SECTIONS

SDHB

QueenstownJune 9

Report finds improper accreditation procedure by SDHB

Failure by the Southern District Health Board to properly accredit a vaccination provider which administered potentially ineffective Covid-19 vaccinations might have been a blessing in disguise.
DunedinJune 8

SDHB meets for last time before restructure

Perhaps in keeping with its eventful history, the Southern District Health Board’s last meeting did not end smoothly.
SDHB meets for last time before restructure
SDHB meets for last time before restructure
DunedinJune 5

Covid and short-staffing hit surgery

A new report shows the magnitude of the ongoing impact Covid-19 and staff shortages are having on surgical services in the South.
Covid and short-staffing hit surgery
Covid and short-staffing hit surgery
DunedinMarch 31

Health board systems of concern

Parliament's health select committee has raised concerns about management controls at the Southern District Health Board, and in particular its financial and IT systems.
Health board systems of concern
Health board systems of concern
DunedinFebruary 17

SDHB still challenged in filling nursing gaps

The Southern District Health Board is still desperately trying to recruit new nurses, to cover both normal health care and to prepare for the expected impact of Covid-19.
SDHB still challenged in filling nursing gaps
SDHB still challenged in filling nursing gaps
DunedinJanuary 17

Gastroenteritis outbreak closes two wards

Two wards have been closed at Dunedin Hospital and infection and prevention-control measures are in place following a gastroenteritis outbreak.
DunedinJanuary 10

Hospital site ready for next stages

The big crane has left town and the diggers have been parked up where one day the new Dunedin Hospital will stand.
Hospital site ready for next stages
Hospital site ready for next stages
DunedinJanuary 2

Not all bad news for southern health in 2021

Covid-19 refused to go away, but the pandemic was far from the only reason the southern health system hit the headlines in 2021. Health reporter  Mike Houlahan looks back on the year that was.
Not all bad news for southern health in 2021
Not all bad news for southern health in 2021
DunedinDecember 27

Snowy to the rescue

The clip clop of tiny hooves is enough to make any child’s heart race at Christmas time.
Snowy to the rescue
Snowy to the rescue
DunedinDecember 10

Some hospital patients not getting data: survey

An unscientific survey of Dunedin Hospital patients suggests about a third may either not be properly informed of some details of their care or fail to understand what they are told.
DunedinOctober 31

Aged-care nurses in short supply

A chronic shortage of aged residential care nurses in the South is showing no signs of easing.
DunedinOctober 31

SDHB’s Sept deficit doubles

Covid-19 continues to be a major drain on the Southern District Health Board’s finances, despite it having received an unbudgeted $7million towards its vaccination programme.
DunedinOctober 7

Wait list honesty needed: DHB head

More than 400 Southerners have waited more than a year for an elective procedure and many others have lingered more than the expected four months on the waiting list.
Wait list honesty needed: DHB head
Wait list honesty needed: DHB head
DunedinSeptember 5

Cancer waiting list reduction at risk

The Southern District Health Board has finally made some progress in reducing record waiting lists for radiation oncology treatment, but it fears the Covid-19 lockdown will stall that momentum.
DunedinAugust 15

Determination for change in mental health sector

Southern mental health services have been subject to a second in-depth investigation in the past three years - a review which everyone hopes will ease the strain on a sector under severe pressure.
Determination for change in mental health sector
Determination for change in mental health sector
DunedinJuly 8

Frustration, low morale at SDHB, review says

Southern District Health Board staff have low morale and feel unaware of the direction the organisation is heading, a scathing confidential review of the board says.
DunedinMay 27

Breast cancer treatment trial may be implemented by SDHB

A breast cancer treatment trial which has achieved significant success in the North Island may be implemented by the Southern District Health Board.
DunedinMay 20

Air quality work urged

The Southern District Health Board has urged the Otago Regional Council to reconsider the proposed pause of its air quality work.
Air quality work urged
Air quality work urged
DunedinApril 11

Departing SDHB executive: 'I have learnt so much'

Lisa Gestro has been at the heart of some of the Southern District Health Board’s most controversial and most challenging moments in the past three years.
Departing SDHB executive: 'I have learnt so much'
Departing SDHB executive: 'I have learnt so much'
SouthlandMay 10

Limited colonoscopy access slammed

A claim of "inter-service warfare" has emerged in a damning review of Southland access to Southern District Health Board's colonoscopy service.
Limited colonoscopy access slammed
Limited colonoscopy access slammed
SouthlandMay 10

Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted

Auditors reviewing cases over concerns about colonoscopy access through the Southern District Health Board limited their review because it was taking too long to get complete clinical records.
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
DunedinMay 31

No union position on offer for nurses

Nurses will make up their own minds whether to accept a pay offer from district health boards, without direction from their union.
No union position on offer for nurses
No union position on offer for nurses
DunedinMay 31

SDHB holds back maternity plan

The Southern District Health Board has delayed the release of its revised maternity system proposal again.
SDHB holds back maternity plan
SDHB holds back maternity plan
DunedinDecember 4

Disgraced Waikato boss claimed DHB merger credit

Disgraced former health boss Nigel Murray is claiming the credit for merging the Otago and Southland health boards, despite the amalgamation happening after he had moved on.
Disgraced Waikato boss claimed DHB merger credit
Disgraced Waikato boss claimed DHB merger credit
OpinionNovember 21

'Get back to basics and do the medicine'

The planning and implementation of the urology super-clinic at Dunedin Hospital should be a lesson to those at the top, writes Calvin Oaten.
'Get back to basics and do the medicine'
'Get back to basics and do the medicine'