Elspeth McLean

The University of Otago's largest department - preventive and social medicine - which celebrates its 125th anniversary this weekend, had an inauspicious beginning.

Concerns about a possible public-private redevelopment of health services in the Wakatipu are likely to be raised with the Southern District Health Board by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

Complaints being investigated by the Christchurch branch of the Office of the Ombudsmen will still be dealt with, even though the Forsyth Barr building where staff worked has been "red-stickered".

When she gleefully shouted "I feel a blackberry and apple pie coming on", my heart sank. The walk to the lake near our old home farm was supposed to be a chance for us both to forget about cooking, something that had consumed us for the past fortnight or so.

The South Island Neurosurgical Service's board of directors will take an honest and open approach in its communication with the public, its terms of reference say.

Hospital admissions for toxic food poisoning in New Zealand are very uncommon, Southern medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore says.

My friend's card mocks me from the dust on top of the television. She made it and it's gorgeous. There's embossing, pearly adornments and a strawberry sitting atop something which could be a cupcake or a muffin.

Dunedin Hospital is exploring how it can increase its elective colonoscopies as it struggles to meet an "ambitious target".

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has distanced herself from speculation the Government has plans to change the Minimum Wage Act if a Court of Appeal decision, expected this month, finds against the practice of "averaging".

Dunedin Hospital will not meet the Ministry of Health target for emergency department stays without investment in a short-stay unit, Southern District Health Board chief operating officer (Otago) Vivian Blake says.