Health

Reaction by general practitioners to the outcome of the recent audit report of 33 referrals to Dunedin Hospital colonoscopy service has been positive, South Link Health executive director Prof Mu

Otago District Health Board may be penalised for doing elective surgery for other boards but doing less than planned for its own patients, hospital advisory committee chairman Richard Thomson sa

A high proportion of single strain swine flu vaccines targeted at high-risk groups in Otago and Southland will most likely not be needed, Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Marion Poo

The general issue of unfunded treatments being provided in public hospitals should be considered nationally through a considered rigorous process, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists sa

In another move to cut spending on the elderly in Otago and Southland, people referred to rest-homes in future will be "stood down" for about six months to see if they can be supported at home.