Author: Andrew Thomson

Media scrutiny and political pressure have been credited with helping clear the prolonged cardiac surgery waitlist at Waikato Hospital. Amid a backlog of up to eight-week delays—driven by insufficient ICU beds, staffing shortages, and equipment limitations—the spotlight from both media coverage and elected officials prompted Te Whatu Ora to act decisively. They responded by outsourcing procedures to private facilities, reallocating […]

Professor Martin Stiles, a leading Waikato cardiologist, has been honoured for his groundbreaking research and clinical work that has significantly impacted both elite athletes and everyday New Zealanders. His contributions to cardiac electrophysiology have not only advanced the treatment of heart rhythm disorders but also played a pivotal role in the health and performance of Olympic medalists. Read the article […]

Summary Paragraph: Professor Martin Stiles, Chair of the CSANZ NZ Region and newly appointed professor at the University of Auckland, is being celebrated for his remarkable contributions to cardiology in Aotearoa. Based at Waikato Hospital, he has pioneered complex cardiac ablations, transforming the lives of patients—including Olympic gold medallists—by treating life-threatening arrhythmias. His research into atrial fibrillation, sudden cardiac arrest, […]

Delays in cardiac care across New Zealand are leading to avoidable harm and even deaths, warns Dr. Sarah Fairley, Medical Director of The Heart of Aotearoa New Zealand Kia Manawanui Trust. Speaking on behalf of cardiologists and health professionals, she highlighted critical issues such as prolonged wait times for diagnostics like echocardiograms and angiograms, resulting in patients becoming too unwell […]

Dr. Corina Grey has been appointed as New Zealand’s new Director of Public Health, bringing extensive experience in epidemiology and public health leadership. Her appointment is expected to strengthen public health initiatives and address pressing health challenges across the country. Dr Corina Grey appointed director of public health | Stuff

In this RNZ Morning Report interview, Professor Martin Stiles, Chair of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (NZ Region), discusses the growing concern over lengthy wait times for cardiac scans in New Zealand. He highlights the impact delays are having on timely diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, and calls for urgent action to address capacity and resourcing […]

Follow this link to hear the full interview on RNZ about Cardiac specialist Dr Dean Boddington finishing his permanent role at Tauranga Hospital after 16 years. He is leaving, citing burnout. Cardiologist quits over intolerable pressure | RNZ

Follow this link to hear the full interview on RNZ from Saturday Morning 14 September 2024. Martin Stiles, Chair of the NZ Cardiac Society, joins Saturday Morning to talk about the Government’s health delivery targets and their impact on cardiac patients.

The Cardiac Society is urging Pharmac to fully fund two newer medications, SGLT2 inhibitors and PCSK9 inhibitors, that are very effective in treating people with heart failure to live longer better lives. Listen to NZ Cardiac Society Chair Dr Martin Stiles on Newstalk ZB on 8 July; he says that cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of New Zealanders […]

The NZ Committee of CSANZ, on behalf of the members, were delighted to award Prof A Mark Richards the NZ Cardiac Medal at the ASM in Christchurch in June 2024. In presenting the award, Selwyn Wong outlined Mark’s long and illustrious career in cardiology. Mark has been a Consultant cardiologist in Canterbury since 1987. He has an outstanding research career […]