More access for heart patients to the blood-thinning drug clopidogrel is to be available from next month, following a major price reduction negotiated by the Government's drug-buying agency Pharmac.

The heart drug clopidogrel is to have open access from next month, following a major price reduction negotiated by PHARMAC.

Over 2,200 nurses are now spending more time caring for patients through a Health productivity initiative that uses Toyota-style "lean thinking".

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - the ability of micro-organisms to find ways to evade the action of the drugs used to cure the infections they cause - is increasingly recognised as a global public health issue which could hamper the control of many infectious diseases.

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.