NZ 35th in pandemic preparedness
New Zealand’s poor rating internationally for pandemic readiness is not reassuring, Prof Sir David Skegg says.
Elspeth McLean
Recyclable plastic still being dumped - waste report
Recyclable plastic still being dumped - waste report
A report due at the end of this month will give the Dunedin City Council a better understanding of how much plastic which could have been recycled is going to landfill.
ED expecting more patients due to events
ED expecting more patients due to events
Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department is expecting more patients, given the increased number of people in the city for major events over the next week.
Three keen for Dunedin South Labour nomination
Three keen for Dunedin South Labour nomination
At least three people are expected to seek the Labour Party nomination for the Dunedin South electorate to be vacated by sitting member of Parliament Clare Curran at this year’s September general...
Big-hearted co-ordinator to run appeal
Big-hearted co-ordinator to run appeal
This year’s Dunedin area co-ordinator for the Heart Foundation New Zealand’s annual street appeal John Dennison jokes that at almost 80 years old he might be getting to the age where he could...
Bowel cancer proposals questioned
Bowel cancer proposals questioned
The authors of last year’s damning report into the Southern District Health Board’s colonoscopy service and bowel cancer treatment waiting times are not convinced new proposals will solve...
Dementia awareness pilot launched
Dementia awareness pilot launched
Helping businesses to become more dementia friendly is the aim of an Alzheimers Otago’s six-month pilot programme.
Posting your vote
Posting your vote
Voters in the Dunedin area wanting to post their votes for the local government elections may find the post box they used last election has disappeared.
Ministry method of measuring demand questioned
Ministry method of measuring demand questioned
The Ministry of Health does not have an appropriate way to estimate the demand for colonoscopy, University of Otago epidemiologist and screening authority Associate Prof Brian Cox says.
Reluctance to release survey results uncovered
Reluctance to release survey results uncovered
Emails about a 2017 endoscopy service survey in which some Southern DHB doctors claimed patients had been harmed reveal the service manager’s dissatisfaction with the recent damning independent review. Elspeth McLean reports.
Free rein in review of service
Free rein in review of service
The man brought in to help resolve longstanding differences involving the Southern District Health Board's gastroenterology service has been given a free rein.
Teething issues on cycleway
Teething issues on cycleway
Lines will be painted around garden plots on the shared cycleway between Portobello and Broad Bay to make the gardens easier to see in the dark, the DCC says.
Many factors contribute to low voter turnout
Many factors contribute to low voter turnout
Telling people off for not voting isn't the way to boost voter turnout in elections, University of Otago politics professor Janine Hayward says.
Conservation Week activity starts Monday
Conservation Week activity starts Monday
People keen to get involved in conservation but not sure where to start may get some ideas from the Conservation Week exhibition at the Otago Museum next week.
Vaccinations encouraged
Vaccinations encouraged
People born between 1970 and 1990 are being encouraged to check whether they have been vaccinated against measles, in the wake of an increasing number of cases of the disease in New Zealand this year.
More resources needed: doctor
More resources needed: doctor
More resources are needed for colonoscopy services throughout the country, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners' outgoing medical director Richard Medlicott says.
Relief report authors can meet minister
Relief report authors can meet minister
Christchurch surgeon Phil Bagshaw is relieved Health Minister David Clark will meet him next week to discuss the recent report into colonoscopy access and colorectal cancer management in the Southern DHB region.
Gastroenterology Society offers help with colonoscopy demand
Gastroenterology Society offers help with colonoscopy demand
The New Zealand Gastroenterology Society has offered to help Southern District Health Board staff cope with any extra demand for colonoscopy resulting from recent changes to the referral process.
First, the fighting must stop
First, the fighting must stop
The Southern District Health Board is committed to overhauling its management of colorectal cancer but it cannot do that until it sorts out the culture around the gastroenterology department, chief executive Chris Fleming says.
Report author seeks inquiry as funding to do job absent
Report author seeks inquiry as funding to do job absent
A public inquiry into colorectal cancer management by the Southern District Health Board is being called for by the co-author of a recent damning review of colonoscopy access.