Wellington, July 18 NZPA - A lack of interest in the Health Ministry's top job shows concerns about the Government's direction for the sector, Labour and the Greens say. However the Government says it is just a matter of getting the right person for the job.

By Matthew Backhouse of NZPA Wellington, July 14 NZPA - The Government is defending cuts of more than $20 million to mental health programmes, saying it is providing more services and pumping more funds into mental health than ever before.

Wellington, July 13 NZPA - Accusations that the Government is doing hardly anything to fight obesity have been rejected by the Food and Grocery Council which says the claims are "inflammatory nonsense".

Wellington, July 12 NZPA - Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne's argument that the Government is focussed on activity rather than nutrition when it comes to fighting obesity shows a lack of understanding of the issue, Labour says.

Wellington, July 12 NZPA - The Government's Budget day announcement of $50 million extra for elective surgery was a farce as much of the money was needed for patients previously treated by ACC, Labour claims.

Wellington, July 7 NZPA - A government decision to stop hospitals charging for laboratory tests ordered by private specialists will rob the public health service of millions of dollars, opposition parties say.

Wellington, July 5 NZPA - The Labour Party has moved early to confirm a list of electorate candidates for next year's election. Labour has confirmed 17 candidates, with others having received a nomination but awaiting rubber stamping in 10 more electorates.

Wellington, July 5 NZPA - The Labour Party has moved early to confirm a list of electorate candidates for next year's election. Labour has confirmed 17 candidates, with others having received a nomination but awaiting rubber stamping in 10 more electorates.

Wellington, June 29 NZPA - A significant intake into the Government's voluntary bonding scheme for medical graduates will help address a problem of New Zealand-trained doctors heading to Australia, says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

Wellington, June 21 NZPA - Health Minister Tony Ryall must explain what he is doing to stop doctors moving to Australia after recent figures show half of the senior registrars in the last year of training go overseas, Labour MP Ruth Dyson says.