Nth Island health board rejects Compass food plan
Nth Island health board rejects Compass food plan
A North Island health board has thrown out the controversial hospital food plan that caused concern and division in the South.
SDHB
So much to review, so little to count on
So much to review, so little to count on
Two reviews of public health funding should be completed in a few months, but whether we can expect major changes or tinkering is unclear.
Meals on wheels volunteer will not 'subsidise' Compass
Meals on wheels volunteer will not 'subsidise' Compass
A meals on wheels driver says he is ''now certain'' the Southern District Health Board and Compass Group simply assumed volunteers would subsidise the service if it was outsourced.
Union warns SDHB of legal action
Union warns SDHB of legal action
The Service and Food Workers' Union has warned the cash-strapped Southern District Health Board could find itself embroiled in costly legal action if it goes ahead with food service outsourcing.
Hospital food decision a bitter pill
Hospital food decision a bitter pill
The embattled Southern District Health Board has approved a 15-year deal with a multinational corporation for food services after facing down an acrimonious public at a board meeting in Dunedin yesterday.
Kitchen spending unknown
Kitchen spending unknown
The Southern District Health Board has acknowledged it has no idea how much the Compass Group will spend equipping its kitchens over the next 15 years.
Be honest about funding gap: Little
Be honest about funding gap: Little
Labour leader Andrew Little yesterday criticised a lack of ''desperately needed'' government transparency on funding to district health boards.
Jobs to go as hospital kitchens outsourced
Jobs to go as hospital kitchens outsourced
The Southern District Health Board has announced it is going ahead with a plan to outsource its hospital kitchens.
SDHB wants 5% cuts across all services
SDHB wants 5% cuts across all services
The Southern District Health Board wants to cut costs by 5% for its services and those of contracted providers, as it grapples with an ''awful reality'', chairman Joe Butterfield says.
New perspective on SDHB woes
New perspective on SDHB woes
The man drafted in to help the Southern District Health Board says he provided a new perspective on the organisation's ''significant challenges''.
Obscure health funding upsets
Obscure health funding upsets
Concerns over the fairness and secrecy of health funding have re-emerged in the wake of Southern District Health Board warning its deficit has blown out and it must cut costs.
Reprieve on hospital kitchens
Reprieve on hospital kitchens
Unions have succeeded in securing a one-month delay in the decision on whether to outsource southern hospital kitchens.
SDHB in 'serious freefall'
SDHB in 'serious freefall'
Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has rejected a claim the Government is considering installing a commissioner at the Southern District Health Board.
Kitchen job losses outlined
Kitchen job losses outlined
Up to 20% of hospital kitchen jobs in the South could be lost if a proposal to outsource southern hospital kitchens goes ahead.
Hospital fund cut disparity warning
Hospital fund cut disparity warning
A proposed 5% funding cut by the Southern District Health Board for its rural hospitals will affect some areas more than others, Clutha Health First chief executive Ray Anton says.
Role's focus on rebuild
Role's focus on rebuild
The head of finance at Southern District Health Board is switching to a new position focused solely on the Dunedin Hospital rebuild.
Meeting sheds no light on deficit
Meeting sheds no light on deficit
Little more information was given at the Southern District Health Board meeting in Dunedin on Thursday about the board's dire financial position.
Sugary drinks banned
Sugary drinks banned
Sugary drinks will be banned from sale at Southern District Health Board premises under a policy approved this week.
Emphasis on healthier staff menus
Emphasis on healthier staff menus
Hospital staff could face smaller meal portions under changes proposed in a healthy food and drink policy at the Southern District Health Board.
Many forces at play in hospital food proposal
Many forces at play in hospital food proposal
Southern District Health Board kitchen staff have waited about two years to find out whether the board will go ahead with an outsourcing proposal. Health reporter Eileen Goodwin speaks to some of those involved, and looks at the background of the issue.