Health Funding

More than 230,000 New Zealand patients are missing out on modern medicines that are available in other countries due to a massive government funding shortfall, a new report says

The Ministry of Health’s patient-centred approach to administering the shingles vaccine has caused widespread grumpiness in general practices who must shoulder the cost 

This is the text of a letter sent to Michael James, Canterbury DHB pharmacy portfolio manager, by a pharmacist who wishes to remain anonymous

The Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand is winding down most of its activities after running out of money, but chair, GP Martin London, is clinging to hope it may be resurrected

Documents detailing the events surrounding the breakdown in pharmacy services contract negotiations between the DHBs and sector agents have been made public

Health minister David Clark wants DHBs to be more open with the ministry and his office, following revelations of rot and decay at Middlemore Hospital

Pharmacists have less than two weeks to get to grips with a controversial new services contract that has potential to change completely how they do their job and get paid

Redundancy expenses bal­looned and spending on con­sultants topped out at the Ministry of Health, as its big re­structure ramped up in the year to last June

The Pharmaceutical Society is asking DHBs and contract groups to go back to the negotiating table and rework the proposed community pharmacy contract

Tension between government and health professionals is a permanent backdrop to health policy and healthcare delivery, writes University of Auckland health policy researcher Tim Tenbensel