Health minister's approach slammed
A senior Dunedin medical figure has taken issue with new health minister Dr Jonathan Coleman's ''condescending'' approach towards doctors at the Southern District Health Board.
Ministry of Health
Suppressed Tamiflu research telling
Suppressed Tamiflu research telling
New research showing antiviral drug Tamiflu shortens the symptoms of flu by just 12 hours is raising questions about the billions of dollars spent by countries to stockpile it.
Health system 'under stress'
Health system 'under stress'
The Southern District Health Board has been the focus of close attention this week, with concerns expressed across the health sector about the population-based funding model, staffing levels,...
Health fund millions get murky
Health fund millions get murky
Who knew what and when? Questions are being asked since it was revealed recently the Southern District Health Board has known about the possibility of a health funds fraud for more than three years. Health reporter Eileen Goodwin examines the issues.
Fraud possibility not disclosed
Fraud possibility not disclosed
Stuart McLauchlan, the man charged with monitoring the Southern District Health Board, says he was not told of legal advice in 2010 that the South Link Health (SLH) funds dispute might involve fraud.
Financial pressure blamed
Financial pressure blamed
Financial pressure on the Southern District Health Board is affecting its ability to buy equipment, the board's 2013-14 annual plan says.
Ministry to help Ashburn Clinic
Ministry to help Ashburn Clinic
The Ministry of Health will work with Ashburn Clinic, in Dunedin, to find a solution to the private psychiatric hospital's funding issues, the ministry said after a meeting with clinic representatives.
Ministry talks on Ashburn
Ministry talks on Ashburn
The Ministry of Health says it needs to hear from Ashburn Clinic, in Dunedin, before forming a view of the private psychiatric hospital's situation.
Clinic reprieve hopes
Clinic reprieve hopes
Ashburn Clinic, in Dunedin, is relying on the Ministry of Health to save the financially strapped private psychiatric hospital.
Study puts spotlight on obesity
Study puts spotlight on obesity
Obesity is creeping up on smoking as one of New Zealand's biggest health burdens, a recent Ministry of Health study shows.
Dunedin faces losing health jobs
Dunedin faces losing health jobs
Dunedin could lose more jobs under moves to centralise health board finance, procurement and administration jobs.
Review of Dunedin gastroenterology unit
Review of Dunedin gastroenterology unit
The Ministry of Health is reviewing a report arguing Dunedin's gastroenterology facility must be urgently upgraded.
Cardiac surgery incident register to be less transparent
Cardiac surgery incident register to be less transparent
The Ministry of Health is unable to say what the public will be able to glean from information to be stored on a new national register of cardiac surgery incidents.
Irreparable harm to children's bodies: expert
Irreparable harm to children's bodies: expert
A ''depressing lack'' of health prevention strategies in New Zealand schools is causing irreparable damage to children's bodies, which will cost taxpayers millions of dollars in the years to come, a musculoskeletal specialist says.
Tenders invited for health projects
Tenders invited for health projects
The Ministry of Health has called for tenders for a controversial new healthy eating initiative.
Study finds issues with IF scheme
Study finds issues with IF scheme
Concerns an unregulated "second-class" carer workforce is being created by the burgeoning "individualised funding" (IF) scheme for the disabled are revealed in an evaluation commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
Outsourcing result of commission staff cuts
Outsourcing result of commission staff cuts
It is "just silly" the now-defunct Mental Health Commission spent $346,800 on a single outside contractor during 2011-12 to develop a mental health plan, Labour MP and mental health spokesman Iain Lees-Galloway says.
Health ministry yet to release results of study made last year
Health ministry yet to release results of study made last year
The Ministry of Health spent nearly $60,000 last year to evaluate a scheme that allows disabled people to employ their own carer; but is yet to release the results.
Breast-screening discussion delayed
Breast-screening discussion delayed
The national breast-screening programme's independent advisory group seems unlikely to formally discuss recent screening controversies until July.
Ministry appeal thrown out
Ministry appeal thrown out
The Court of Appeal has thrown out an appeal by the Ministry of Health regarding payments for parents who care for their disabled children.