Mike Houlahan

Talks fail: doctors' strike set to go ahead

The 20 DHBs serve a population of 4.8 million, compared to New South Wales in Australia which has...

Talks fail: doctors' strike set to go ahead

Hundreds of southerners face having hospital operations and procedures postponed after the failure of talks yesterday which hoped to settle the resident doctors' planned strike.

Doctors set to strike after talks break down

Doctors set to strike after talks break down

Talks between resident doctors and district health boards have broken down, meaning thousands of patients face having their operations postponed next week when doctors walk off the job.

Care should be taken over e-mental health tools: study

Electronic tools for treatment of mental health issues show great promise but must be introduced cautiously, University of Otago research says.

SDHB preparing to delay surgery

SDHB preparing to delay surgery

Southern District Health Board is awaiting the outcome of mediation talks between DHBs and resident doctors before postponing surgery scheduled to take place during a planned doctors' strike scheduled for next week.

Alexandra tops charts for warm year

Alexandra tops charts for warm year

Last January, Alexandra posted one of the highest temperatures ever recorded in New Zealand as the country registered its second-equal warmest year since records began.

Researchers recommend enhanced mental health crisis options

Researchers recommend enhanced mental health crisis options

New ways of helping people faced with a mental health crisis need to be explored, University of Otago research says.

Mediation between DHBs, doctors may prevent strike

Mediation beginning tomorrow may avert a planned strike by resident medical officers which threatens to disrupt hospitals across New Zealand.

Kiwi icon: Annual quest for succulent shellfish

Terry Osborne, of Bluff, samples the delicacy as the first boat unloaded at the port at the start...

Annual quest for succulent shellfish

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of the Bluff oyster - a true New Zealand delicacy.

Most doctors against unnecessary tests: survey

About three-quarters of doctors would likely advise against a patient having a medical test they did not need and would probably not provide it if asked, a recent survey shows.

Mental health stats not collected, researchers say

You're not OCD because you like to arrange the heels on your shoe-rack in height order. The...

Mental health stats not collected, researchers say

Important statistics which would help to understand the state of New Zealand’s mental health services are not being collected, University of Otago research has found.

Plunket advising Kiwis for over a century

Nurses pose among the daffodils at the Truby King-Harris Karitane Hospital at Andersons Bay,...

Plunket advising generations of Kiwi parents for 111 years

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of Plunket - a true New Zealand icon.

Adverse events fall to eight in 2017-18

Expediting cataract surgey could prevent future accidents, saving money, researchers say. PHOTO:...

Adverse events fall to eight in 2017-18

Six Southerners suffered vision loss in 2017-18 due to administrative shortcomings in the Southern District Health Board’s ophthalmology department.

SDHB begins emergency planning after news of doctors' strike

The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is in emergency planning mode after resident doctors chose the middle of the holiday period to give notice of strike action.

Surge in SDHB six-figure salaries

There has been a big jump in the number of Southern District Health Board employees who earn six-figure salaries.

The pointy edge of medical invention

The disposable hypodermic syringe, a notable New Zealand contribution to medical science. Photo:...

The pointy edge of medical invention

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of the disposable hypodermic syringe - a true New Zealand icon.

Kiwi icon: Edmonds' recipe for success

New Zealand’s best-selling book by far is a true New Zealand icon. Photo: Supplied

Edmonds' recipe for success

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of the Edmonds cook book - a true New Zealand icon.

DHBs must support overseas doctors

District health boards have an obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure overseas-trained clinical staff are fit for jobs in New Zealand hospitals, the Health and Disability commissioner says.

Medication errors prompt calls for electronic systems

Electronic systems to prevent medication mistakes seem likely to be implemented in the South in the wake of two serious adverse events.

Ownership issue pales in light of hat's common sacrifice

An Otago Mounted Rifles slouch hat on display at the Kensington Army Hall. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Ownership issue pales in light of hat's common sacrifice

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of the slouch hat - a true New Zealand icon.

Rural Health Alliance revitalised

DHB missed five of six ministry targets. Photo: Getty

Rural Health Alliance revitalised

Reports of the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand's demise have proved premature and the advocacy organisation has restructured and refocused on its work to improve the wellbeing of people living outside major cities.

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Mike Houlahan