Urgent changes needed to fix colorectal cancer care - report
A new way of managing colorectal cancer in the Southern District Health board population must urgently replace competition with co-operation, reviewers say.
Elspeth McLean
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
Auditors reviewing cases over concerns about colonoscopy access through the Southern District Health Board limited their review because it was taking too long to get complete clinical records.
Limited colonoscopy access slammed
Limited colonoscopy access slammed
A claim of "inter-service warfare" has emerged in a damning review of Southland access to Southern District Health Board's colonoscopy service.
The gaps in the screen
The gaps in the screen
Our breast screening system has limits that those using it might be best to know, Elspeth McLean reports.
The power of apology
The power of apology
Natalie Yeoman is mystified by the failure of a senior Southern District Health Board radiologist to apologise to her.
The scars and the healing
The scars and the healing
Dunedin teacher Natalie Yeoman's breast cancer, missed on two routine breast screens, was incurable by the time she was diagnosed. But that's not all that went wrong
Southland surgeons' frustration evident
Southland surgeons' frustration evident
Frustrations from Southland surgeons about colonoscopy referrals and ‘‘missed cancers’’ are evident in correspondence to the Southern District Health Board, writes Elspeth McLean.
No time frame set
No time frame set
Southern District Health Board is revealing little about the delay to the completion of the external review of colonoscopy referrals at Southland Hospital.
SDHB racks up $656K in staff payouts
SDHB racks up $656K in staff payouts
The Southern District Health Board's highest individual termination or personal grievance payment last financial year was $75,000.
Health minister silent over DHBs' highest pay packets
Health minister silent over DHBs' highest pay packets
Health Minister David Clark has been unwilling to give his views on the size of the highest pay packets at district health boards.
Eight DHB bosses on $500,000-plus
Eight DHB bosses on $500,000-plus
Eight district health boards had pay packages for their chief executives of $500,000 or more last financial year.
$1m pay packets for four Auckland surgeons
$1m pay packets for four Auckland surgeons
Top district health board pay last year went to four Auckland surgeons with packages topping $1 million.
Waiting times may have delayed diagnosis
Waiting times may have delayed diagnosis
An external review of referrals for colonoscopy at Southland Hospital will include at least 20 cases where surgeons believe diagnosis of cancer was delayed.
The heart goes out to those whose notes desert them
The heart goes out to those whose notes desert them
If you come bearing a bouquet, please leave out the bluebells.
Concern at bowel cancers missed
Concern at bowel cancers missed
Early figures on cancers missed in the Waitemata bowel screening pilot have prompted fresh concern about the limitations of the national programme and the need for comprehensive information for...
Stories of dementia reveal what remains and what is lost
Stories of dementia reveal what remains and what is lost
Elspeth McLean reviews Somebody I Used to Know, by Wendy Mitchell (with Anna Wharton), and Song for Rosaleen, by Pip Desmond.
Screening recommended
Screening recommended
Despite concern about the reach of the national bowel-screening programme, Bowel Cancer New Zealand says it is delighted the Southern District Health Board is joining the programme this month and...
Opinion: Curran needs to wise up
Curran needs to wise up and look to the cabinet manual
Dear Clare, on a bad day, or even a good one, do you wish you were cleverer?
Bowel patients may have waited five years
Bowel patients may have waited five years
Some of the 10,000 people wrongly dropped off the invitation list for bowel screening may have been waiting to be seen for five years, the Ministry of Health says.
Glitch extent still unknown
Glitch extent still unknown
Last week, Health Minister David Clark went public over a glitch in the bowel screening pilot scheme which may have affected three people who went on to get cancer, one of whom has since died.