Mike Houlahan

A critical shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health workers may stymie any ambitious plans hatched by the Government's newly announced mental health inquiry.

Using new technology to diagnose and treat ailments is all very well, but who is responsible if something goes wrong?

Commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the Seacliff Mental Hospital fire will leave both a historical and a mental health legacy. Health reporter Mike Houlahan reports.

Dunedin's von Metzinger family today returns to South Africa, a country  they are reluctantly forced to once more call home.

The stairway from the cells to the dock is open for business and so — almost — are the Dunedin Law Court buildings.

Dunedin's newly earthquake-strengthened and refurbished Law Courts buildings have been judged fit to stand trial.

An external review will be carried out into the disappearance of a man from Wakari Hospital last year.

The Government's newly announced mental health inquiry may be tackling too much in too short a time, a leading academic fears.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is shuffling firefighters around the South Island, with a looming heatwave expected to put extra pressure on already exhausted personnel.

Taieri theatre stalwart Nigel Ensor was stunned when he was tipped off he was to receive an award for his services to the dramatic arts.

Policy changes and greater accountability need to follow the Government's newly announced ministerial inquiry into mental health and addiction, a Dunedin suicide prevention trust says.

Site selection was the hot topic at yesterday's inaugural meeting of the Local Advisory Group to the Dunedin Hospital Project.

Many South Islanders may be vitamin D deficient, new research from University of Otago researchers suggests.

The Southern DHB's proposed primary care plan lacks detail and could lead to job losses, health sector unions say.

Decades ago, a fob honouring Sam McMillan’s service in World War 1 slipped from his grasp and into the Mataura River.

Ambitious plans by the Southern District Health Board to remodel how people interact with the health system are being pushed ahead, despite concerns how the cash-strapped organisation will fund them.

A new training simulation programme has proved very popular at the Southern DHB and earned the registrar who instigated it an award.

Pete Hodgson says his new role leading the Dunedin Hospital rebuild means he will have to step down as chief executive of Otago Innovation.