Report finds improper accreditation procedure by SDHB
Failure by the Southern District Health Board to properly accredit a vaccination provider which administered potentially ineffective Covid-19 vaccinations might have been a blessing in disguise.
SDHB
SDHB meets for last time before restructure
SDHB meets for last time before restructure
Perhaps in keeping with its eventful history, the Southern District Health Board’s last meeting did not end smoothly.
Covid and short-staffing hit surgery
Covid and short-staffing hit surgery
A new report shows the magnitude of the ongoing impact Covid-19 and staff shortages are having on surgical services in the South.
Health board systems of concern
Health board systems of concern
Parliament's health select committee has raised concerns about management controls at the Southern District Health Board, and in particular its financial and IT systems.
SDHB still challenged in filling nursing gaps
SDHB still challenged in filling nursing gaps
The Southern District Health Board is still desperately trying to recruit new nurses, to cover both normal health care and to prepare for the expected impact of Covid-19.
Gastroenteritis outbreak closes two wards
Gastroenteritis outbreak closes two wards
Two wards have been closed at Dunedin Hospital and infection and prevention-control measures are in place following a gastroenteritis outbreak.
Hospital site ready for next stages
Hospital site ready for next stages
The big crane has left town and the diggers have been parked up where one day the new Dunedin Hospital will stand.
Not all bad news for southern health in 2021
Not all bad news for southern health in 2021
Covid-19 refused to go away, but the pandemic was far from the only reason the southern health system hit the headlines in 2021. Health reporter Mike Houlahan looks back on the year that was.
Snowy to the rescue
Snowy to the rescue
The clip clop of tiny hooves is enough to make any child’s heart race at Christmas time.
Some hospital patients not getting data: survey
Some hospital patients not getting data: survey
An unscientific survey of Dunedin Hospital patients suggests about a third may either not be properly informed of some details of their care or fail to understand what they are told.
Aged-care nurses in short supply
Aged-care nurses in short supply
A chronic shortage of aged residential care nurses in the South is showing no signs of easing.
SDHB’s Sept deficit doubles
SDHB’s Sept deficit doubles
Covid-19 continues to be a major drain on the Southern District Health Board’s finances, despite it having received an unbudgeted $7million towards its vaccination programme.
Wait list honesty needed: DHB head
Wait list honesty needed: DHB head
More than 400 Southerners have waited more than a year for an elective procedure and many others have lingered more than the expected four months on the waiting list.
Cancer waiting list reduction at risk
Cancer waiting list reduction at risk
The Southern District Health Board has finally made some progress in reducing record waiting lists for radiation oncology treatment, but it fears the Covid-19 lockdown will stall that momentum.
Determination for change in mental health sector
Determination for change in mental health sector
Southern mental health services have been subject to a second in-depth investigation in the past three years - a review which everyone hopes will ease the strain on a sector under severe pressure.
Frustration, low morale at SDHB, review says
Frustration, low morale at SDHB, review says
Southern District Health Board staff have low morale and feel unaware of the direction the organisation is heading, a scathing confidential review of the board says.
Breast cancer treatment trial may be implemented by SDHB
Breast cancer treatment trial may be implemented by SDHB
A breast cancer treatment trial which has achieved significant success in the North Island may be implemented by the Southern District Health Board.
Air quality work urged
Air quality work urged
The Southern District Health Board has urged the Otago Regional Council to reconsider the proposed pause of its air quality work.
Departing SDHB executive: 'I have learnt so much'
Departing SDHB executive: 'I have learnt so much'
Lisa Gestro has been at the heart of some of the Southern District Health Board’s most controversial and most challenging moments in the past three years.
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
Auditors reviewing cases over concerns about colonoscopy access through the Southern District Health Board limited their review because it was taking too long to get complete clinical records.