Pharmacist defiant on fee
Pharmacist defiant on fee
A Dunedin pharmacist is fighting plans to stop him charging customers an extra flat fee for services, something he has been doing for almost three years.
Elspeth McLean
Submissions favour combined health board
Submissions favour combined health board
Submissions on the single joint Otago-Southland district health board proposal narrowly favour the idea, with most opposition coming from Southland responses.
Call to avoid drug-funding 'games'
Call to avoid drug-funding 'games'
A man who moved from Dunedin to Auckland with his wife so they could pursue treatments for her rare cancer welcomes the debate about unfunded treatments in public hospitals.
Call to avoid drug-funding 'games'
Call to avoid drug-funding 'games'
A man who moved from Dunedin to Auckland with his wife so they could pursue treatments for her rare cancer welcomes the debate about unfunded treatments in public hospitals.
Unimaginative advertising may force me to Act
Unimaginative advertising may force me to Act
How things change. Air New Zealand, which was scared of seating unaccompanied children next to men, now appears to be celebrating sexually predatory behaviour.
Oncologist defends drug payment option
Oncologist defends drug payment option
Allowing public hospital cancer patients to have the option of paying for drugs not available through the public system would not mean the beginning of the end of the public health system, Dunedin oncologist Dr Chris Jackson says.
Regulars farewell Best Cafe's Mabel
Regulars farewell Best Cafe's Mabel
Business was brisk at Dunedin's Best Cafe yesterday afternoon as about 50 regulars, rounded up by District Court Judge Stephen O'Driscoll, gathered for an early farewell to restaurateur Mabel McCormick, who has sold the Stuart St business after almost 25 years.
Spirituality among dying focus of study
Spirituality among dying focus of study
While pain is dealt with well in the care of the terminally ill, more could be done to address spiritual pain, University of Otago researcher Richard Egan says.
Group sells birth centre land
Group sells birth centre land
Land for an eight-bed community birth centre in Dunedin has been sold, with developers giving up a seven-year struggle to get Otago District Health Board support for the project.
Attending health boards' workshop
Attending health boards' workshop
When the Otago and Southland district health boards meet for a day-long private workshop in Invercargill on Monday, they will be joined by the new National Health Board's business unit interim director Chai Chuah.
Free vaccine for some in February
Free vaccine for some in February
Plans for the February distribution of the free vaccine against swine flu for those considered at high risk of contracting the illness are still being finalised.
Colonoscopy rate to rise this year
Colonoscopy rate to rise this year
More colonoscopies will be done at Dunedin Hospital this year, but the report on the hospital's handling of some referrals for the procedure will not be completed until next month.
2009 swine flu deaths tipped to top 20
2009 swine flu deaths tipped to top 20
The total number of deaths from swine flu in New Zealand last year is expected to exceed the 20 confirmed so far, deputy director of public health Dr Fran McGrath says.
Health board rationing non-urgent operations
Health board rationing non-urgent operations
While the Otago District Health Board is carrying out more complicated surgery and treating more patients, it cannot meet demand for non-urgent operations.
Movement for nurse practitioners flourishes
Movement for nurse practitioners flourishes
Eight years after nurse practitioners began registration in New Zealand, the movement for them is gathering real momentum, Otago and Southland district health boards' regional chief nursing and midwifery officer Leanne Samuel says.
Couple worried Frank may have croaked
Couple worried Frank may have croaked
English visitors Janet and Ralph Stephenson hope their well-travelled companion, Frank, has not croaked.
Ear, nose and throat to see only urgent cases
Ear, nose and throat to see only urgent cases
Dean Ruske
Fewer patients with non-urgent conditions will be seen by ear, nose and throat specialists at Dunedin Hospital as the specialty tries to stay within budget.
Physiotherapy school establishment on hold
Physiotherapy school establishment on hold
Plans by a United States university to open a physiotherapy school in Queenstown which could initially cater for 25 students have been placed on hold.
Idea Services plans to appeal
Idea Services plans to appeal
Idea Services will seek leave to appeal Employment Court rulings in a case which could have multimillion-dollar implications for the Government.
Illustrious career describing plants international effort
Illustrious career describing plants international effort
It might turn out to be an international success story.