Board head to go: Ryall
Board head to go: Ryall
Health Minister Tony Ryall will not reappoint Errol Millar as chairman of the next Southern District Health Board.
Tony Ryall
Review of theatre use
Review of theatre use
Southland Hospital is one of seven sites selected to participate in a new programme to improve the productivity of operating theatres.
$6.6m redevelopment for NICU and paediatric ward
$6.6m redevelopment for NICU and paediatric ward
The redevelopment of the neonatal intensive care unit and paediatric ward at is expected to be the most expensive part of the $24.38 million capital works projects planned for Dunedin and Wakari hospitals.
Budget approval delaying upgrades
Budget approval delaying upgrades
Building work is yet to start on the $24.4 million upgrade of Dunedin and Wakari hospital facilities because the Minister of Health has not approved the Southern District Health Board budget for this year.
Forum warns lives at risk
Forum warns lives at risk
The recent case of a 46-year-old woman patient who "definitely" would have died without acute neurosurgery at Dunedin Hospital features in a hard-hitting letter from senior clinicians on the dispute over the service's future.
Hopes of $1.2m saving dashed
Hopes of $1.2m saving dashed
The Southern District Health Board's hopes of saving about $1.2 million a year by charging for laboratory tests ordered by private specialists have been dashed by the Government.
Govt answers health funds plea
Govt answers health funds plea
The Government has answered a plea from the Southern District Health Board for $7 million to help tackle its deficit.
Chemo plan rejected by minister
Chemo plan rejected by minister
Health Minister Tony Ryall has turned down the Southern District Health Board's controversial proposal to take fee-paying chemotherapy patients.
Decision could be up to minister
Decision could be up to minister
If the South Island district health boards do not like whatever the Director-general of Health proposes in the neurosurgery row, Health Minister Tony Ryall may have no choice but to get involved.
Authority for neurosurgery decision queried
Authority for neurosurgery decision queried
Doubt about the power of the Director-general of Health to impose a final decision in the South Island neurosurgery dispute has been raised by Southern District Health Board member Richard Thomson.
Minister gives hint
Minister gives hint
The Government has given its first indication neurosurgery services may be kept in Dunedin.
Parafed Otago adds voice
Parafed Otago adds voice
A Dunedin man, who was not expected to live following an accident almost 50 years ago, has made an impassioned plea for the retention of neurosurgery services.
Nurse rallies to promote neurosurgery importance
Nurse rallies to promote neurosurgery importance
Owaka woman Sandra Grant knows only too well the value of neurosurgery services in Dunedin.
Consider the background agendas
Consider the background agendas
Tudor Caradoc-Davies believes background agendas, particularly the desire for a full medical school in Canterbury, are behind moves to base all South Island neurosurgeons in Christchurch. In this letter to Health Minister Tony Ryall, he explains why.
MPs speak out over possible loss of neurosurgery
MPs speak out over possible loss of neurosurgery
Emergency care for people in remote areas of Otago and Southland could be compromised if neurosurgery is offered only from Christchurch, Dunedin-based National list MP Michael Woodhouse says.
Patient-centred approach urged on neurosurgery
Patient-centred approach urged on neurosurgery
Health Minister Tony Ryall hopes a decision on neurosurgery services in the South can be made within two months.
Retain neurosurgery, MPs told
Retain neurosurgery, MPs told
Despite a suggestion last week that southerners could write to the Director-general of Health, Stephen McKernan, with their concerns about neurosurgery service plans, no letters have yet been received by his office.
A fundamental service
A fundamental service
The damaging hiatus on neurosurgery in Dunedin continues, leaving the city and the South poorly covered at present and with an uncertain future.
Ryall puts an end to lab test charging
Ryall puts an end to lab test charging
District Health Boards are not going to be allowed to charge patients for laboratory tests ordered by private specialists, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.
Know your worth, Ryall tells nurses
Know your worth, Ryall tells nurses
Enrolled nurses will need to keep pushing for greater recognition of their role with employers, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.