Staff woes hit breast-screening
Staff woes hit breast-screening
Staff shortages mean that, for the next few weeks, the Otago District Health Board breast-care service will book only urgent diagnostic mammograms.
Elspeth McLean
Health workers should lose right to strike: Bunton
Health workers should lose right to strike: Bunton
Health workers should, like police officers, by law not be allowed to strike as a way of settling pay claims, Otago District Health Board chief medical officer Richard Bunton says.
Call to scrutinise health-strike care
Call to scrutinise health-strike care
A Dunedin woman who was told her 50-year-old partner was "minutes away from death" before his surgery during the medical radiation technologists' strike in November 2006 wants strike measures by health professionals scrutinised.
More using urgent doctors service
More using urgent doctors service
While Dunedin Hospital's emergency department struggles to cope with patient numbers, the nearby Dunedin Urgent Doctors and Accident Centre is dealing with thousands more patients annually.
Reduced hospital prescription cost welcomed
Reduced hospital prescription cost welcomed
Reduced payments for drugs prescribed in public hospitals will be welcomed by pharmacists who have been getting flak from customers annoyed at having to pay extra for such drugs, Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand practice manager Christine Mandeno says.
Significant elder abuse in Otago
Significant elder abuse in Otago
Otago people might be surprised to know Age Concern deals with at least one significant case of elder abuse a week, mostly within the Dunedin area, Otago executive officer Susan Davidson says.
ODHB faces $1.5m extra capital charge
ODHB faces $1.5m extra capital charge
Government capital charges on assets which could increase the Otago District Health Board's deficit by $1.5 million this financial year were described as silly at the board's monthly meeting this week.
Waiting room adviser role rejected
Waiting room adviser role rejected
A suggestion Dunedin Hospital could employ someone to advise people in the emergency department waiting room about their options for treatment was not supported at the Otago District Health Board meeting this week.
Colon cancer symptoms often ignored
Colon cancer symptoms often ignored
Though New Zealand's second highest cancer killer is colorectal, people often ignore symptoms of the disease and pay no attention to keeping their bowel healthy, Dunedin gasteroenterologist Dr Michael Schultz says.
Consultation with providers favoured
Consultation with providers favoured
It is "bollocks" to think generic disability awareness training is the answer to improving health access for the intellectually disabled, Otago District Health Board chairman Richard Thomson says.
Uncertainty over thyroid drug reactions
Uncertainty over thyroid drug reactions
It is hard to tell whether reports of adverse reactions for thyroid drug Eltroxin received by the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring in Dunedin have reached a plateau or if they are the tip of the iceberg, centre director Dr Michael Tatley says.
Concerns over health measures for Maori
Concerns over health measures for Maori
Otago District Health Board chief executive Brian Rousseau has concerns over measures aimed at improving the health of Maori in Otago.
Emergency dept visits not chosen lightly
Emergency dept visits not chosen lightly
People who come to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department often feel guilty about being there but see it as their only option, Dr Anne Worsnop says.
Dunedin couple's twins a first in NZ
Dunedin couple's twins a first in NZ
While Dunedin couple Kelli and Parviz Najafi can claim a New Zealand first title for their twins, they were the only parents in their antenatal class who did not know the sex of their babies.
Selection process fair, Winiata says
Selection process fair, Winiata says
Maori Party president Prof Whatarangi Winiata says the selection process for the Te Tai Tonga candidate is fair and he is disappointed at Edward Ellison's decision not to seek the nomination.
There should be a law against such torture
There should be a law against such torture
Elspeth McLean has hit upon the idea of staging a citizens initiated referendum for the benefit of "incompetent home sewers". Whatever can she mean?
Struggle to find savings of $1.8m
Struggle to find savings of $1.8m
The Otago District Health Board and its nursing staff are expected to find ways of working more efficiently to save $1.8 million, but it will not be easy, chief nursing officer Teresa Bradfield says.
GP support staff leave South Link Health
GP support staff leave South Link Health
In the past six months, South Link Health, a Dunedin-based organisation which supports general practice across the South Island, has reduced its staffing by about two-thirds.
Ellison not seeking selection
Ellison not seeking selection
Otakou Maori Party member Edward Ellison has told the party he will not seek selection as a candidate for the Te Tai Tonga electorate because of his concerns about the process.
Early causeway uncovered on development site
Early causeway uncovered on development site
A rough pedestrian causeway discovered this week about 1.3m below ground at the Dunedin City Council's Wall Street development in George St is believed to be one of the earliest archaeological finds relating to European settlement in Dunedin.