Health board merger consultation likely to begin next week
Health board merger consultation likely to begin next week
Public consultation on the possibility of merging the Otago and Southland district health boards is expected to begin next Monday.
Elspeth McLean
DVT trial proves successful: ODHB
DVT trial proves successful: ODHB
A trial to speed up treatment for patients suspected of having deep vein thrombosis has meant some patients have avoided lengthy waits in the Dunedin Hospital emergency department.
Early action vital against cancer
Early action vital against cancer
A week ago, the Otago Daily Times revealed the concerns of some Otago general practitioners about their patients' access to colonoscopy services at Dunedin Hospital.
New shops for hospital
New shops for hospital
A florist and gift shop and another food outlet will be integrated into the ground floor of Dunedin Hospital in a revamp expected to be completed early next year.
National bowel cancer team outlines efforts
National bowel cancer team outlines efforts
The national bowel cancer team at the Ministry of Health has been working since March on several fronts to improve colonoscopy services, clinical director (bowel cancer) Dr Carol Atmore says.
Cancer: Board was warned in June last year
Cancer: Board was warned in June last year
A call for an audit of all referrals to the Dunedin Hospital colonoscopy service was supported yesterday by Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson.
Don't self-analyse, patient says
Don't self-analyse, patient says
Do not self-analyse or ignore possible symptoms of bowel cancer - get to the doctor.
Uptight about fashion follies
Uptight about fashion follies
My half-hearted attempts to influence the fashion choices of the men in my life have been unsuccessful to date.
Ryall wants answers
Ryall wants answers
Health Minister Tony Ryall has asked the Otago District Health Board for an urgent report into concerns raised by general practitioners about patients' access to colonoscopy services.
Bowel cancer plan years away
Bowel cancer plan years away
The national bowel cancer screening programme announced by the previous government in May last year is still some years away, with funding not yet confirmed.
GP's anger: 'I can't believe it'
GP's anger: 'I can't believe it'
If the Otago District Health Board is going to provide a colonoscopy service, it needs to do it properly, a general practitioner with about 20 years' experience says.
Need for rural access
Need for rural access
Rural access to colonscopy services is an issue which needs to be addressed, chairwoman of New Zealand Rural General Practice Network Kirsty Murrell-McMillan says.
Board outlines service situation
Board outlines service situation
The availability of colonoscopy services might be alleviated somewhat by the recent arrival of a colorectal surgeon from Sweden, the Otago District Health Board advised general practitioners yesterday afternoon.
Confusion about colonoscopy referral process
Confusion about colonoscopy referral process
One of the issues raised about colonoscopy access by Otago GPs has been confusion about what does and does not qualify for a referral and who is actually making the decisions.
GPs angry at PHO decision process
GPs angry at PHO decision process
Rural general practice owners in Southland are "absolutely ropeable" about the process which delivered the decision to have two primary health organisations in Otago and Southland, Kirsty Murrell-McMillan says.
Hazardous drinking widespread: academic
Hazardous drinking widespread: academic
The level of harm being caused by the use of alcohol should concern people more than general trends about drinking, health researcher Dr Jennie Connor says.
Young drinkers most at risk
Young drinkers most at risk
Young people are more likely to be harmed by drinking than other people are, a Ministry of Health national survey of alcohol use says.
GP urges Southland health board to reconsider PHO decision
GP urges Southland health board to reconsider PHO decision
The plan for two primary health organisations in Otago-Southland is "nutty" and the Southland District Health Board should reconsider its stance on the matter, Dr Hans Raetz, of Queenstown, says.
Dispute halts Hotere auction
Dispute halts Hotere auction
A dispute over the ownership of some of the 60 works by Careys Bay artist Ralph Hotere, which were to have been auctioned last night in Auckland, forced the cancellation of the sale, auctioneer Ben Plumbly says.
Few health vacancies
Few health vacancies
Vacancies at the Otago District Health Board have decreased to the point where the board could be at risk of going over-budget if many more staff are appointed.