Mike Houlahan

The Southern DHB which carried out 5.5% less planned surgery than budgeted for due to Covid-19 lockdowns last year, has had to defer a further 104 procedures so far during the latest lockdown.

Cancer patients in the South are continuing to receive treatment in local hospitals, and the Southern DHB is considering continuing to outsource treatment to Christchurch despite the lockdown.

Back on August 12, 2021 BD (before Delta), when Parliament rose for what was meant to be an uneventful recess week, MPs had just started the second reading debate on the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill.

Southern mental health services have been subject to a second in-depth investigation in the past three years - a review which everyone hopes will ease the strain on a sector under severe pressure.