The cost of prescriptions issued by general practitioners has
been decreasing in Otago, a letter sent by the Otago Southern
Region Primary Health Organisation says.
About 50 patients
have had Dunedin Hospital radiology or mammography
appointments rescheduled as a result of next week's planned
industrial action by medical radiation technologists.
Health Minister Tony Ryall's approval will be
sought for a year-long pilot scheme which would offer some
Otago and Southland public hospital cancer patients the
option of paying for unfunded chemotherapy drugs.
Residents of Queenstown
were getting only about half the health services of similar
sized centres in Otago and Southland, the Southland District
Health Board was told yesterday.
Some Southland District Health Board members yesterday
criticised board communication over the proposed changes to
services for the elderly, saying it had caused unnecessary
anxiety.
Health Minister Tony Ryall accepts that delaying cuts to
housework help to some elderly people in Otago and Southland
will mean the district health boards will take longer to
balance their books.