Restrictions in force in SDHB hospitals
Tight new restrictions are now in force in southern hospitals, and visitors are banned in all but the most grievous circumstances.
Dunedin
Non-urgent dental services cancelled
Non-urgent dental services cancelled
All non-essential and elective dental services at University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry clinics, including those provided at the Dunedin Dental School, are being cancelled.
Student Health staff to screen all patients
Student Health staff to screen all patients
From today, Student Health at the University of Otago will change the way it provides patient care in a bid to reduce the risk of staff and students being exposed to Covid-19.
$500K spent to transport patients
$500K spent to transport patients
Almost half a million dollars has been spent by the Southern District Health Board in the past year to transport neurosurgery patients from Dunedin to Christchurch.
Wanaka man confirmed as Southern Covid-19 case
Wanaka man confirmed as Southern Covid-19 case
The Ministry of Health have revealed the flight details of three Southern Covid-19 cases including for one in Wanaka which was not previously mentioned, taking the total number of cases in the Southern District up by one.
Medical centre says no to bureaucratic calls
Medical centre says no to bureaucratic calls
A Dunedin medical centre under ‘‘extreme pressure’’ is imploring people not to clog up primary care with bureaucracy.
Disruption to put pressure on mental health services
Disruption to put pressure on mental health services
Coronavrius-related disruption will also add to growing pressures on New Zealand’s mental health system, Corinda Taylor warns.
Hospital protection protocol under review
Hospital protection protocol under review
The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) will this week reconsider visiting hours among other precautions as it prepares for the possible arrival of Covid-19.
Govt issues guidance for aged care providers
Govt issues guidance for aged care providers
All aged care facilities have been ordered to have clear and prominent health warnings on display concerning Covid-19.
Public stealing bottles of hand sanitiser from SDHB
Public stealing bottles of hand sanitiser from SDHB
Security staff have seen people swiping bottles of hand sanitiser from Southern District Health Board facilities.
A pandemic’s terrible toll: 1000 killed in South in a few weeks
A pandemic’s terrible toll: 1000 killed in South in a few weeks
Health reporter Mike Houlahan looks at how Otago and Southland coped with a disease which killed about 1000 people in just a few weeks.
SDHB warns of coronavirus limitations
SDHB warns of coronavirus limitations
People need to be aware SDHB hospitals will have a limited capacity to deal with severe Covid-19 cases should the disease eventually begin circulating in the community, board chief medical officer Nigel Millar says.
Benefits of dedicated Saturday surgery list outlined
Benefits of dedicated Saturday surgery list outlined
A dedicated Saturday surgery list for patients requiring urgent care could also help the Southern District Health Board ensure it hits its elective surgery targets.
Physio pool future uncertain
Physio pool future uncertain
The future of Dunedin’s physiotherapy pool is still unclear, the Southern District Health Board was told at its monthly meeting in Invercargill yesterday.
SDHB chief presses need for change
SDHB chief presses need for change
High numbers of stranded patients and blockages in the flow of patients through SDHB's hospitals could be remedied if clinical leaders embraced the need for changes, board chief executive Chris Fleming says.
Oncology list a dilemma, SDHB told
Oncology list a dilemma, SDHB told
Letters telling southern people their wait for radiation oncology is longer than it should be are not being sent, as the health board tries to find words that will not distress patients further.
Grey Power board opposes HealthCare NZ restructuring proposal
Grey Power board opposes HealthCare NZ restructuring proposal
The Grey Power New Zealand Federation Board yesterday came out against proposed restructuring by HealthCare NZ, one of the country’s biggest providers, which could cut up to 200 jobs.
Dearth of midwives an ‘urgent’ problem
Dearth of midwives an ‘urgent’ problem
A critical shortage of independent midwives in Dunedin is having a detrimental effect on the health of mothers and babies, experienced midwives say.
Planning for potential cases well advanced in South
Planning for potential cases well advanced in South
Southern health planners are continuing to develop protocols and plans should a case of Covid-19 coronavirus occur in the region, medical officer of health Susan Jack says.
Queen Mary theatre to reopen
Queen Mary theatre to reopen
It is a case of back to the future for Queen Mary Maternity Centre, which is about to temporarily reopen one of its original theatres as part of a $1.6 million refurbishment.