The Standard » health

A sustainable future

Ben Clark — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:10:05 +0000

The UN High Level Panel on Global Sustainability has delivered a report about creating a future that's sustainable economically, socially and environmentally. Our government and political parties should be looking at it and measuring themselves against it.

3rd World New Zealand

Zetetic — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:22:51 +0000

25K Kiwi kids get infections like rheumatic fever and scabies each year. Disease sthey haven't seen in Sweden since the 70s.We treat our kids like an expense, not an investment. Then we wonder why we have unhealthy, uneducated, unskilled adults and our country gets left behind. We're becoming a 3rd world country. It's 3rd world thinking that's getting us there.

Key lied on health cuts

James Henderson — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:32:07 +0000

In the TVNZ debate on Monday, John Key claimed that he had cut 'back office' jobs and increased health services.That wasn't true. The fact is, funding cuts have reduced the capacity of many health services. 'Front-line' staff are doing 'back office' work as well and everything else is getting squeezed to put more money into 'sexy' elective surgery numbers.

A new low

Guest post — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:46:31 +0000

Last election, National promised to subsidise a treatment for the rare and deadly Pompe disease. Now, they won't even meet with the sufferers. The truth is that New Zealand can't afford ongoing treatments that cost $1m per patient per year. National promises us whatever we want to hear to get our votes. Knowing from the start they'll never deliver.

Suicide and community

Anthony R0bins — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 01:13:14 +0000

Following the release of data by the Chief Coroner, suicide is once again getting some time in the headlines. Coincidentally, news from Christchurch supports the suggestion that stronger communities reduce suicide rates.

Flavell fails on suicide

Eddie — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:23:09 +0000

Last week, Jim Anderton said that the tidal wave of youth unemployment we're experiencing will lead to more suicides. He's right. The best response from the Right: slash young people's wages and that might create a few more jobs. But Te Ururoa Flavell's suggestion to ostracise and condemn the dead is just as bad.

Lifting productivity

Guest post — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:45:41 +0000

So, the statement of intent from the Ministry of Health has just been released. This document outlines how our health service will operate during the next three years; so what does it actually say? Is health truly safe under National?

Drug-peddlers

Mike Smith — Sun, 15 May 2011 03:30:28 +0000

Lobbyist Mark Unsworth of Saunders Unsworth is campaigning against Pharmac, ahead of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations with the US. They want more money spent on patented drugs.

Lloyd Morrison and Gareth Morgan have come to the defence of Pharmac.

Canterbury tales

r0b — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:15:00 +0000

In much of earthquake ravaged Christchurch life is still far from normal. The PM's Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman has stressed the psychological challenges facing the people of the city. If you live in earthquake damaged Canterbury or Christchurch, please share your stories here...

NZMA position on health inequity

Ben Clark — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:54:03 +0000

NZ's doctor's organisation is prescribing a healthier society: putting kids first, reduced income inequality (higher minimum income), investment in skills and education, and equity, not equality in our social services - helping most those with the greatest need. Take note Don, John.

Nats attacks legal aid but pays a million to defend itself

Guest post — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:37:22 +0000

Legal aid and your rights if accused of a crime are under attack by the National Government yet at the same time, as Michael Bott, explains it has spent a fortune in court trying to defend its practice of discriminating against carers who are related to the disabled people they care for. More disgusting choices from National.

Economists line up on “Robin Hood” tax

Mike Smith — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:16:06 +0000

1000 economists have written to the G20, about to meet in Washington, and to Bill Gates, asking for a tax on financial transactions known as a Tobin tax after its originator, or a Robin Hood tax as it is known in the US. 4 New Zealanders are among the 1000; Prue Hyman, Stefan Kesting, Peter Conway, and Petrus Simons. Good on them.

Fukushima radiation skyrockets

Marty G — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 10:16:30 +0000

Normally, we get 3.65 millisieverts of radiation a year. Increased cancer risk is associated with 100 millisieverts per year. Nuclear workers are only meant to get 100 millisieverts even in an emergency with protective clothing. Today, water in No 2 reactor was detected emitting 1 sievert per hour - and they're not sure of the source.

Cuts! Cuts! Cuts!

Bunji — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:42:36 +0000

There was already going to be too little money in Budget 2011 for maintenance of public services. Now what little there was is being further slashed in the name of Christchurch. An Earthquake Levy is not an option, rather we'll all pay through increased borrowing and 25% cuts in services like police, transport, justice and social services.

Get well soon, Trev

Eddie — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 21:47:47 +0000

As you know, Trevor Mallard is a keen cyclist. He touched wheels with another competitor in the R&R sports tour on Saturday. 3 cyclists went down at 40km/hr. Trev broke his femur and shoulder blade. It looks like he's dealing with it OK. Maybe he should stick to leisurely rides on the John Key Memorial Cycleway in future.