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What's new on our website

The latest updates to this website are listed below:

November 2008

A National Professional Development Framework for Palliative Care Nursing in Aotearoa New Zealand (21 Nov)
This document, like the complementary A National Professional Development Framework for Cancer Nursing in Aotearoa New Zealand (in publication), provides a set of competency indicators that describe generalist and specialty practice in palliative care nursing, for nurses, managers and educators. It was developed as part of the implementation of the New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy (Ministry of Health 2001) and the Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan 2005–2010 (Ministry of Health 2005).

Development and Implementation of a National Funding and Service System for Hearing Aids (20 Nov)
This report is the first stage of a of a wider project that aims to develop and implement a system that will provide the Ministry with a cost-effective way of purchasing hearing aids. It will aims to make access to hearing aids more affordable and equitable for people who need them.

Long-Term Conditions Programme update, November 2008 (14 Nov)

Clinical Practice Guidelines in Australia and New Zealand for the Management of Melanoma (13 Nov)
The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan has specific actions for prevention, early detection and treatment goals that have supported the collaboration between Australia and New Zealand to develop this guideline.

Health and Independence Report 2008 (11 Nov)
The 2008 Health and Independence Report provides a context for the Ministry of Health’s encounters with the health and disability support system, and explores the activities and initiatives that guide the system, the scope of activity across the system, and the outcomes that are being achieved for New Zealanders. In doing so, this report accounts for the considerable investment of taxpayers’ money in the health and disability system.

Service Planning and New Health Intervention Assessment (SPNIA) - Redeveloped section launched (11 Nov)
This section includes information on the process used in the annual decision cycle, who's involved, and the business case topics that have been reviewed using the framework.

October 2008

Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2008) (30 Oct)

Latest Mental Health Newsletter - now available (24 Oct)

Scanning the Horizon Newsletter: October issue (22 Oct)

Health Targets - Moving towards healthier futures, 2007/08: The Results (amended 17 Oct)
This publication provides information on progress towards the 10 Health Targets in 2007/08. View also the online version of the 2007/08 report in the Health Targets section - Full year report 2007/08.

Annual Report for the Year ended 30 June 2008 (17 Oct)

Invitation to Forums - Future of the Medical Workforce (17 Oct)

Research on the Recruitment and Retention of Rural Midwives (17 Oct)

DVD: Nurse Practitioner - a healthy future (16 Oct)
The Nurse Practitioner DVD profiles two Nurse Practitioners in different settings, one in rural Northland and one based at Palmerston North Hospital. The film lasts for 10 minutes, and is recommended viewing for employers, nurses, NPs and consumers of health care services in New Zealand.

Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand (16 Oct)
The Guidelines for Cervical Screening in New Zealand incorporate results of an extensive review of evidence together with expert advice from a wide range of medical practitioners, epidemiologists and consumer representatives.

They replace the 1999 Guidelines for the management of women with abnormal cervical smears, and incorporate key National Cervical Screening Programme policies such as recommendations as to the age to start screening, how often to screen and when to stop.

National Diabetes Retinal Screening Grading System and Referral Guidelines (2006) and Resources (2008) (16 Oct)
The National Diabetes Retinal Screening Grading System and Referral Guidelines (2006) and CD (2008) identify grading and show images used in diabetes retinal screening. Accompanying the guidelines is a quick reference visual guide demonstrating Diabetic Retinopathy (Retina Peripheral to the Macula) and Diabetic Macula Disease.

DHB Hospital Benchmark Information Report: April - June 2008 (14 Oct)

Health Targets - Moving towards healthier futures, 2007/08: The Results (12 Oct)
This publication provides information on progress towards the 10 Health Targets in 2007/08. View also the online version of the 2007/08 report in the Health Targets section - Full year report 2007/08.

Maternity Action Plan 2008–2012 - Draft for Consultation (9 Oct)
The draft Maternity Action Plan sets out a strategic vision for maternity services for the next four years, and includes a series of actions to achieve the vision.

Review of the Quality, Safety and Management of Maternity Services in the Wellington Area (9 Oct)
The scope of the review was to report on the adequacy and appropriateness of accountability arrangements, including the systems and procedures that apply to maternity providers, and that ensure quality and safety in maternity services. The Terms of Reference also specified that the reviewers may identify issues to be looked at in the context of maternity services throughout the country.

Report on Patients Awaiting Cardiac Surgery: Capital and Coast District Health Board (7 Oct)
This report is a review of the cardio-thoracic services provided by Capital Coast District Health Board (C&CDHB) for patients from the Central region.

Cardiac Surgery Services in New Zealand (7 Oct)
This Report into Cardiac Surgery Services in New Zealand was initiated in May 2008 by the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) with the Cardiac Society, in direct response to ongoing concerns relating to cardiac surgery services.

Mental Health and Addiction of Older People and Dementia Project (6 Oct)
The Ministry of Health has commenced a project that will develop guidance to inform how district health boards (DHBs) provide services for people with dementia and people aged over 65 who are affected by mental health and addiction problems.

Contemporary Aspects of the Napier Hospital and Health Services Claim (Wai 692) - Deed of Settlement (3 Oct)
A Deed of Settlement between the Crown and the claimants, for the Contemporary Aspects of the Wai 692 - Napier Hospital and Health Services Claim, was signed by the Hon Mita Ririnui, Associate Minister of Health and the claimants in Napier on Friday 3 October 2008.

Latest issue of the HEHA Action Report - now available (2 Oct)

The Draft New Zealand Ambulance Service Strategy - The first line of emergency intervention in the contiuum of health care (2 Oct)
The Draft New Zealand Ambulance Service Strategy - The first line of emergency intervention in the contiuum of health care was developed by a team of Ministry and ACC officials, charged with defining an overarching framework for the future of ambulance services.

The document was released for consultation by the Minister Health and the Minister for ACC on 15 September 2008 and the closing date for submissions is 12 December 2008.

September 2008

Future of the Medical Workforce (30 Sep)
The Medical Training Board is seeking comment on three discussion papers relating to the future of the medical workforce in New Zealand and medical education and training in New Zealand.

Public Health Perspectives newsletter - latest issue now available (30 Sep)
Public Health Perspectives provides a key source of information and commentary on public health issues.

Prostate cancer resources - now available (29 Sep)
Two resources on testing for prostate cancer are now available in the Resources section. One is a consultation resource for primary care practitioners and the other is a information brochure for men and their families.

Chief Nurse Newsletter, September 2008 (23 Sep)

Mainstream Smoke Emissions from ‘Roll-Your-Own’ Loose Leaf Tobacco Sold in New Zealand (21 Sept)
Mainstream Smoke Emissions from 'Roll-Your-Own' Loose Leaf Tobacco Sold in New Zealand analyses the smoke emissions from several ‘regular’ and ’mild’ brands of loose (Roll-Your-Own) tobacco available in New Zealand and one manufactured cigarette.

Health Expenditure Trends in New Zealand 1996-2006 (18 Sept)
The information in this report provides a basis for identifying and measuring trends and changes in the patterns of health and disability expenditure in New Zealand

Primary Health Care Strategy Innovations Fund 2008/09 - Invitation to Apply for Funding (17 Sept)
Applications for the 2008/09 funding round are now open. Applications close 12 noon, Friday 14 November.

Summary DHB Sector Financial Report for the month ended 31 July 2008 now available (17 Sep)

Hearing Aid Subsidy for SuperGold Card Holders (16 Sept)

Latest Primary Mental Health Care Newsletter (12 Sept)
Provides information to the sector on developments in primary mental health care, particularly those led by the Ministry of Health

Men's Health - new section launched including information on the Men's Health Innovation Fund (12 Sept)

National Health Emergency Plan;H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy (11 Sept)
This document provides some details about New Zealand's H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine supplies, and outlines policies for the use of the vaccine.

National Health Emergency Plan; National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies (11 Sept)
This document provides some details about New Zealand's national reserves of health supplies for use in health emergencies, and outlines policies for their use.

Rural Midwifery Innovations Fund (4 Sept)
Applications for the next RMIF funding round are invited from Monday 8 September 2008 and will close at 12 noon Friday 24 October 2008.

Let’s get real Real Skills for people working in mental health and addiction (3 Sep)
A national project identifying the knowledge, skills and attitudes people need to deliver effective mental health and addiction services in New Zealand. The project was lead by the Ministry of Health and developed with sector stakeholders.

Working Together for Better Primary Health Care: Overcoming barriers to workforce change and innovation (3 Sep)
Report of the Workforce Taskforce on overcoming barriers to workforce change and innovation in primary health care.