National Health Committee - Media Releases

Media Releases
Use the links below to browse National Health Committee media releases.

2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999

2008

10 July
Consultation on application by Living Cell Technologies
The National Health Committee is inviting written public submissions on the proposed trial and whether it meets the criteria set out under Section 96E(1) of the Medicines Act 1981. The closing date for public submissions is Friday 25 July 2008.

7 July
National Health Committee to advise on Living Cell Technologies application
The National Health Committee has been asked by the Minister of Health to provide him with additional independent advice on an application that has been made by Living Cell Technologies Pty Limited to conduct clinical trials of pig cell transplantation in New Zealand.

2007

14 October
New members of National Health committee (www.beehive.govt.nz)
Four new members have been appointed to the National Health Committee by Minister of Health, Health Minister Pete Hodgson said today.

20 February
Report Focuses on Health Services for People with Chronic Conditions
A report launched today by the National Health Committee looks at ways better health services and support can be offered to people with chronic conditions. Common chronic conditions include arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and other mental illnesses.

2005

30 May
Spotlight on new health interventions
A National Health Committee report released today analyses the way new health interventions are introduced in New Zealand

2004

1 April
National Health Committee says “No, not yet” to prostate cancer screening
The National Health Committee (NHC) is recommending against the introduction of prostate cancer screening in New Zealand.

2003

September
National Health Committee consulting on prostate cancer screening
Prostate cancer screening is an important and complex health area, and there is considerable interest in prostate cancer screening. The proven impact of prostate cancer screening on men dying from prostate cancer continues to be contentious.

2002

May
How to improve the quality of New Zealand's health care services
"In order for health care services to achieve the best health outcomes, quality improvement should be the prime focus of health care delivery in this country." This advice is contained in a National Health Committee (NHC) report Safe Systems Supporting Safe Care released by Health Minister Annette King today.

April
National Health Committee praised for its independence and influence
The National Health Committee (NHC) marked 10 years of independent commentary and advice on New Zealand's publicly funded health system at a Beehive function hosted by the Minister of Health, Annette King, on Tuesday evening.

2001

May
National Health Committee promoting debate on Primary Health Care in New Zealand
The National Health Committee (NHC) is seeking to debate the provision of primary health care in New Zealand by discussing it in a number of forums around the country over coming months.

1999

December
Action on immunisation of New Zealand's ‘hard-to-reach' children
The National Health Committee (NHC) is delighted the principal recommendation in its package of advice on immunisation of New Zealand's ‘hard to reach' children has been accepted and is now a performance expectation of the Health Funding Authority (HFA).

September
NHC review finds maternity services safe but urges more co-operation
Large numbers of women in New Zealand are satisfied with maternity care services. Separate surveys conducted by the National Health Committee, the National Council of Women and the Health Funding Authority between February and July 1999 show: 88 to 94 percent of women were satisfied or highly satisfied with the care they received while pregnant; 86 to 88 percent were satisfied with their labour and birth care; 75 to 93 percent were satisfied with their postnatal care.

Improvements called for in maternity services for ‘hard-to-reach' and women with special needs
“Care more tailored to the needs of key groups of New Zealand women is one of areas where improvements can be made to maternity services,” says Maggie Barry who chaired the National Health Committee's review of maternity services in New Zealand.

July
One in six “heavy drinkers”
One in six New Zealanders drink alcohol in harmful amounts according to a guideline on alcohol and cannabis abuse released by the National Health Committee. Around 40 percent of males aged 15 to 24,and 25 percent of females in the same age group are heavy drinkers - defined as consuming more than 21 standard drinks per week for men and more than 14 for women.

New guidelines bring good news for smokers
Associate Minister of Health Georgina te Heuheu will launch tomorrow a set of best practice guidelines for health professionals to use in the fight to help smokers quit. Smoking takes a high toll on New Zealanders' lives. Every year it causes the premature death of an estimated 4,700 people – people who die, on average, 14 years earlier than their non smoking counterparts.

January
National Health Committee to review maternity care
The National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Services is pleased to accept the Minister of Health's invitation to review maternity care for New Zealand women and babies says Mason Durie, chair of the Committee.