Karen Brown
Govt promises significant investment in mental health sector
In response to its mental health inquiry the Government today announced it would soon establish an new independent commission and widen access to mental health services. But it's refusing to set a… Video, Audio
Medical specialists offer bowel screening for people under 60
People under sixty who are worried they may have bowel cancer are being offered a new screening service by a group of medical specialists. Screening is publicly funded, but only for those 60 to 74… Audio
Mental health in line for major reform
The 'poor cousin' of health - mental health - is in line for major reform and the funds to back it in the Budget on Thursday.
A Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry, published late last year… Audio
'To live was so painful' - new mum saved by mental health care
A Wellington mother has described her battle with devastating post-natal distress after the birth of her first child.
Sally, not her real name, gave birth last year to a healthy baby boy. She… Audio
Improvements in mental health service expected in Budget
People living with mental health problems, in the community, say they value the support but also want more acceptance from others. Long-awaited improvements in mental health services are expected to… Audio
Health boards going 'nuclear' in employment dispute
Junior doctors are accusing district health boards of going nuclear in their ongoing employment battle. Members of the Resident Doctors Association and DHBs met for a fourth time with the Employment… Audio
Doctors urge vaccine as Australia flu cases soar
Family doctors are urging those who have not yet had the annual flu jab to get it as soon as possible . It comes as Australia grapples with thousands more flu cases than last year. RNZ health… Audio
Junior doctors, health boards in urgent talks
Today the Employment Relations Authority, will begin urgent talks between junior doctors and district health boards in a bid to resolve their long running employment dispute. Members of the Resident… Audio
Christchurch attacks: Health Ministry undecided on more funding
The Health Ministry still cannot say what extra mental health funding will be provided to Christchurch following the mosque shootings. It's almost two months since the attacks in which 51 people died… Audio
Junior doctors, DHBs dispute working while on strike
Junior doctors and their employers are at loggerheads over how many doctors have been turning up to work during the current strike. At 8 o'clock this morning the doctors will begin the fifth and final… Audio
Junior doctors deny working during strike
Junior doctors are rubbishing figures that show that more than half of them are not taking part in the latest strike. Members of the Resident Doctors Association are in the third day today of a… Audio
Big lack of trust between junior doctors, DHBs - senior doctor
A senior doctor says there's a major lack of trust between junior doctors and their employers and it will have to be fixed. Today is the second day of a five-day strike by members of the Resident… Audio
Striking doctors demand David Clark intervene
Striking junior doctors are demanding that the Health Minister step in and sort out their deep employment row. Resident doctors began a five-day strike today, which district health boards say will… Video, Audio
Outside Wellington Hospital as doctors' strike begins
RNZ health correspondent Karen Brown is outside Wellington Regional Hospital as the junior doctors' strike begins. Audio
Junior doctors' five-day strike almost inevitable
An unprecedented five-day strike by junior doctors starting on Monday is now almost inevitable. The doctors will strike from 8am Monday until early next Saturday in the long row over their employment… Audio
Middlemore moves to end violence in emergency department
South Auckland's busy Middlemore Hospital says it's doing everything it can to stop rising physical and verbal violence in its emergency department. A new pilot incident reporting system, known as… Audio
Health Minister warns Waikato DHB over growing deficit
The Health Minister is poised to sack the entire Waikato District Health Board and replace it with a commissioner. David Clark has told the embattled DHB he's seriously dissatisfied with its… Audio
Junior doctors mull new strike as dispute with DHBs continues
A prominent senior doctor says he's worried about patient safety as junior doctors vote for yet another strike. The doctors' union and district health boards are at an impasse in their row over the… Audio
Pharmac leaving cancer patients to die – drug agents
Drug giants have told Parliament's health select committee that drug-buyer Pharmac is leaving terminally ill cancer patients to die rather than forking out for the latest drugs. Audio
Doctors have flu vaccine ready to go
Family doctors have this year's flu vaccine in stock and are now offering the free jab to priority groups. They are also reassuring the public that they can deliver separate vaccines against measles… Audio