Health

There is little in the Budget that helps people who need it the most, Otago Presbyterian Support chief executive Gillian Bremner says.

There is a looming danger the world could fall victim to its own success in almost eradicating polio, United Nations Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon writes.

By working together, five South Island district health boards have saved $12 million so far this financial year, the South Island Health Alliance has announced.

A backlog of older people are waiting for needs assessments because of delays in implementing a new computer system in the South.

If they have any symptoms, Dunedin Hospital metal-on-metal hip implant recipients are being checked for ill effects even if their implant has not been recalled, a surgeon's report to Otago GPs says.

An upgrade of Balclutha's hospital is due to begin in the next few weeks pending final approval from the Clutha District Council.

Malcolm Macpherson questions the need for both ward-based elections and community boards.

Rather than nurses losing their jobs at Wakari Hospital's specialist rehabilitation service (Isis), their workforce will be strengthened, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Dunedin organiser Lorraine Lobb says.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed the Southern District Health Board will remain the national provider of a specialised radiation procedure, while a Dunedin Hospital senior doctor says it is only a matter of time before the service cannot cope with demand.

The honeymoon appears well and truly over between the senior doctors' union and Health Minister Tony Ryall.

Tuatapere has long had to fight for its maternity services, explains former Tuatapere Hospital manager Isabel Fraser.

Listed company AWF Group is continuing its expansive healthcare acquisitions with the purchase of South Island healthcare provider Nursing New Zealand, which provides a wide range of services across Otago, Southland and Canterbury.

The Southern District Health Board is no longer confident of partnering the University of Otago in funding a gastrointestinal diseases centre development, although the university remained key to establishing the centre of excellence, DHB chief operating officer (Otago) Vivian Blake says.

Young Maori are being admitted to hospital with acute illnesses at a significantly higher rate than non-Maori of the same age, according to a report by a University of Otago research unit being released today.

Rural GPs providing on-call services 24 hours a day will be helped by a Southern Primary Health Organisation initiative, PHO chief executive Ian Macara says.

Credibility is a vital component of medical screening services. Without it, they stand to lose the confidence of the subjects for whose benefit they exist.