The Guild is actively seeking DHBs to partner in reaching people suffering from gout after the successful outcome of its gout project in Counties Manukau.

Unless it's an emergency the GP should always be the first choice is the message from Hawke's Bay Hospitals' chief medical officer John Gommans as the number of presentations to ED increases with winter setting in.

The synthetic cannabis industry's "poacher turned game-keeper" offer today to suddenly self-regulate is welcome, but the Government will go ahead with law changes in the next few weeks to restrict the sale and marketing of their products, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said today

Eight of the largest participants in the synthetic cannabinoid industry met today to discuss how to clean up the synthetic cannabinoid industry. The following industry particpants attended the meeting:

Cosmic (retailers of Juicy Puff);

Enjoi;

Erox;

Herbal Exports;

The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) strongly supports the Ministry of Health's ban of a second synthetic cannabis product and is calling for significantly tougher legislation on these products.

The first people on a new Government programme to help overseas-trained doctors prepare for New Zealand registration are about to take their medical exams.

Labour is urging members of the legal high industry to self-regulate and establish their own code of practice for testing the safety of products before they are sold.

The shock of a new diagnosis; the challenge of treatment; and the relief of survival make for powerful viewing in a new series of web videos exploring Kiwi experiences of breast cancer.

Rural medicine is general practice at its most challenging and satisfying, says Westport-based rural GP registrar Dr Amir Khan.

"A revitalised must include access for all citizens", says Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) Chief Executive: Ross Brereton, who today launched Accessible Christchurch, a campaign to promote the inclusion of the needs of disabled people in all plans for the rebuilt city.