Labour’s mental health policy
Labour’s mental health policy has had a good reception, especially in contrast to National’s systematic under-funding and arrogant response to the issue.
Social issues
health
Mental health problems are a figment of our imagination and the work of anti government protesters
according to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman
Green power
Lots to like in The Greens’ new power policy.
Mental health needs vs. cuts
The People’s Mental Health Review report puts the deterioration of our mental health system firmly in the spotlight. Despite a 60 per cent increase in demand since 2007/08 National has been slashing funding. Lives are at risk.
Thank you health care workers
This is a huge victory for health care workers, and for women. It is also a huge victory for “resurgent unions”. Will it alarm the private sector? I certainly hope so!
(Kristine Bartlett, photo Herald Mark Mitchell)
Nurses ask us to vote for our health
You could vote for three more years of “brighter future”. Or you could listen to the nurses.
Typhoid in Auckland
The typhoid outbreak in Auckland is very bad news. Now would also be a good time to reflect on NZ’s generally poor record on child poverty and disease.
#Trumpcare
The proposed Republican replacement of Obamacare will, surprise surprise, result in lower benefits, reduced coverage and a tax cut for the wealthy.
Free market efficiency in health – not
The idea of free market efficiency is not nearly as powerful or universal as its (often fanatical) proponents would have us believe. The sorry state of the USA’s health system is yet another compelling example of its limitations.
Roads not health
A new coalition protests health under-funding, while the cost of the holiday highway blows out. Our government has its priorities all screwed up.
Poverty and health
Socioeconomic status is a major health risk factor. Not exactly a surprise is it.
Petition for medicinal cannabis
Good to see that Nikki Kaye is doing so well after her cancer scare. Also good to see her changing her mind on an important issue. Please sign the petition to allow doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis.
Trump’s global gag law on abortion
“Donald Trump signs anti-abortion executive order surrounded by men”
Another postcard from the Brighter Future
In the midst of the cataclysmic big stories, we should not lose sight of the small personal ones.
Rheumatic fever – treat the cause
Millions of dollars are being poured into reducing rheumatic fever in NZ. However rates of the disease in Auckland are at least double the target level – and rising.
DHBs telling porkies about junior doctors’ strike
Junior doctors are speaking out against the misinformation being spread by DHBs.
Tax-cuts or… Health
Health – particularly mental health – is underfunded, resulting in strikes over patient safety and units shutdown due to staff shortages. And unnecessary deaths. So why is the government even thinking about tax-cuts when our services need investment?
Solidarity with junior doctors
Junior doctors taking strike action are being bullied and threatened that they’ll harm their careers.
Eileen Brown for CCDHB
Capital Coast DHB candidate Eileen Brown chairs the Newtown Union Health Service Board, a primary care service for people on low incomes. For the last 10 years, Eileen has worked for the Council of Trade Unions as a senior policy analyst; previously she worked in nursing in many areas including mental health and neuro rehabilitation. Eileen is standing as a Labour candidate. She’d be great on the DHB.
Key vs science on water quality
The Friday dump on Havelock North
What a surprise that the news that NZ’s worst ever waterborne disease outbreak is most likely caused by livestock should be the subject of a classic Friday 5pm news dump.
Clean up our water!
Shit in the water
The damage so far in the Havelock North “gastro” outbreak is one possible death, two older people in intensive care, 18 hospitalised, 50 making their way to the emergency department, 280 notifications, and hundreds of kids staying away from school.
The housing crisis and the diseases of poverty
Rheumatic fever is on the rise again. It is likely that other diseases of poverty are also or will also increase as the housing crisis drags on under National.
The phantom phantom hospital waiting lists
According to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman he is right, everyone else is wrong and there is no elective surgery hidden list in New Zealand.
Helen Kelly – still speaking out
“Pain debilitates you and makes you depressed and you can sort of let the depression seep over you, but if you can, get out and live your life.”
Maori health and children not a priority
Essential reading, two pieces highlighting institutional racism today. Someone needs to ask the Maori Party how proud they are to be propping up this government.
Pay up Compass
Not only has Compass being serving below quality food to hospital patients but it appears that they may not have paid some long term employees what they are entitled to.
Nats overrule Parliament to veto parental leave extension
So – like Canterbury, like Auckland, the democratic process can get stuffed as far as National are concerned.
Glorifying ignorance (and why the death of the MSM won’t be all bad)
Hey Mike Hosking – how many dead and deformed babies is the precious Olympic schedule worth to you anyway?
Progress on plain packaging
Yesterday’s announcement of likely new regulations on the “plain packaging” of tobacco products is a good move.
The Mother Budget
There are budgets and there are budgets. And for all the presence or absence of bright ideas, there’s a budget that threatens to subsume all others…
We’re going to burn it all, until we burn it down.
What does it really mean to reduce NZ’s total fossil fuel use by 50% by 2030: a warm up discussion for an upcoming thought experiment.
Labour would legalise medical cannabis
On Stuff: “Little said cannabis products should be available to anyone suffering chronic pain or a terminal condition if their GP signed off on it.”
Pharmac underfunded and education cuts
It’s a steady attrition, the death of a thousand cuts.
Little’s Healthy Homes Bill passes first reading
Last night Andrew Little’s Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill passed it’s first reading. Bravo to Andrew Little, Labour, The Greens, NZF, The Maori Party, and Peter Dunne, who voted in support.
Key launches war on P
“My message to the gangs is clear. This Government is coming after your business and we will use every tool we have to destroy it. We will be ruthless in our pursuit of you and the evil drug you push.”