigel Murray's mis-spending. Audio
Tighter controls to stop fake doctors practising
A new system being adopted today is expected to prevent fake doctors from practising in this country. It will affect all doctors who want to work in this country but who have not trained either here… Audio
New govt to face health sector's 'intense dissatisfaction'
Health was a big issue during the election campaign. RNZ health correspondent Karen Brown says with DHBs under pressure and "intense dissatisfaction" in the health sector, Labour's David Clark will… Audio