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The article examines the influence of politics on the increase in the number of elective surgical services in New Zealand. The government spending in elective surgery rose from 35 million U.S. dollars in 2008 to 271.5 million U.S. dollars in 2012. Ian Powell of Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said the key criticisms in the health sector are elective surgery and emergency department waiting times and access to cancer services. The pros and cons of elective surgery are cited.

The article discusses the downsizing of the ethical review process as well as the operation of health and disability ethics committees (HDEC) in New Zealand. The change resulted from the select committee examination in 2010 on ways to enhance the country's clinical trial sector. Among the changes in the HDEC's standardized operating procedures include the reduction in the number of members of each committee and the use of electronic application form.

The article explores the risk of shortage of nursing workforce in New Zealand as nurses respond to demands in their personal lives and deal with the impact of hard economic conditions. Historical record and studies on the progression of nursing graduates show the problem of workforce supply from 2001-2010. The primary care sector, including Midlands Health Network, is making efforts to combat shortage. Factors such as work environment and management support are said to contribute to retention.

The article discusses the increase in patients who had injuries declined for Accident Compensation Corp. (ACC) cover due to degeneration in New Zealand in the last 12 months as of July 2011. It says that general practitioners (GP) have seen more requests for elective surgery funding for their patients being denied. According to Wairoa GP Ron Janes, the rise in declined claims was because of the concern about ACC trying to save money. The efforts to develop guidelines on whether surgeries are likely to be funded by the ACC are also discussed.

The article reports on the claim by Hawera, New Zealand-based SouthCare Medical Centre acting general manager Ella Borrows that the centre was forced to examine its contracts and staffing levels following the exposure of its financial problems.

The article reports on the participation of several general practitioners (GP) in the 230-kilometer (km) Auckland to Rotorua bicycle leg in New Zealand to raise funds for charities starting November 2012, including Hinemoa House GP Byrdie Johnston.

The article reports on the claim by Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) executive director Brenda Wraight that their priority is to find jobs for the medical graduates that they trained and not look for jobless Australian medical graduates.

The article discusses efforts of a Tairawhiti iwi provider to drum up support for the free general practice it offers in Te Karaka, Gisborne, New Zealand.

The article reports that the Waves Youth Health, Development and Support Service's board in New Zealand is expected to meet on November 27, 2012 to sign off its strategic plan to determine its future after which stakeholders will consider their interest in partnering with Waves.

The article reports that a doctor who appeared before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2012 was found guilty of professional misconduct for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former patient.

The article reports on the initiative of the Coastal Taranaki Health Trust to raise fund for the 2.1 million U.S. dollar health center in Taranaki, Opunake, New Zealand.

The article reports on the statement by College of Nurses Aotearoa executive director Jenny Carryer that giving nurse practitioners direct access to the general medical services subsidy for casual patients is essential to their practice being financially sustainable.

The article offers brief information on Healthbots from Gore Health Ltd.

The article focuses on the statement of Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill during the Medicolegal Conference 2012 of Health and Disability Commission (HDC), regarding the culture of the organization that affect the transparency and the attitude in reporting harm on patients.

The article reports on the New Zealand Doctor or IMS Health fax poll which reveals that half of general practitioners (GPs) support compulsory compliance with the minimum legal standards in Aiming for Excellence.

The article reports on the statement made by science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman during the Auckland University-run Suicide Prevention 2012 conference on September 28, 2012 concerning suicide and family.

The authors highlight the Conference for General Practice held in September 2012, which includes a key message from Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care President and Chief Executive Officer Beverley Johnson.

The article reports on the downsizing of nursing staff at Waves Youth Health, Development and Support Service in New Plymouth, New Zealand due to funding problems.

The article reports on the decrease in referrals for Maori patients at Iwi organisation Te Tai-whenua o Heretaunga, which is contracted by Hawke's Bay district health board (DHB) to offer the general practitioner with Special Interest (GPSI) diabetes service.

The article reports on the negotiation between White Cross and Auckland District Health Board (DHB) in New Zealand to provide secondary care services at White Cross' new medical center, the Lunn Ave Medical Centre.

The article discusses the highlights of the 2012 Conference for General Practice held in Auckland, New Zealand in September, wherein participants discussed the role of patients as guide for better care.

The article reports that iwi health provider Turanga Health has partnered with Three Rivers Medical centre in Gisborne, New Zealand to offer patients non-clinical services.

The article discusses the works of Capital & Coast District Health Board (DHB) renal physician Alastair Macdonald in investigating the concept of a national clinical ethics network for New Zealand, and conducting a survey on how senior doctors resolve ethical issues.

The article reports that nursing courses at Rotorua's Waiariki Institute of Technology and Palmerston North's Universal College of Learning (UCOL) in New Zealand were discountinued after students were being declined for Nursing Council registration.

The article reports on the issue concerning the competency of Accident Compensation Corporation's (ACC's) specialist assessors in New Zealand, and cites a statement by Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague indicating the need for ACC board to change its practices around engaging assessors.

The article reports on the postponement of Ambulance New Zealand's application for paramedics by the review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.

The article offers information on Canterbury, New Zealand-based Victoria Flight, a general practitioner, regarding her efforts of utilizing nutritional and therapeutic qualities of coconut oil to set up her own business in the region.

The article informs about the launch of the organization Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand's website which provides information on the Meningitis disease, symptoms and vaccination.

The article reports that the New Zealand Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has suspended pharmacist Wayne Baker for nine months in response to numerous fraud charges.

The article informs that General Practitioner Suresh Vatsyayann, who was penalized for malpractice in his profession, has an offer of employment from Taumarunui Community Kokiri Trust in New Zealand and also discusses financial hardship surrounding Vatsyayann.

The article informs about the opening of an integrated family health centre namely Three Rivers Medical in Gisborne, New Zealand, by health minister of New Zealand Tony Ryall.

The article presents views of Lester Levy, chairman of the Auckland and Waitemata District Health Board (DHB) in New Zealand, on proposed changes to a joint Auckland and Waitemata DHB committee which includes reduction in its membership.

The article reports on the scheduled inauguration by Ngati Whatma Orakei Health Clinics of its Orakei Health Services general practice at Eastridge Mall near Mission Bay in Auckland, New Zealand on October 1, 2012.

The article presents the highlights of the first New Zealand College of Primary Health Care Nurses New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) conference held in Hamilton, New Zealand in August 2012. In her speech, NZNO's Jill Clendon talked about the difference of primary healthcare and primary care. She also discussed about the social determinants of health, among others.

The article presents an obituary for New Zealand-based general practitioner (GP), Professor Marjan Kljakovic.

The article reports on the out-of-court settlement between fraud-convicted general practitioner Hongsheng Kong and Auckland District Health Board in May 2012, with regards to the repayment of capitation subsidies fraudulently claimed by the former.

The article discusses the author's conversation with Wellington, New Zealand-based general practitioner Juliet Bergh about her post-apocalyptic film "Existence."

The article reports on the move by New Zealand-based Eketahuna Health Centre to use its contingency fund to cope up with the 20,500 dollar loss it incurred in 2011.

The article reports on the move by Auckland, New Zealand-based Kumeu Medical Centre general practitioner (GP) William Ferguson to adorn his waiting room walls with art for the patients who patiently wait for their turn at the centre.

The article reports on the move by New Zealand-based Otago University medical student Libby Dai to pursue a research project about ethics at the Capital & Coast District Health Board's (DHB) Clinical Ethics Advisory Group due to the ethical dilemma that she confronted.

The article announces that Kevin Morris was appointed as medical advisor at the Medical Council of New Zealand.

The article reports on the claim by Victoria University researcher Hilary Stace that the reduced number of ethics review committees will endanger the lives of participants and could not detect possible coercion.

The article presents the highlights of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law Conference that was held in Auckland, New Zealand in July 2012. American bioethicist Carl Elliot claimed that 99% of privately financed studies are not inspected by authorities but by private ethics committees for a fee. Elliott also said that using the homeless and mentally ill individuals in clinical trials is a form of exploitation.

The article reports on the rehearing of the case of Hamilton, New Zealand-based general practitioner (GP) Suresh Vatsyayann, who was delisted from the register and fined 256,000 dollars by the country's Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in 2011 for enrolling patients without their consent.

The article presents a report by former New Zealand mental health commissioner Barbara Disley, which showed that primary mental health or social services could be better than the Accident Compensation Corp. (ACC) in funding sexual abuse services. The report is a result of the monitoring of the progress of the ACC's Sensitive Claims Pathway. The opinion of Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague on the developments is also cited.

The article reports on the study conducted by a panel at the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law Conference in Auckland, New Zealand in July 2012 on the case of farmer Allan Smith, who survived H1N1 influenza (swine flu) when he was given a high-dose of intravenous vitamin C.

The article reports on the claim by Health Workforce New Zealand's (HWNZ) Brenda Wraight that a general practice education programme (GPEP) employer in the country is already chosen but will not be announced yet.

The article reports on the plan by the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) to request the Accident Compensation Corp. (ACC) to increase its subsidy in order for children under six to be exempted from fees for accident care after hours.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's desert adventures in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

The article reports on the claim by cardiologist Cindy Grines that women need to do more to help themselves with regards to health illness, including calling emergency services.