Mike Houlahan

Recruiting foils nursing staffing promise

Under new government rules, three-quarters of people working in the public sector - including...

Recruiting foils nursing staffing promise

The Southern District Health Board has pledged to boost nursing numbers to meet safety requirements, but is not confident of being able to hire the nurses it needs to fulfil that promise.

$50,000 for physio pool repairs will ‘only buy time’

The Southern District Health Board has approved $50,000 in repair work for the Dunedin physiotherapy pool.

'Someone will die': ED staff take legal action on work conditions

The 11 patients were discharged from the emergency department rather than wards. Photo: ODT file

'Someone will die': ED staff take legal action on work conditions

Fears patients could die waiting for treatment in Dunedin Hospital’s beleaguered emergency department have prompted staff to take legal action demanding urgent improvement.

Hospital stretched to its limit

Hospital stretched to its limit

Caring for two Covid-19-stricken sailors over the weekend stretched Southland Hospital almost to breaking point.

Chairman pushing area for fluoride policy

Southern District Health Board chairman Pete Hodgson has reiterated his offer to the Government for the region to be a test case for compulsory fluoridation of drinking water.

Physio pool’s sustainability questioned

More than $1million is needed for repairs to the Dunedin physio pool

Physio pool’s sustainability questioned

At least $1.3million in repairs is needed in the short to medium term to keep the Dunedin physio pool afloat.

Much advice in harsh report on SDHB accepted

Southern DHB chief executive Chris Fleming says Dunedin Hospital is doing its best amid heavy...

Much advice in harsh report on SDHB accepted

The Southern District Health Board should accept the majority of recommendations made in a scathing independent report into how it operates, its chief executive says.

Board apologises to man who suffered after surgery

Stephen Watt with his apology letter from the Southern District Health Board, which sets out...

Board apologises to man who suffered after surgery

Nursing shortages were responsible for substandard care which left him in pain and with a post-operative infection, Dunedin man Stephen Watt says.

Named as finalist after helping land investment

Award nominee Dr Alexandra Tickle, commercialisation manager at Otago
...

Named as finalist after helping land investment

Helping to negotiate a $14million investment in a University of Otago research project has earned a backroom manager unexpected public recognition.

Patient safety at risk

The Southern District Health Board is placing patients at risk of harm due to a shortage of nurses on its wards.

Southern say: Crunch time nears in battle of the Jameses

Green Party leadership aspirant James Cockle, of Dunedin. PHOTO: YOUTUBE

Southern say: Crunch time nears in battle of the Jameses

The Green Party constitution requires it to engage in "nonviolent conflict resolution as the process by which ecological wisdom, social responsibility, and appropriate decision making will be...

Transplant hurdle too high

The phrase "signing your own death warrant" is loosely used, but Glenn Blundell knows exactly how that feels.

Most GP clinics ready for vaccinating

Most GP clinics ready for vaccinating

Most southern general practice clinics are now ready to dispense Covid-19 vaccinations, despite widespread dissatisfaction at being forced to use the Ministry of Health’s booking system.

Much work behind scenes in cancer treatment

The Southern DHB recorded the highest levels of overall burnout. File photo

Much work behind scenes in cancer treatment

Many things in cancer are precious, and so is radiation oncologist David Anderson’s time.

Students’ wellbeing at centre of new code

Home sweet home? Dunedin tertiary halls of residence. PHOTOS: LINDA ROBERTSON

Students’ wellbeing at centre of new code

Last Friday, with whatever fanfare it might have received drowned out by the Howl of a Protest farmers rally, the Government released a new code of practice for the pastoral care of tertiary and...

Captain, two crew taken off ship

New Zealand is fast approaching 1200 confirmed cases. Photo: Getty Images

Captain, two crew taken off ship

The captain of the Covid-19-stricken container vessel Mattina and two of his crew have been evacuated from the ship’s Bluff mooring.

Waiting time of seven hours at Urgent Doctors explained

Waiting time of seven hours at Urgent Doctors explained

Dunedin Urgent Doctors has been swamped with patients, people reporting waits of as long as seven hours.

Pandemic played role in staff concerns: SDHB

Some masks were purchased as far back as 2005. Photo: Getty Images

Pandemic played role in staff concerns: SDHB

Fear of change and uncertainty driven by Covid-19 lie behind many of the concerns raised in the latest Southern District Health Board staff satisfaction survey, it believes.

Crew to ED then released

Fourteen months after the South’s last case of Covid-19 recovered, local doctors yesterday again donned protective equipment to treat patients with the pandemic disease.

Kiwi comes home to job as medical officer of health

New Southern District Health Board medical officer of health John Eastwood. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Kiwi comes home to job as medical officer of health

The irony of having left pandemic-stricken Sydney to work for the SDHB, just as two new cases of Covid-19 arrive in the region on board a container ship, has not escaped newly appointed medical officer of health Prof John Eastwood.

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Mike Houlahan