Wellington, Aug 20 - A Christchurch midwife has had her registration cancelled and been ordered to pay $85,000 costs after a professional misconduct hearing.

Wellington, Aug 20 NZPA - An American study has shown children whose mothers were exposed to organophosphate pesticides while pregnant are more likely to have attention problems as they grow up.

Wellington, Aug 19 NZPA - The number of people contracting swine flu continues to rise, and three new deaths have been linked to the strain of influenza, the Ministry of Health of says.

Wellington - High needs pregnant women can now get a free referral to their GP in certain regions under new "demonstration projects".

Lead maternity carers will be able to give the referrals, which midwives can attend as well.

Wellington, Aug 19 NZPA- Some regional hospitals may need to align with larger centres in order to provide high quality acute surgical care, according to leading New Zealand surgeons.

New Zealand surgeons are calling for timely, sustainable high quality acute surgical care.

Wellington, Aug 19 NZPA- The Pharmac board has appointed five new members to its consumer advisory committee after a review of the committee's terms of reference.

This brings committee membership to nine members.

Wellington, Aug 19 NZPA - More than 80 leading surgeons will gather in Queenstown today and tomorrow for a special scientific meeting to look at the delivery of acute surgical services in New Zealand.

The PHARMAC Board has appointed five new members to the Government drug funder's Consumer Advisory Committee.

The refreshed membership follows a review of the Committee's Terms of Reference, and brings the committee to nine members.

Calling for nominations - Know someone who deserves a medal for showing us how to age with strength and vitality?