Health workers thanked for hard work
Hospital food has a poor reputation, but there were few grumbles about the fare being served up at Wakari Hospital yesterday.
Health care
5100 sign Lumsden maternity centre petition
5100 sign Lumsden maternity centre petition
The future of Lumsden Maternity Centre remains under consideration, but 5100 people have already made up their minds it should remain open.
COHSL studies primary care health options
COHSL studies primary care health options
Central Otago Health Services Ltd is investigating the possibility of moving into primary healthcare, but will not be starting up a new GP medical practice, its leaders say.
Unconsented ECT numbers soar
Unconsented ECT numbers soar
The number of patients who had electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) against their will appears to have skyrocketed in New Zealand.
DHBs labouring on award settlements
DHBs labouring on award settlements
District health boards are ending the year with a flurry of industrial negotiations involving more than 43,000 employees.
Night rates may impact on disabled
Night rates may impact on disabled
Services provided to those with disabilities may be radically changed because of the agreement to pay the minimum wage to night carers, the head of a Dunedin community care provider says.
Health report to be made on August 29
Health report to be made on August 29
The National Health Board panel says it will unveil its recommendations on future health care in the Wakatipu in a public meeting on Monday, August 29.
Forum collects health concerns
Forum collects health concerns
Better education and publicity about New Zealand health care for the Wakatipu's newly arrived or temporary overseas population was called for, during the third and final drop-in session with the National Health Board (NHB), on Friday.
US healthcare system 'scary'
US healthcare system 'scary'
The efficiency of New Zealand's healthcare system was brought home to Dr Penny Andrew when on her recent Harkness Fellowship in the United States it took her nine weeks to see a health practitioner.
Meeting 'integral' in helping board
Meeting 'integral' in helping board
Discussions in Queenstown last week on the proposed Lakes District's integrated family healthcare centre were "undoubtedly ... tense at times", but integral in helping the Southern District Health Board (DHB), chief executive Brian Rousseau said yesterday.
Health services co-operation supported
Health services co-operation supported
Health services at Queenstown should not be considered in "splendid isolation", Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) executive director Ian Powell says.
Retiring ED head quick to argue for patients
Retiring ED head quick to argue for patients
Outspoken Dr John Chambers has stood down after 17 years as Dunedin Hospital emergency department clinical leader, but he has not finished yet. He is looking forward to being a full-time specialist without the leadership role. Dr Chambers reflects on his time in charge of emergency medicine with ODT health reporter Elspeth McLean.
Plea not to cut counselling service
Plea not to cut counselling service
A Dunedin woman receiving couple counselling related to the family's two autistic sons has appealed to Presbyterian Support not to reduce the service and has criticised a lack of communication about proposed cuts.
NZ health system gets tick
NZ health system gets tick
New Zealand's first overall health system scorecard was unveiled in Dunedin yesterday. The system received a respectable 71% - but performed poorly in many areas.
Thrilled with award for book
Thrilled with award for book
Dunedin health policy researcher Associate Prof Robin Gauld says his success in the British Medical Association medical books awards this month is like winning an Academy Award or Golden Globe.
Practice still waiting for new doctors
Practice still waiting for new doctors
The prognosis for patients seeking appointments at Balclutha's largest general practice is for long waits, after it was hit by its second doctor shortage in as many years.
Six off to India to fight polio
Six off to India to fight polio
Being part of a team of two million volunteers immunising 150 million children against polio is just one of the life-changing experiences on the agenda for a southern team who will spend six weeks in India next year.
Ultrasound changes
Ultrasound changes
Criteria for referring patients for abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds graded "non-urgent" are to be tightened by the Southern District Health Board in a bid to cut waiting times.
Quota heartens hospital board
Quota heartens hospital board
Although it was difficult to know what effect health funding in the Budget would have in the South, yesterday's announcements were better than expected, Southern District Health Board Errol Millar said.
Mosquito bite puts traveller's plans on hold
Mosquito bite puts traveller's plans on hold
With a BA degree in classics and economics from Otago University safely under his belt, local boy James Parker left Queenstown in November last year to see the world and make his fortune.