Karen Brown
Japanese hospital accused of "cruel" and "medieval" treatment
A New Zealand couple whose mentally ill son died in a Japanese hospital have described his treatment there as cruel and medieval. Kelly Savage, 27, died after spending 10 days tied to a bed in a… Audio
Property developer to pay for $50m Wgtn children's hospital
Property developer Mark Dunajtschik will build a new children's hospital in Wellington, and pay for it. Bill English made the announcement today, but some are questioning why a philanthropist had to… Video, Audio
Psychiatrists still waiting for response to crisis letter
Senior psychiatrists warning about a crisis in hospital secure units say they've still had no proper response from authorities after writing to the Health Ministry two months ago. Audio
Secure units for intellectually disabled in crisis
Secure units, which house intellectually disabled people who have committed crimes are in crisis, with senior psychiatrists saying both patients and staff are at risk of violence. Audio
Plan to boost deceased organ donations
The Health Minister has unveiled a long-awaited national strategy to lift New Zealand's low organ donation rate, including making it easier for people to donate organs after their death. Audio
Health Ministry urged to give DHBs money early for bowel cancer
New Zealand has one of the highest bowel cancer rates in the developed world - 3000 cases are diagnosed each year and 1200 people die. Audio
Chickenpox vaccine soon free for children
A free, one-dose vaccine against chickenpox will be given at 15-months-old and for children turning 11 who had never been infected or immunised. Audio
Could even more be done to save NZers battling with cancer?
In the latest instalment of RNZ's pre-election series 'Is this the Brighter Future,' we look at what new prescription drugs are doing to save New Zealanders with cancer and ask the question 'could… Audio
After 9 years of National, GP visits out of reach of many
The cost of seeing a GP is high and may go higher -- and it's putting half a million people off seeing the doctor. GPs have demanded government action to address deep funding problems and are fuming… Audio
Angry GPs being urged to use election to lobby over funding
Angry family doctors are being told to use the election campaign to vent their frustrations over a funding system they say locks out too many poor people. The College of GPs wants doctors to bombard… Audio
Mental health care under strain as more people use services
Mental health services are seriously stretched, district health boards complain of a lack of funding, and there are shortages of key staff. The most recent statistics show more than 168,000 clients… Audio
Damning report on Health Ministry remains under wraps
The State Services Commission is refusing to release a potentially damaging report about the Health Ministry. Discuss this latest issue is our Health Correspondent, Karen Brown. Audio
Health Minister and DHBs strained after budget blunder
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman was forced to defend his embattled ministry in Parliament today following a major budget blunder which resulted in some DHBs being told to return some money. Audio
Close to 10,000 sign young woman's mental health petition
Lucy McSweeney, 21, took a petition to the steps of Parliament today calling for better mental health education in schools. Video, Audio
Health Minister under fire over mental health services
Jonathan Coleman faced a barrage of questions and interruptions during a heated session at the health select committee today. Audio
Mental health needs 'urgent attention'
The Auditor General's report into the care mental health patients receive showed not a single District Health Board met follow up targets, and there was a poor availability of suitable accommodation.
…Special coverage of the Budget 2017
Susie Ferguson presents coverage of the 2017 Budget, with expert analysis and commentary from RNZ correspondents. Audio
Suicide prevention group begs for mental health overhaul
The Life Matters group told Parliament's Health Select Ccommittee that services are failing those in need, and has called for an urgent independent review. Audio
Woman lost baby due to hospital mistake - Health and Disability Commissioner
Staff at Palmerston North Hospital missed a red flag that led to a woman needing an emergency caesarian and losing her baby, the Health and Disability Commissioner says. Audio
14 people suffer eyesight loss after long waits for treatment
Fourteen people have suffered moderate or major loss of vision while waiting for treatment. The Southern District Health Board says mistakes like this won't happen again. Audio
