Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the release of the 2017 edition of the Immunisation Handbook, which informs health professionals of the safest and most effective use of vaccines.

“The Immunisation Handbook is an important resource for health professionals, setting out the latest best practice advice about vaccines and the diseases they protect against,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Handbook ensures they have the information readily available to safely and confidently deliver immunisation services to the people they care for.

“New Zealanders can be assured that our health professionals have access to the best up to date evidence to support the safe administration of vaccines.

“92 per cent of eight month olds have received their primary course of immunisations thanks to the increased immunisation target which remains one of our six national health targets.

“The Handbook was written and reviewed by a team of experts in child health, infectious disease and immunology. I would like to thank them for their time and skill in compiling this important resource.”

The release of this edition is timed to inform health professionals of vaccine changes that come into effect from 1 July. Free chickenpox (varicella) vaccination for children at age 15 months will be added to the Schedule, and some vaccine brands will change.

Chickenpox immunisation will reduce children’s chances of catching chickenpox and protect them from the most severe effects of the disease. 

One dose of the vaccine is free at age 15 months. From 1 July it will also be free for 11 year olds who have never been infected with chickenpox or immunised against it.

The Immunisation Handbook 2017 is available here.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an incentive scheme that attracts new doctors to roles in rural and remote locations that have been traditionally hard-to-staff is making a real difference.

“It’s important that health facilities around the country are well equipped to provide New Zealanders with the treatment that they need, when and where they need it,” says Dr Coleman.

“This year, 39 new graduate doctors and 19 GP trainees registered for the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme which will see them work in communities that find it hard to attract doctors.

“Over half of these new graduate doctors have indicated that they intend to work as a rural GP once they finish their three year training requirement, and around 40 percent have set their sights on rural hospital medicine as a career.

“This means more New Zealanders will get the treatment they need, closer to home, no matter where they live.

“There are a high number of medical graduate registrations for Taranaki and Tairawhiti District Health Board (DHB) areas which have low numbers of doctors per head of population.”

Those on the scheme receive three annual payments after a bonded period of three years, to help repay their student loan, or as top-up income.

A total of 364 health professionals have registered to take part in the 2017 intake. This includes 58 doctors, 242 nurses, 53 midwives, six sonographers and five dentists.

As at 30 April 2017, 4228 people had registered for the scheme since it began in 2009 and $34.8 million has been paid out to eligible participants.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman has acknowledged the finalists at the tenth anniversary of the Sport and Recreation Awards.

“These annual awards, hosted by Sport NZ, celebrate the contribution and dedication of individuals, clubs, regional and national organisations to enriching New Zealanders’ lives,” says Dr Coleman.

“The strength and diversity of entries this year is impressive, and it shows the high-quality work being done to maintain the strength of our sport and recreation sector and keep Kiwis active.

“I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the finalists for their contribution to sport and recreation in New Zealand.”

The award categories recognise excellence in commercial partnerships, community impact, event excellence and innovation and high performance campaigns in the sport and recreation sector.

A number of lifetime achievement awards will also be presented, together with the CK Doig Award for leadership.

The awards coincide with Sport NZ’s Connections Conference, the annual conference for leaders from the sector.

“This year’s Connections theme is Partnerships and Collaboration, a timely topic given New Zealand’s successful hosting of the World Masters Games, and the Lions Series kicking off in five days,” says Dr Coleman.

“Major events are a great way to showcase New Zealand to the rest of the world, many of the participants have extended their stay to sample our kiwi hospitality and iconic sights.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says an incentive scheme designed to increase the number of health professionals working in communities and roles that have traditionally been difficult to staff is making a real difference.

“It’s important that health facilities around the country are well equipped to provide New Zealanders with the treatment that they need, when and where they need it,” says Dr Coleman.

“A total of 364 health professionals have registered to take part in the 2017 Voluntary Bonding Scheme intake, which supports New Zealand graduates to establish careers in the communities and specialties that need them most.

“New data shows that the 2017 registrations in the scheme per 100,000 people are highest in the smaller DHB’s such as Northland, Lakes, Taranaki, Tairawhiti, West Coast and South Canterbury.

“We are working to ensure that our health professionals have the opportunity to support rural communities and are incentivised to take up specialty roles.

“To date, approximately $34.8 million has been paid out to eligible participants to help ensure that our health workforce has access to some of the country's best graduates in the roles and areas where they are needed.”

As at 1 February this year, 4,228 people, including the new 2017 intake, have registered for the scheme since its introduction in 2009.

Those on the scheme receive three annual payments after a bonded period of three years, to help repay their student loan, or as top-up income.

A total of 3,245 payments have been made to a total of 1,560 people, including 1,210 nurses, 175 midwives, 149 doctors, and 26 radiation therapists.

This programme is supported by the extra $3.9 billion invested into the health sector by Budget 17, taking the health budget to a record $16.8 billion.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says community-based midwives are set to receive their share of an $8 million pay increase.

“The Government believes in supporting families, and an important part of this is helping to ensure the 60,000 new babies born annually in New Zealand get the best start to life,” says Dr Coleman.

“Budget 2017 will increase community-based midwives’ pay by $8 million to further support maternity services and recognise the midwives' pay equity concerns.

“This funding boost equates to a six per cent fee increase for Lead Maternity Care (LMC) midwives and comes into effect on 1 July 2017.”

The pay increase follows mediation with the New Zealand College of Midwives following their pay equity claim. The claim has now been withdrawn.

The agreement also includes plans for the sector and the Ministry of Health working together to redesign the overall funding model.

This increase comes on top of successive pay increases for community-based midwives.

“In March, we announced a 2.5 per cent fee increase for care provided by community-based midwives throughout pregnancy and labour, as well as follow-up post-natal visits for up to six weeks.”

This $2.8 million pay rise was applied from 1 May 2017, and was back-dated to July 2016. It followed a 2 per cent increase implemented in 2016, which was also back-dated.

For community-based midwives, this fee is their only source of income to meet all costs associated with service provision, including travel costs.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Food Safety Minister David Bennett welcome the announcement of New Zealand’s action plan for tackling the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance.

“Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue that requires a global response. New Zealand has joined other countries in announcing its action plan at the World Health Assembly in Geneva,” says Dr Coleman.

“Like other countries, New Zealand has seen a rise in antibiotic resistant infections so it’s important that we have this action plan.

“The action plan builds on the successful work already underway in New Zealand and sets out activities to be undertaken over a five year period to minimise the impacts of antimicrobial resistance.”

The plan is the work of government agencies, and a diverse group of experts, including scientists, veterinarians, infectious disease experts, microbiologists, prescribers and infection prevention and control specialists. 

The plan has five main objectives include developing national programmes and standards for both human and animal health sectors.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry of Health will now develop an implementation plan with major partners to achieve these objectives, setting out the further details of the activities,” says Mr Bennett.

“Implementing these activities will involve a variety of partners from across the human health, animal health and agricultural sectors including both food and non-food.

“MPI and the Ministry of Health will regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation and progress reports will be provided at the end of the first, third and fifth year of the action plan time frame.”

The plan outlines a series of priority actions and activities to support the objectives. It will be published online soon pending formal process after the World Health Assembly.

Dr Coleman recently attended the World Health Assembly in Geneva, along with other Ministers and delegations from around the world.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a bill which will ensure 55,000 care and support workers receive their share in a $2 billion pay rise has passed its first reading.

The Care and Support Worker (Pay Equity) Settlement Bill passed its first reading unanimously in Parliament tonight.

“Shepherding this bill through its first reading in Parliament is another significant milestone towards implementing this historic pay equity settlement on 1 July,” says Dr Coleman.

“This will enshrine the new pay rates in law and ensures providers pass on the higher wages to the 55,000 workers in our aged and disability residential care, and home and community support services around the country.

“For these 55,000 workers this funding boost will see wages increase to between $19 to $27 per hour over five years. Existing workers will be transitioned to positions on the new pay scale which reflect their skills, and their experience. For new workers employed after July 1 wages will be based on an individual’s level of qualifications.

“For the 20,000 workers currently on the minimum wage of $15.75 per hour, it means on July 1 they will move to at least $19 per hour, a 21 per cent pay rise. For a full-time worker, this means they will be taking home around an extra $100 a week, which is over $5,000 a year.

“The bill has been sent to the Health Select Committee for public submissions and is due to be reported back to Parliament on 2 June 2017.

“It has been fast-tracked through the House to ensure it is passed by 1 July. However, given its significance, it’s important the public has the opportunity to have their say.”

The settlement follows the TerraNova pay equity claim brought by E tū (previously the Service and Food Workers Union) on behalf of care worker Kristine Bartlett.

The $2.048 billion settlement over five years will be funded through an increase of $1.856 billion to Vote Health and $192 million to ACC.

Budget 2017 will invest an extra $205.4 million over four years to maintain and improve disability support services, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner say.

“The Government is committed to providing disabled people with more support so they can have greater independence and live better lives in their communities,” Dr Coleman says.

“The sector will receive an extra $52.3 million in 2017/18, taking its total funding to $1.2 billion for the year.

“The four-year funding includes $178.2 million for community-based home support, personal care, caregiver support and residential care, as well as equipment services.

“Around 32,000 New Zealanders and their families benefit from these services each year.”

Ms Wagner says that $27.1 million over the next three years will be invested in expanding the successful Enabling Good Lives (EGL) programme, which has benefitted hundreds of disabled people and their families in Waikato and Christchurch.

“This funding will enable us to build on the Waikato and Christchurch demonstrations to create a new system that gives disabled people and their families greater control over their lives,” Ms Wagner says.

EGL is an innovative principles-based approach that empowers disabled people with self-directed planning. The transformation will initially focus on those receiving support from Disability Support Services in the Mid-Central region.