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.
SDHB
Cancer waiting list reduction at risk
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.
Determination for change in mental health sector
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.
Frustration, low morale at SDHB, review says
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.
Breast cancer treatment trial may be implemented by SDHB
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.
Air quality work urged
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.
Departing SDHB executive: 'I have learnt so much'
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.
Colonoscopy concerns: Review restricted
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.
Limited colonoscopy access slammed
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.
SDHB holds back maternity plan
SDHB holds back maternity plan
The Southern District Health Board has delayed the release of its revised maternity system proposal again.
No union position on offer for nurses
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.
Disgraced Waikato boss claimed DHB merger credit
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.
'Get back to basics and do the medicine'
'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.
Medical schools jolted into action
Medical schools jolted into action
The bid by Waikato District Health Board and Waikato University for a medical school has greatly perturbed Otago and Auckland universities, writes Eileen Goodwin.
Heatly resigns as health board boss
Heatly resigns as health board boss
Southern District Health Board chief executive Carole Heatly has resigned from the embattled organisation.
Fish cakes may be off children's menu
Fish cakes may be off children's menu
The Compass Group is considering removing fish cakes from the children's menu after a toddler found a 2cm bone embedded in a fish cake at Dunedin Hospital.
Freezer breakdown puts focus on Compass: Union
Freezer breakdown puts focus on Compass: Union
A freezer breakdown at Southland Hospital highlights the vulnerability of the new Compass Group food model, E tu union industry co-ordinator Jill Ovens says.
Orthopaedic registrars' workload 'too much'
Orthopaedic registrars' workload 'too much'
Registrars in Dunedin Hospital's orthopaedic unit are under pressure, and patients could be put at risk because of ‘‘tired'' doctors, the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association says.
‘Culture' at heart of SDHB strategy
‘Culture' at heart of SDHB strategy
There is a misconception about the Southern District Health Board's patient feedback sessions and the board's long-term task, Commissioner Kathy Grant and the Commissioner Team write.
Risk of 'two-tier' health system
Risk of 'two-tier' health system
A popular offshore buyers' club for new-generation hepatitis C drugs is setting up a ‘‘two-tier'' health system and the worst-affected patients could miss out, a Dunedin specialist says.