David Clark
Major medicines & medical devices shake-up
A rewrite of the Medicines Act, is likely to result in a new regulatory body for medical devices, as well as medicines. At the same time, the government is extending the role of its drug buying agency… Audio
Health Minister responds to report on decaying hospitals
Deficits, decaying hospital buildings and inadequate disaster preparedness are some of the problems identified in the latest Controller and Auditor General's report into District Health Boards.
… Audio
New Zealand's most fertile land dug up for housing
Over the last decade more than 200 produce growers in Auckland have closed up shop as more rural land has been rezoned to residential to keep up with the demand for housing.
Now, after 60 years of… Video, Audio
Southern DHB maternity services to be independently reviewed
Health Minister David Clark says he is frustrated and disappointed about the way the Southern DHB has implemented changes to its maternity services, following concerns about lack of access to… Video, Audio
Govt aims to get suicide rate to zero - Health Minister
The government has announced today it will be establishing a national suicide prevention strategy - but not a suicide reduction target. Health Minister David Clark says it was a decision govt… Video, Audio
Where Does Your Food Come From? Celery
Celery juice is the latest health trend taking over social media - users are claiming its benefits include healing eczema, psoriasis, acne and more. Is it a miracle drink or is it hype? And have you… Video, Audio
Measles in Northland: Don't punish children for parents' choices - Clark
Schools in Northland are being urged to exclude children who have not been vaccinated for measles. The chief executive of the Northland District Health Board has made the plea because of the arrival… Video, Audio
Waikato DHB replaced with commissioner
Health Minister David Clark has replaced the Waikato District Health Board with a commissioner. That has one member worried health services will have to be cut if a ballooning deficit is to be… Audio
Change the DHB system – Waikato DHB member
Waikato DHB member Mary-Anne Gill joins Checkpoint live to discuss Health Minister David Clark's criticism of the DHB, which he says isn't performing. Audio
David Clark on Pharmac, drugs and a life’s worth
Checkpoint presenter Lisa Owen interviews Health Minister David Clark on Pharmac's funding model, why life-prolonging drugs aren't being funded, and whether it's high time for an independent review… Video, Audio
Health Minister fast-tracking cancer plan amid criticism
Health Minister David Clark is fast tracking a national action plan for cancer. It comes as a conference on cancer highlights major flaws in the public health system. The conference, held by Otago… Audio
Emotional plea for cancer care plan: 'You have failed me and my children'
The wife of a terminally ill cancer patient, who had to wait 13 hours in hospital to be flown for care, told the Health Minister today that the government has failed them.
Is media mental health coverage helping?
New Zealand’s biggest-ever inquiry into our mental health system says it’s broken and action is urgent. Many in the media pointed out that’s what previous inquiries have said too so we shouldn’t… Video, Audio
Eat your greens!
Weeks of warm, wet weather in the Pukekohe district has lead to a glut of vegetables. Growers are getting as little as 30 cents per head of broccoli. Audio
Parts of Dunedin Hospital rebuild fast-tracked
Parts of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild have been prioritised because the facility "will not last the distance in its current state", Health Minister David Clark says.
Police aren't answer to mental health crisis - Cahill
Police recruits won't be given additional mental health training under the Police Minister's watch because he doesn't want them to become a substitute for the experts. Mental health call-outs have… Audio
Health Minister David Clark on Mental Health & Addiction inquiry
Health Minister David Clark talks to Lisa Owen about a report released today by Mental Health & Addiction inquiry. He's described the inquiry's recommendations as a once in a generation opportunity to… Video, Audio
Medicinal cannabis law not far enough - chronic pain sufferer
More people will be able to use cannabis to alleviate pain without fear of prosecution, but a long-time sufferer of chronic pain says the Government is still not going far enogh. The Health Minister… Audio
Loose leaf, palliation and pills - medicinal cannabis is back
The Medicinal Cannabis law has returned to the House from Select Committee with changes and with even more promised to come. Audio
Lance O’Sullivan: NZ health system is ‘f*****’
Former New Zealander of the Year, Dr Lance O'Sullivan, says he will quit medicine in two years if the "f*****" health system doesn't change. He tells Lisa Owen incompetent doctors are harming people.
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