More have flu shots
More have flu shots
The number of influenza vaccines distributed in Otago this year to the end of June is 4780 more than the number for the corresponding time last year.
Elspeth McLean
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.
Electronic prescribing trial delays
Electronic prescribing trial delays
September because of delays over the approval for electronic "signatures".
Progress on single PHO slower than hoped
Progress on single PHO slower than hoped
Establishing the new Southern Primary Health Organisation is still slower than hoped, with none of the existing nine PHOs yet completing the assignment of assets and programmes to the new body.
Ambulance vital for stroke patients
Ambulance vital for stroke patients
The case of a stroke patient who missed out on clot-busting treatment because they took two hours to come by car to Dunedin Hospital is being used to remind general practitioners such patients should travel by ambulance.
Neurosurgery consultation
Neurosurgery consultation
If the proposed solution on neurosurgery services in the South involves a significant change, public consultation would be needed, Southern District Health Board chairman Errol Millar says.
Working party seeks cheaper health care plan
Working party seeks cheaper health care plan
A working party looking at the way care is provided at Frankton's Lakes District Hospital is expected to come up with a cost-saving solution, Southern District Health Board chief executive Brian Rousseau says.
$14m total deficit funding
$14m total deficit funding
The Southern District Health Board has received $14 million in deficit funding for the just completed financial year, but expects its end-of-year deficit to be about $2.5 million more.
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.
Sporting success still an enduring mystery
Sporting success still an enduring mystery
It is that unpredictability that keeps us interested and enthralled.
Demand on theatre time leaves patients waiting
Demand on theatre time leaves patients waiting
Lack of theatre time means Dunedin Hospital is having difficulty arranging acute surgery and some people may be waiting up to five days.
Health staff ideas to drive any changes
Health staff ideas to drive any changes
The decision not to change the management structure of Dunedin and Invercargill hospitals does not mean there will be no push for regional services, Southern District Health Board chairman Errol Millar says.
Board's spending priorities questioned
Board's spending priorities questioned
When staff spend thousands of dollars extra on clinical supplies, they need to ask if it is the most important use of that money, Richard Thomson told the Southern District Health Board's hospitals' advisory committee last week.
Staff cap adds to hospital pressure
Staff cap adds to hospital pressure
Lack of money and the cap on administrative staff is putting staff under pressure, Dunedin Hospital's chief medical officer, Richard Bunton, says.
Smoking ban bid is personal: Thomson
Smoking ban bid is personal: Thomson
A call for the reinstatement of the pilot smoke-free scheme for some Wakari Hospital patients "without inappropriate undermining delay" was described by Richard Thomson at a meeting in Invercargill yesterday as a personal attack on him.
Cull touts benefits of free city internet
Cull touts benefits of free city internet
Providing limited free access to a digital wireless network across the city might not be particularly expensive and could bring unexpected benefits to the city, Cr Dave Cull says.
Superheroes helping children with illnesses
Superheroes helping children with illnesses
A young patient with epilepsy called Wendy might not know her condition led to the development by two University of Otago graduates of a series of comic books designed to help children around the world understand medical conditions.
Some trauma deaths preventable: study
Some trauma deaths preventable: study
A study of Otago and Southland trauma deaths of patients who died before reaching hospital suggests a significant number of the deaths might have been preventable.
Sleepover urgent hearing sought
Sleepover urgent hearing sought
An urgent hearing of an appeal in the case involving sleepovers and the averaging of wages is being sought following a Court of Appeal judgement this month.
Thomson joins race for council
Thomson joins race for council
Former Otago District Health Board chairman Richard Thomson will stand for the Dunedin City Council and has not ruled out seeking election to the health board as well.