Opportunity to refocus on health, says Professor
Opportunity to refocus on health, says Professor
The worldwide financial crisis could be the perfect opportunity for rethinking attitudes to global health, Emeritus Professor Robert Beaglehole says.
Health
Crutches make welcome if somewhat stealthy return
Crutches make welcome if somewhat stealthy return
The Otago District Health Board may be about $200 better off after at least nine pairs of crutches issued by Dunedin Hospital were returned yesterday following publicity about the high numbers of peripatetic crutches.
Therapy group to end
Therapy group to end
Some people associated with an Otago District Health Board-funded community occupational therapy workshop are upset at its planned closure and would like further investigation of alternatives, but hospital management says there is no money.
Crutches going walkabout
Crutches going walkabout
Only about half of the crutches issued by Dunedin Hospital are returned and it is costing the Otago District Health Board about $1500 a month to replace them.
Junior doctors seal the deal
Junior doctors seal the deal
Junior doctors have ratified the collective agreement negotiated with district health boards last month.
Babies sent to Dunedin for care
Babies sent to Dunedin for care
Babies from as far away as the North Island have been sent to Dunedin Hospital's newborn intensive-care unit this year, as other hospitals struggle with cot shortages for premature babies or those needing intensive care.
Cardiac boost unlikely to benefit South
Cardiac boost unlikely to benefit South
Otago and Southland are not likely to see much of the $50 million boost to public cardiac surgery announced yesterday because the region's heart surgery rates are well ahead of the rest of the country.
Cardiac deaths referred to commissioner
Cardiac deaths referred to commissioner
Relatives of the eight patients who died while waiting for heart surgery at Wellington Hospital have been told an independent report on care and treatment delays released today is not a probe of individual cases.
Capital DHB admits to unnecessary deaths
Capital DHB admits to unnecessary deaths
Eight people who died in 2006 and 2007 waiting for heart surgery at Wellington Hospital had avoidable delays in their care and treatment, the Health Ministry says.
Sperm and egg donors needed
Sperm and egg donors needed
The simple fact of life for the Otago Fertility Service is that it is desperately short of sperm and egg donors.
Penalty for board deficit 'bizarre', says MacPherson
Penalty for board deficit 'bizarre', says MacPherson
The Otago District Health Board could lose a further $1.4 million this year because it is in deficit, a situation board member Dr Malcolm Macpherson describes as the stupidest thing he has come across in his whole career.
Otago and Southland health boards share CEO
Otago and Southland health boards share CEO
Brian Rousseau's appointment yesterday as chief executive of the Otago and Southland health boards is a first for district health board management.
New system working well at medical centre
New system working well at medical centre
If Balclutha general practice were a patient two years ago, it would probably have been classed as terminal, and not given long to live.
Bone treatment questioned
Bone treatment questioned
When his wife rejected commonly prescribed medication after she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, it made Dunedin television producer and director Ross Johnston sit up and take notice.
Health savings prompt wider view
Health savings prompt wider view
Althoughthe Otago District Health Board expects to save more than $800,000 by buying equipment in conjunction with Southland, chairman Richard Thomson would like to see more progress on national buying.
Changes to aged-care recommended
Changes to aged-care recommended
Parliament's health select committee has made a range of recommendations about funding the aged-care workforce and improving quality of care.
Cannabis worse than stimulants for depression: study
Cannabis worse than stimulants for depression: study
Cannabis smokers are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety and psychosis than stimulant drug takers, according to Australian statistics suggesting the herb's toll on mental health has been underestimated.
Women warned of talcum powder danger
Women warned of talcum powder danger
Women have been warned to immediately stop using talcum powder around their genitals in the wake of research which suggests particles may travel to the ovaries and trigger a process of inflammation that allows cancer cells to flourish.
Spring clean will be first noticeable step
Spring clean will be first noticeable step
A spring clean in the emergency department will be the first noticeable step in a project which it is hoped will ultimately make Dunedin Hospital a much happier place for patients and staff.
Dunedin Hospital expects energy costs to fall $300,000
Dunedin Hospital expects energy costs to fall $300,000
Dunedin Hospital expects to save more than $300,000 a year by improving the efficiency of its lighting, heating, hot water and energy management.