Latest from Ministry of Health

Parliament urged to legalise medicinal cannabis

The mother of the first person to get approval to use medicinal cannabis in New Zealand has made an emotional plea to Parliament to make it easier for others to get access to the drug legally.

Not guilty by insanity - who decides?

What does it mean when a person charged with murder is found not guilty by reason of insanity?

Cancers left hidden by test change

Changes undermine value of national bowel screening programme, expert says.

Big increase in eating disorder cases at New Zealand clinics

Experts concerned by role of social media

Alleged illegal drug sales probed

Medicine ads pulled off Chinese language sites after inquiries made.

Tariana Turia: Time to tackle institutional racism

COMMENT: To reduce inequality, politicians need to ensure Maori views are not frozen out by mono-cultural agencies and majority decisions.

Baby dies while heart check omitted

Bacterial infection cause of death, post-mortem finds.

CDHB's financial crisis only the beginning

Community services are worried about the effect five years of district health board shortfalls could have on them.

Newborn study demands swift answers

Otago researchers have found differences in health outcomes for babies born under the care of midwives compared with those looked after by doctors.

Young Kiwis seek mental health help

The Mental Health Foundation believes there is an "urgent need" to investigate why a significant number of young people aren't coping.

Gastro outbreak may have peaked

Health officials believe the gastro bug that has made thousands of Havelock North residents badly ill has peaked.

Gastro investigation launched

A major investigation has been launched into why a thousand people have been affected by contaminated water in Havelock North. The

Something in the water? Gastro outbreak

Havelock North's water supply may be behind a vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak which is affecting a number of people in the area.

Flu cases reach surprising low

Flu consultations are way below average this winter but health experts warn the worst could be yet to come.

Disabled patients sue over treatment

Three intellectually disabled men are suing Govt for upwards of $100,000 each, alleging human rights abuses while in state care.

Petition for Ashley gathers support

A petition for an autistic man held in an isolated wing of a mental health unit has garnered more than 2000 signatures in a day.

Family of autistic man launch petition

The family of an autistic man held in an isolated wing of a mental health unit have launched a petition calling for the minister of health to intervene in his case.

90 minute delay for ambulance in Westport

A Westport family had to take their elderly relative to Buller Hospital on Tuesday night because a St John ambulance couldn't come for 90 minutes.