SUBSCRIBER
Alarm over mental health field staffing
Mental healthcare for older people in the South is ‘‘dangerously under-resourced’’ at a time when demand is at its highest, a senior clinician says.
SUBSCRIBER
Vacancy rates load stress on doctors after hiring bungle
SUBSCRIBER
Vacancy rates load stress on doctors after hiring bungle
Stressed senior doctors in the South are dealing with sky-high vacancy rates which they blame on Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand (HNZ) bungling the rollout of a new recruitment system.
SUBSCRIBER
Funding, staffing risks at new hospital flagged
SUBSCRIBER
Funding, staffing risks at new hospital flagged
The five-year delay between the opening of the new Dunedin hospital’s outpatient building and the inpatient building will lead to many staffing and operational issues, a bombshell govt report says.
SUBSCRIBER
Govt review of hospital pathology ‘broadly positive’
SUBSCRIBER
Govt review of hospital pathology ‘broadly positive’
A wide-ranging review of the country’s pathology services will include looking at how best to serve Dunedin, the government’s health body says.
SUBSCRIBER
HNZ lambasted for not firming up new hospital lab solution
SUBSCRIBER
HNZ lambasted for not firming up new hospital lab solution
The government is researching how to deliver pathology services throughout the country, as Dunedin waits on the future of its pathology department.
SUBSCRIBER
Contract sharing concerns Treasury
SUBSCRIBER
Contract sharing concerns Treasury
A new contract-sharing arrangement between the government and Australian construction giant CPB for the new Dunedin hospital had boffins at the Treasury worried about the risks.
SUBSCRIBER
Support for foundation heartfelt
SUBSCRIBER
Support for foundation heartfelt
Out of nowhere, lying in bed, Karen Broad’s heart started to "race and flutter" again.
Hospice changes alongside region for 40 years
Hospice changes alongside region for 40 years
Otago Community Hospice is about to celebrate 40 years of working in palliative care and it is showing no signs of slowing down.
Use of opioids rising in Otago, survey finds
Use of opioids rising in Otago, survey finds
The use of opioids in the Otago region is climbing according to the latest survey of drugs in the workplace, although cannabis remains far and away the region’s illicit drug of choice.
SUBSCRIBER
Probe into Te Kaika widened by govt
SUBSCRIBER
Probe into Te Kaika widened by govt
A government probe into under-fire charity Te Kāika is more wide-ranging than previously known, the Otago Daily Times can now reveal.
SUBSCRIBER
Takeover could lead to instability: Powell
SUBSCRIBER
Takeover could lead to instability: Powell
A private equity takeover of Dunedin’s Mercy Hospital could lead to a period of instability at the top, a health commentator warns.
SUBSCRIBER
'Advanced' talks to sell Mercy Hospital
SUBSCRIBER
'Advanced' talks to sell Mercy Hospital
Otago's biggest private hospital is up for sale, and discussions with a potential buyer are said to be ‘‘advanced’’.
Plea made for more dementia facilities
Plea made for more dementia facilities
A Wānaka man caring for his wife, who has dementia, wants the govt to explain what it plans to do about the "desperate shortage" of dementia-level care facilities in southern regions.
Dunedin family awaits crucial drug decision
Dunedin family awaits crucial drug decision
A nervous two-month wait is on the cards for the Dunedin parents of a 18-month-old with cystic fibrosis, as they decide whether to stay or go for the child’s health.
SUBSCRIBER
Build makes list of over-budget projects
SUBSCRIBER
Build makes list of over-budget projects
The almost complete new Dunedin hospital outpatient building is one of the government’s most over-budget projects.
SUBSCRIBER
‘Enshittification’ seen in health reforms
SUBSCRIBER
‘Enshittification’ seen in health reforms
A Dunedin pharmacist is concerned about the ‘‘enshittification’’ of NZ's healthcare system, which is slowly dissolving services to people and increasingly serving ‘‘scale, profit and efficiency’’ instead.
SUBSCRIBER
Med school’s high risk no surprise: Hernandez
SUBSCRIBER
Med school’s high risk no surprise: Hernandez
An opposition MP says he is not surprised the controversial Waikato medical school project has been classed as ‘‘high risk’’ by the government’s financial advisers.
SUBSCRIBER
Rise in stabbings and gunshot wounds in South
SUBSCRIBER
Rise in stabbings and gunshot wounds in South
A rise in stabbing and gunshot wounds in the South has contributed to a ‘‘record’’ demand for ambulances and paramedics.
SUBSCRIBER
Dementia patients' forced shift 'appalling’
SUBSCRIBER
Dementia patients' forced shift 'appalling’
A desperate lack of dementia beds in Dunedin has resulted in the "appalling" situation of patients being shipped out of the city.
SUBSCRIBER
Support to taper off medication
SUBSCRIBER
Support to taper off medication
Going cold turkey on long-term medications — particularly antidepressants and antipsychotics — can leave some people with flu-like symptoms