Nitrate levels may be factor in cancer rates: research
Nitrate levels may be factor in cancer rates: research
Nitrate levels in southern water might be a contributing factor to the region’s high bowel cancer rates, new research suggests.
Mike Houlahan
Ashburn Clinic costs exceed funds
Ashburn Clinic costs exceed funds
The cost of treating patients for the Ministry of Health is not keeping pace with funding available for the job, Ashburn Clinic chairman Clive Matthewson warns.
Death with Dignity Bill: Long road from defeated first steps
Death with Dignity Bill: Long road from defeated first steps
Assisted dying has now become legal in NZ. Health reporter Mike Houlahan speaks to a politician who spearheaded the first attempt to change the law, and an academic who'll closely watch the outcome.
Key staff shortages a problem for SDHB
Key staff shortages a problem for SDHB
The Southern District Health Board is having serious difficulty recruiting and retaining staff and some hospitals are at risk of not being able to provide services.
Innovative health head leaves digital legacy
Innovative health head leaves digital legacy
Southern District Health Board chief medical officer Nigel Millar has quietly left the building.
Assisted dying to be available from Monday
Assisted dying to be available from Monday
More than 30 South Island doctors have expressed an interest in providing assisted dying services.
Fine-toothed comb used to hold Govt to account
Fine-toothed comb used to hold Govt to account
There is indeed a place for everything and Dunedin National Party list MP Michael Woodhouse has been striving, with varying degrees of success, for everything to be put in its place.
Consent for new hospital risks wasting taxpayer dollar - panel
Consent for new hospital risks wasting taxpayer dollar - panel
The Ministry of Health says it will continue seeking fast-track consent for groundworks for the new Dunedin Hospital despite an independent panel questioning whether that is wise.
SDHB member votes against 90% motion
SDHB member votes against 90% motion
A Southern District Health Board member has voted against a motion to try to promote at least 90% double vaccination against Covid-19 in the district.
SDHB’s very long waiting list
SDHB’s very long waiting list
It's the list no-one wants to be on - patients who have waited more than a year for treatment.
Worst-case Covid scenarios for South 'worrying'
Worst-case Covid scenarios for South 'worrying'
Thousands of cases of Covid-19 and more than 200 deaths could ravage the South in the Southern District Health Board’s worst-case scenario for 2022.
Oncology stats still concerning
Oncology stats still concerning
The Southern District Health Board’s oncology statistics remain a concern but have improved.
Pre-surgery vaccination a national discussion
Pre-surgery vaccination a national discussion
Health boards are discussing nationally whether patients will need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before planned surgery.
Watchful eye on ophthalmology
Watchful eye on ophthalmology
The performance of the Southern District Health Board’s ophthalmology service, the subject of a scathing health and disability commissioner report three years ago, is again under scrutiny.
Aged-care nurses in short supply
Aged-care nurses in short supply
A chronic shortage of aged residential care nurses in the South is showing no signs of easing.
SDHB’s Sept deficit doubles
SDHB’s Sept deficit doubles
Covid-19 continues to be a major drain on the Southern District Health Board’s finances, despite it having received an unbudgeted $7million towards its vaccination programme.
Simmonds still fighting her education battle
Simmonds still fighting her education battle
If you wrong us shall we not revenge, Shakespeare asked in The Merchant Of Venice.
SDHB plans for Covid worst-case scenario
SDHB plans for Covid worst-case scenario
Clinicians are planning for a Covid-19 worst-case scenario in which close to 900 cases a week are reported in Otago and Southland and 40 people are in hospital.
Govt announces new ministry for disabled
Govt announces new ministry for disabled
Southern disability advocates have welcomed the Government announcement yesterday that it plans to establish a ministry for disabled people.
Small dip in cancer diagnoses nationally in Level 4
Small dip in cancer diagnoses nationally in Level 4
Cancer diagnoses dropped 9% during this year’s nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, but how Alert Level 4 affected southern cancer services remains unclear.