Flu is stretching board
Flu is stretching board
The Otago District Health Board's swine flu response involves "significant resource implications" and chief executive Brian Rousseau said he would not want it to continue much longer.
Elspeth McLean
Cleanliness of hospital criticised
Cleanliness of hospital criticised
The Dunedin Hospital site is crowded, in poor repair, and its cleanliness is not up to scratch, an inspection has found.
Perils of flying no mere flight of fancy
Perils of flying no mere flight of fancy
Not for the first time in one of our discussions, the word "stupid" was used to describe my view.
Primary health review expected
Primary health review expected
South Link Health's controversial proposal for a primary health organisation (PHO) covering Otago, Southland and South Canterbury, which it says would save $1.3 million a year in administration costs, should not be approved "at this time", Brian Rousseau says.
Taieri Gorge fundraising walk a great success
Taieri Gorge fundraising walk a great success
The first fundraising walk along part of the Taieri Gorge railway line yesterday was so successful it may become an annual event.
No new cases of measles in Dunedin
No new cases of measles in Dunedin
IN another few days, Public Health South should know whether there are any more cases of measles in Dunedin.
Extra tests for special pigs in diabetes trial
Extra tests for special pigs in diabetes trial
Public concern about swine flu has prompted Living Cell Technologies (LCT) to order extra tests on the pigs it hopes to use in a trial to treat diabetics, but the biotechnology company expects the animals will get the all-clear.
NZ hit by swine flu fears
NZ hit by swine flu fears
Otago health officials will today instigate a "full emergency response structure" to prepare for a potential swine influenza pandemic after testing showed 10 Auckland teenagers are likely to be infected with the virus.
Mental health service users followed up
Mental health service users followed up
Two of an estimated 5000 people who used Otago District Health Board mental health services in 2007 went on to commit unspecified serious crimes, a report released recently shows.
Hospital slow to see non-acute patients
Hospital slow to see non-acute patients
While patients at Dunedin Hospital with acute conditions continue to be seen immediately in the emergency department, last year the hospital was still slower than most other centres to see less serious cases.
Measles still circulating
Measles still circulating
The Dunedin English measles outbreak which began in January continues, and health authorities believe there could be more than the 31 cases they know about.
Judicial review sought
Judicial review sought
Former Queenstown property developer Basil Walker is attempting to file an application in the High Court at Dunedin for a judicial review related to the Otago Regional Council's involvement with the Otago stadium project.
Rural GPs deterred by drunks
Rural GPs deterred by drunks
Aggressive drunks are making women doctors reluctant to work after hours in rural areas, Balclutha general practitioner Dr Branko Sijnja says.
Emergency department urged to keep alcohol statistics
Emergency department urged to keep alcohol statistics
The Alcohol Advisory Council would like to see emergency departments routinely recording the number of patients presenting with alcohol-related injuries to help show the size of the problem.
Anzac Day: everybody has their own version of history
Anzac Day: everybody has their own version of history
It was an Easter revelation. I had always wondered how it looked when someone recoiled in horror, and there it was before me.
Services `over delivered'
Services `over delivered'
Limiting the number of elderly people who receive community services and the amount of support they receive could save the Otago District Health Board about $6.6 million a year, the board's planning and funding team says.
DHB bosses asked to make 5% cuts
DHB bosses asked to make 5% cuts
Otago and Southland District Health Board managers have been asked to make 5% budget cuts for next year because the boards' expected deficit is $5.7 million higher than the Minister of Health finds acceptable.
400 jobs in largest of dam projects
400 jobs in largest of dam projects
The two largest Clutha dam proposals being considered by Contact Energy would each create about 400 full-time jobs over their peak construction periods, the company says.
Meeting calls for referendum
Meeting calls for referendum
A call for the Dunedin City Council to hold a referendum on the Otago stadium issue before the signing of the construction contract was made at a lively public meeting in Caversham last night attended by about 140 people.
Mayor urges feedback over dam proposals
Mayor urges feedback over dam proposals
People who would be affected by the dam proposals for the Clutha being considered by Contact Energy should respond to the company's call for feedback, Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes says.