Health NZ told to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts
Health NZ has been directed to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries.
Health Minister Simeon Brown made the request in his Letter of Expectations to Health New Zealand's Commissioner Lester Levy, which was sent in March, but

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
Cannabis cake taken to shared lunch at Hawke's Bay Hospital
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Health Minister Simeon Brown says police are investigating after two staff members at Hawke's Bay Hospital ended up in ED after eating a cannabis cake. TVNZ reported that the cake was brought to a shared lunch at the hospital on 30 June. Brown told media the staff involved were administrative staff. "No clinical staff were involved, but totally unacceptable behaviour. I understand Health NZ are taking it incredibly seriously and police are also investigating," he said. Brown said he doesn't know if the person who brought the cake to the shared lunch is still employed. "Ultimately, it's an employment matter and i'm not responsible for such matters, but it's been taken incredibly seriously," said Brown. He said the staff members who were taken to ED have been treated. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Health minister 'heartened' by rising child immunisation rates
The biggest increase was in South Canterbury, which delivered a 12.1 percentage point gain this quarter. Photo: AFP Health Minister Simeon Brown is "heartened" by rising childhood immunisation rates, with national coverage climbing to just under 80 percent in the first three months of the year. National coverage at 24 months climbed to 79.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024/25 - up 2.4 percentage points compared to the same quarter last year. "Protecting children from preventable illnesses like measles and whooping cough is a priority, so it's heartening to see more children across the country now fully immunised," Brown said. "These results show that our clear focus on health targets, combined with the efforts of our frontline workforce, is delivering real improvements for children." The biggest increase was in South Canterbury, which delivered a "remarkable" 12.1 point gain this quarter. That region had the third-highest coverage rate in the country - 87.5 percent - just behind Canterbury (89.9 percent) and Capital and Coast (88.9 percent). "Auckland lifted its coverage by 5.7 percentage points, Counties Manukau by 5.5, and Lakes by 5.2. Capital and Coast rose by 4.4 points, while Whanganui achieved a 5.8-point gain," Brown said. The rise in immunisation coverage was especially important following the recent measles cases in Wairarapa, he continued . "Measles is highly infectious, and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect our children and communities. Simeon Brown. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro "Every additional child immunised lowers the chance of outbreaks, helping to keep our families, schools, and communities safe and healthy." Wairarapa was one of five districts where immunisation coverage dipped compared with the same quarter last year. One (Southern) remained the same, while 14 others recorded increases. Brown said childhood immunisations were a key priority for the government. "That's why this government has introduced performance payments for GP clinics that lift childhood immunisation rates by up to 10 percentage points, or reach 95 percent of their enrolled population - with partial payments for partial achievement." The interim target was to have 84 percent of two-year-olds fully vaccinated by June. Operational data released by the minister in May (yet to be verified) showed vaccination rates continued to rise after March, exceeding 80 percent (80.2 percent) for the first time since early 2022. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.


Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Childhood Immunisation Rates Continue To Climb
Minister of Health New figures released today show childhood immunisation rates at 24 months continue to rise, reflecting the Government's strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Kiwi children, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 'Protecting children from preventable illnesses like measles and whooping cough is a priority, so it's heartening to see more children across the country now fully immunised,' Mr Brown says. National coverage at 24 months has climbed to 79.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2024/25 – up 2.4 percentage points compared to the same quarter last year. 'These results show that our clear focus on health targets, combined with the efforts of our frontline workforce, is delivering real improvements for children.' The gains have been widespread across the country, with several districts showing strong improvement compared to the last quarter. 'Auckland lifted its coverage by 5.7 percentage points, Counties Manukau by 5.5, and Lakes by 5.2. Capital and Coast rose by 4.4 points, while Whanganui achieved a 5.8-point gain.' The South Island also recorded excellent progress. 'Nelson Marlborough saw a 5.2-point increase, and South Canterbury delivered a remarkable 12.1-point gain this quarter.' Mr Brown says the rise in immunisation coverage is especially important following the recent cases of measles in Wairarapa. 'These cases are a timely reminder of why staying on top of immunisations is so important. Measles is highly infectious, and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect our children and communities. 'Every additional child immunised lowers the chance of outbreaks, helping to keep our families, schools, and communities safe and healthy. 'Childhood immunisations are a key priority for this Government. We want to see 95 per cent of children fully immunised by 2030, and we know GPs play a critical role in achieving that,' Mr Brown says. 'That's why this Government has introduced performance payments for GP clinics that lift childhood immunisation rates by up to ten percentage points, or reach 95 per cent of their enrolled population – with partial payments for partial achievement.' Mr Brown says the Government is backing local services and frontline staff to keep building momentum. 'Putting patients first means giving every child the healthiest possible start to life. We're continuing to invest in community outreach, local services, and the workforce needed to lift immunisation coverage even further. 'There's still more work to do, but this latest data shows we're heading in the right direction,' Mr Brown says. The new figures released today are verified data and show the district breakdown of the Government's improved immunisation health target for the third quarter of 2024/25 (January to March 2025). More recent operational data released in May shows that childhood immunisation rates have continued to rise further: