Nelson health budget blowout

Nelson health authorities expect an overall budget blowout of $800,000 for the financial year that ended yesterday, after predicting a break-even result for the year.

Smell closes Plunket The Plunket rooms in Nelson have been closed temporarily after the smell of decaying rats attracted a swarm of blowflies.

"We had to take some action," said Nelson Marlborough area counsellor Annette Marshall. "We can't run a health service with a hygiene issue. It's just not acceptable."

Plunket staff had contacted the Public Health Service and Nelson City Council environmental health officers about the problem in the rented building.