Mike Houlahan

New exec: staff must be free to raise issues

Southern District Health Board quality and clinical governance executive director Gail Thomson....

New exec: staff must be free to raise issues

The Southern District Health Board should be a workplace where staff feel safe to raise employment issues, a newly appointed executive in charge of quality control says.

Workplace culture at SDHB under microscope

A range of recent official and anecdotal reports have highlighted workplace culture issues at various Southern District Health Board sites. Health reporter Mike Houlahan asks if one of the region's...

Many keen to be part of new health board

Many keen to be part of new health board

The return of a democratically elected Southern District Health Board has been greeted with enthusiasm.

SDHB working to reduce ED waiting times

SDHB working to reduce ED waiting times

The Southern District Health Board is trialling new initiatives to improve waiting times at its crammed emergency departments.

Dunedin couple embroiled in Hong Kong protest

Pro-democracy protesters in Kowloon, Hong Kong, last week. Photo: Errol Chave

Dunedin couple embroiled in Hong Kong protest

Dunedin couple Rona and Errol Chave had a more action-packed stopover in Hong Kong last week than they could have imagined, finding themselves embroiled in the city's pro-democracy protests.

Call to speed up access to treatment

Call to speed up access to treatment

The Southern District Health Board ranks 18th out of the 20 DHBs for treating cancer patients within three months, Ministry of Health data shows.

Golfers delayed by cracked windscreen

Debby Willocks (centre) and a group of Owaka Golf Club members and partners fill in time at the...

Golfers delayed by cracked windscreen

A group of Catlins golf enthusiasts scored a triple bogey yesterday, before their long-planned golfing holiday even began.

Resident doctors' association, DHBs end acrimonious dispute

One of the longest-running and most bitter health sector employment disputes ended yesterday after the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association agreed a new employment contract with district...

Cull up for 'daunting' SDHB challenge

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull's retirement plans have proven short-lived, after his confirmation yesterday he would run for a place on the Southern District Health Board in October's local body elections.

Cull shock entrant in SDHB race

Retiring Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull is a shock entry in to the race for the Southern District Health Board.

Minister assailed by hospital passes

Minister assailed by hospital passes

Being the Minister of Health has long been regarded as one of the most thankless jobs in government.

Promise to battle on for maternity services

Promise to battle on for maternity services

The owners of Lumsden Maternity Centre say they will continue to fight for better maternity services in Northern Southland.

14 throw hat in ring for SDHB

Despite deficits and pressures on waiting lists, at least 14 people have put their names forward to be on the Southern District Health Board.

Good progress hiring extra nurses: DHB

The Ministry of Health has held meetings in Dunedin and Sydney to establish which companies might...

Good progress hiring extra nurses: DHB

The Southern District Health Board says it is making good progress on hiring the extra nurses it needs to meet safe staffing requirements.

MPs castigate SDHB over maternity services

The Southern District Health Board did not deliver on its maternity service promises to Northern Southland women, a scathing report by MPs on the Lumsden Maternity Centre says.

SDHB accepts criticism over Lumsden

SDHB accepts criticism over Lumsden

The Southern DHB says it acknowledges and accepts the criticisms of a scorching report by MPs into Lumsden Maternity Centre.

Anxious wait for investors: 'We trusted him'

Anxious wait for investors: 'We trusted him'

Anxious investors waiting for news on at least $8 million linked to a Dunedin financial adviser have contacted the ODT, including one who said: "We thought he was going to look after our money ... We trusted him."

$8 million of clients' cash gone

At least $8 million of funds belonging to clients of Dunedin financial adviser Barry Kloogh are unaccounted for, a court judgement says.

Sense of camaraderie among surgical mesh patients

Draining but worthwhile is how Dunedin woman Denise Reeve described her presentation to a restorative justice forum for surgical mesh patients held in the city yesterday.

Media's effect on staff recognised

Media's effect on staff recognised

"Intensive media interest'' in the Southern District Health Board may be affecting some employees, a message sent to all staff last week says.

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Mike Houlahan