Health & Fitness

* New digital health service allows virtual consultations with NZ-registered doctors and nurses. * Over 4,500 people have already used the service since its pilot in May. * Aims to reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve access to care. New Zealanders across the country can now access trusted primary healthcare around

Exercise should be the primary treatment for depression and other common mental health conditions, according to University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers.  The most comprehensive review of research from UniSA shows that mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological dist

Getting a GP appointment in Invercargill, and across parts of Southland, has been a major concern for local people — but that's about to change. The National-led Government is boosting General Practice funding by $175 million this year. This is the largest funding boost for GPs in our country’

* Government announces $175 million GP funding boost tied to performance and data collection * Incentives include improving childhood immunisation and contributing data for health planning * Full 13.89% increase only applies if clinics meet specific performance targets General practitioners across New Zealand are set to receive their largest-ever funding boost, with

A new, state-of-the-art CT scanner is now operational at Southland Hospital, delivering a significant step forward for diagnostic services in the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This new CT scanner is a game-changer for Invercargill and surrounding areas. It will provide faster, more accurate diagnosis for a wide range

* Enliven Southland to trial AI-driven pain detection app for 12 months from July * App allows staff to assess non-verbal signs of pain in dementia patients more accurately * Funding support enables improved care and smarter tech use in aged care settings The introduction of a new smartphone app is set to

* invercargill and Southland to receive new urgent and after-hours healthcare services expansion * Rural areas including Stewart Island and Tuatapere will get 24/7 clinical support and urgent medicines * Invercargill to get new daytime urgent care service available seven days each week Access to urgent and after-hours healthcare is set to

* Emergency department at Southland Hospital is undersized and cannot meet patient demand safely * Over 1,000 patients have waited more than four months for surgical treatment since December * $8 million upgrade budget for ED and theatres is considered too low without compromise Southland Hospital’s emergency department is too small