Drug decision may ‘pave way’
A funding announcement for a drug that will help dozens of cystic fibrosis sufferers could pave the way for future boosts, a Dunedin campaigner says.
Dunedin
South’s ambulance calls increase
South’s ambulance calls increase
St John was called out more than 36,000 times in Otago and Southland last year - a 6.9% increase from 2018.
Every day different for medical technician
Every day different for medical technician
A pager goes off and suddenly St John emergency medical technician Sandra Wilson’s day has changed.
Noise, vibration plans expected for demolition
Noise, vibration plans expected for demolition
Consent has been granted for the first stage in the demolition of the former Cadbury factory to make way for the new Dunedin Hospital.
Critical care unit upgrade going well
Critical care unit upgrade going well
Stage two of the redevelopment of Dunedin Hospital’s critical care unit appears to be progressing with few of the dramas of stage one.
SDHB to take note of screening trial results
SDHB to take note of screening trial results
There is always interest in new technology for bowel cancer screening, the Southern District Health Board says.
Neurosurgeon lined up for Otago
Neurosurgeon lined up for Otago
Dunedin Hospital’s beleaguered neurosurgeon Ahmad Taha may finally be about to receive some much needed help, with the Southern District Health Board poised to appoint a second neurosurgeon.
Telehealth benefits undermined: experts
Telehealth benefits undermined: experts
Benefits which telehealth could provide South Islanders are being undermined by an uncoordinated approach and poor monitoring of how services are used, a new region-wide strategy says.
Measles risk after infected person travelled across country
Measles risk after infected person travelled across country
A person who was travelling across the country over the holidays has been confirmed as having measles and had travelled to places including Dunedin, Whare Flat Folk Music Festival and was on the Interislander Ferry.
Arguments for, against move to ‘generalism’
Arguments for, against move to ‘generalism’
The Southern District Health Board is preparing a strategic case to adopt "generalism" at Dunedin Hospital. Mike Houlahan asks what generalism is, and what it might mean for...
Concern over SDHB survey reiterated
Concern over SDHB survey reiterated
The senior doctors union has reiterated its concerns about the Southern District Health Board’s survey of the hours its doctors work, claiming its outcome is ‘‘predetermined’’.
Medical staff cautioned about boundaries
Medical staff cautioned about boundaries
All Southern District Health Board senior medical and dental officers have been warned to maintain ‘‘scrupulous adherence’’ to the boundaries between their private and public work.
SDHB staff 'seething' over management's performance
SDHB staff 'seething' over management's performance
Senior Southern DHB medical staff have ‘‘seething anger’’ over the conduct and performance of the organisation’s management - and their organisation is at ‘‘teetering point’’, a veteran health unionist says.
Entonox ‘required’ in two of six cases: GP
Entonox ‘required’ in two of six cases: GP
A third of urgent cases seen at the Lumsden maternal and child hub in the weeks after it opened involved mothers who needed nitrous oxide for pain relief, newly released emails show.
Plans afoot to ease issues in overloaded ED
Plans afoot to ease issues in overloaded ED
Help may be on the way for the Southern District Health Board’s under-siege emergency departments.
Urologist role filled after 12 years
Urologist role filled after 12 years
The University of Otago has announced it has finally found a specialist urologist to take up the role of associate professor of urology, after hunting for more than a decade.
Maintaining the health of the system
Maintaining the health of the system
The Southern district is soon to have an elected health board once more. Four years after commissioner Kathy Grant was installed, along with deputy Richard Thomson, health reporter Mike Houlahan...
Confusion over child hubs shown in emails
Confusion over child hubs shown in emails
Newly released Ministry of Health emails concerning the Southern DHB's maternity strategy reveal the degree of confusion which surrounded the board's introduction of "maternal and child hubs".
Access central to new primary health plan
Access central to new primary health plan
Wellsouth, the southern region's primary health organisation, has released its annual report and launched a new strategic plan.
Maternity hub system criticised
Maternity hub system criticised
The Southern District Health Board's controversial maternity strategy seemed to be ''experimental'' and unreferenced, a midwifery academic says.