Progress criticised
Progress criticised
Concerns that work on a suicide prevention plan for Otago has been too slow have been raised by Otago District Health Board member Louise Rosson.
Elspeth McLean
Urgent change needed, health committee hears
Urgent change needed, health committee hears
Urgent change is needed to the organisation of mental health services in the South which builds on the strengths of all those involved, the Otago and Southland district health boards community and public health committee has heard.
Refraining from hissing in silly ears
Refraining from hissing in silly ears
When I announced I was off on a reverse Undie, colleagues were baffled.
1500 to miss out on before school check
1500 to miss out on before school check
Funding for the B4 School Programme should cover all eligible children, but more than 1500 Otago and Southland children will miss out on the health check, a health official says.
Medical staff supporting clerical
Medical staff supporting clerical
The union representing some of the highest paid hospital employees is supporting the pay claim of some of the lowest paid.
ODHB making progress
ODHB making progress
While the Otago District Health Board could improve the way it communicates with community organisations, progress is being made, chairman Errol Millar says.
Minimum liquor pricing sought
Minimum liquor pricing sought
Public Health South supports comprehensive changes to liquor laws including minimum pricing, raising the purchasing age to 20 years, stopping alcohol advertising in supermarkets and banning sales from dairies.
No fraud insurance claims filed yet
No fraud insurance claims filed yet
The Otago District Health Board is not yet pursuing any insurance claims for the $16.9 million fraud of the board.
Changes to alcohol legislation supported
Changes to alcohol legislation supported
Alcohol abuse is one of New Zealand's most significant problems, and events surrounding the Undie 500 last weekend had brought the issues to the fore, the Otago and Southland community and public health advisory committee heard in Invercargill yesterday.
Practices' PHO plan views clear
Practices' PHO plan views clear
Otago and Southland general practices have a clear majority view on the future set-up of primary health organisations in the regions - a view being conveyed to the two district health boards, South Link Health executive director Prof Murray Tilyard says.
Doctors advised 'do right thing' if at fault
Doctors advised 'do right thing' if at fault
Sorry may be the hardest word to say when things go wrong, but health practitioners need to see making genuine apology as a strength, health law practitioner Dr Marie Bismark says.
No crane drama this time as tower goes up
No crane drama this time as tower goes up
The second of three new fibreglass cooling towers for Dunedin Hospital's ward block was placed successfully yesterday, with no hint of the drama which accompanied the June installation.
Doctors' pay deferred as centre hit by downturn
Doctors' pay deferred as centre hit by downturn
Doctors covering after-hours shifts at the Dunedin Urgent Doctors and Accident Centre have been working without pay since June to help the centre's finances.
Sprain treatment caution
Sprain treatment caution
People who immediately reach for anti-inflammatory medications following a sprain or strain injury could be hindering their healing and risking further damage.
Professor providing scientific view on dealing with alcohol
Professor providing scientific view on dealing with alcohol
A new organisation seeking changes to the liquor laws expects to attract flak from the alcohol industry, but "enormous goodwill" from ordinary New Zealanders, spokesman Prof Doug Sellman says.
Teens directed to seek measles shots
Teens directed to seek measles shots
The Ministry of Health is urging young people aged between 13 and 20 to get their measles vaccinations up to date, as concerns increase about the possibility of a measles epidemic in this age group.
Blame and shame with Mikayla Lors
Blame and shame with Mikayla Lors
Perhaps the pull towards transformation has something to do with spring.
Suggested health changes not 'enormous': chairman
Suggested health changes not 'enormous': chairman
A health report released recently had not proposed "enormous reforms" in the health sector as some people in the industry suggest, Dunedin lawyer John Anderson says.
Literacy conference to be held in Queenstown
Literacy conference to be held in Queenstown
Topics ranging from the impact of texting on children's writing to literacy programmes for prisoners will be explored at the New Zealand Reading Association conference, which will be held in Queenstown this month.
Further talks planned on PHOs
Further talks planned on PHOs
A second special meeting of the Otago and Southland district health boards will be held on September 17 to further discuss primary health organisations.