Health

Despite progress on moves to save money on community care for the elderly, the Otago District Health Board still expects to be over budget in this area by $2.3 million this financial year.

Some patients scheduled to undergo day surgery requiring a general anaesthetic at Dunedin Hospital have been put off or sent to other hospitals due to a shortage of anaesthetists.

While Otago District Health Board has improved or maintained its performance in meeting the Government's six health targets, its ratings against other boards have slipped in two areas.

Rural hospital managers are not convinced by the Otago District Health Board's insistence that centralising health staff who co-ordinate community care packages for the elderly will improve service

Alexandra's new "one-stop-shop" medical centre should be completed before the end of this year.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has put district health boards (DHBs) on notice over waiting times for cancer treatment, despite his ministry being reasonably happy with its performance figures.

An Australian heroin addict who was refused a second liver transplant because of her continued drug use is unlikely to get another chance through the New Zealand public health service.

Only one of the 33 patients from the recent audit of referrals to Dunedin Hospital's colonoscopy service has sought a meeting with senior management so far.

The Government has added South Canterbury and surgical nursing to a list of regions and specialities open to health graduates under its voluntary bonding scheme.