Mike Houlahan

DHBs must support overseas doctors

District health boards have an obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure overseas-trained clinical staff are fit for jobs in New Zealand hospitals, the Health and Disability commissioner says.

Medication errors prompt calls for electronic systems

Electronic systems to prevent medication mistakes seem likely to be implemented in the South in the wake of two serious adverse events.

Ownership issue pales in light of hat's common sacrifice

An Otago Mounted Rifles slouch hat on display at the Kensington Army Hall. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Ownership issue pales in light of hat's common sacrifice

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of the slouch hat - a true New Zealand icon.

Rural Health Alliance revitalised

DHB missed five of six ministry targets. Photo: Getty

Rural Health Alliance revitalised

Reports of the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand's demise have proved premature and the advocacy organisation has restructured and refocused on its work to improve the wellbeing of people living outside major cities.

Outsourced services over budget for struggling SDHB

The Southern District Health Board slashed its spending on consultants and contractors by more than $700,000 in the past financial year.

Maori health directorate appointed

The Southern District Health Board's new Maori health directorate, chief Maori health strategy...

Maori health directorate appointed

A new Maori health directorate has been appointed by the Southern District Health Board to try to turn around the region's dismal Maori health statistics.

Board acts to boost stop-smoking advice

Initiatives have been introduced to try to improve the Southern District Health Board's substandard statistics in offering stop-smoking advice to expectant mothers.

The koru - arguably the best-known Maori symbol

Since the late 1960s, Air New Zealand’s koru-liveried aircraft have been a familiar sight around...

The koru - arguably the best-known Maori symbol

Mike Houlahan looks at the story of the koru - a true New Zealand icon.

Nurses' accord concerns rural hospitals

Nurses' accord concerns rural hospitals

Otago rural hospitals are bracing for possible industrial action next year, as the implications of the Government's much heralded nursing safe staffing accord begin to affect them.

Will 2019 be the year of Curran's comeback?

The decline and fall of Dunedin South MP Clare Curran was the southern political story of 2018 - but might her return to grace be a story for 2019?

Hospital on itinerary for passengers

Hospital on itinerary for passengers

Dunedin has many tourist attractions, but almost daily a cruise ship passenger misses out on the Royal Albatross Centre or Larnach Castle and spends their day in Dunedin Hospital's ED instead.

Isolation room keeps new ICU closed

An independent engineering assessment is being carried out to determine what needs to be done to open Dunedin Hospital's new $14.8million critical care facility.

More people wait too long

A sudden drop in people seeing specialists and receiving elective surgery in the recommended time frame has the Southern District Health Board searching for causes and a solution.

Fight over bag of chips firing may not be over

Fight over bag of chips firing may not be over

A Dunedin woman wrongly fired over a $1 bag of chips is considering further legal action after being left out of pocket because of the cost of taking her case.

SDHB seeks Govt help following $21m deficit

The Southern District Health Board has asked the Government for a bailout after running up its second successive $21 million-plus budget deficit.

Swanson-Dobbs named new CEO for Wellsouth

Swanson-Dobbs named new CEO for Wellsouth

Wellsouth Primary Health Network has a new chief executive officer.

'Jubilant' over drug funding

Dunedin hepatitis C campaigner Hazel Heal has received an early Christmas present: news Government drug-buying agency Pharmac will make medicine available to all people with the liver disease.

Grant optimistic despite another big deficit

Grant optimistic despite another big deficit

The Southern District Health Board has racked up its second successive $21 million-plus deficit - $7 million more than forecast.

16 more nurses employed to manage safety

The Southern District Health Board has employed 16 new nurses as it moves towards meeting safe staffing requirements.

Daughter’s PhD completes family hat trick

University of Otago vice chancellor Harlene Hayne with the latest doctor of psychology in the...

Daughter’s PhD completes family hat trick

University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne has sat through dozens of graduation ceremonies, playing her part of a special day for thousands of families.

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Mike Houlahan