Latest FromHealth and Disability Commissioner
![Severed thumb on ice for hours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Severed thumb on ice for hours
A man who severed part of his thumb in machinery had to wait eight hours for a hand specialist, who then told him it was too late to reattach it.
![Hospital investigated for ketamine](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Hospital investigated for ketamine
Dunedin Hospital is under investigation over the use of drugs in medical research without proper...
![The silent battle: Mum fights to ensure a future](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The silent battle: Mum fights to ensure a future
Abuse, neglect, disability care: words no one wants to see together. In 2006 a flurry of stories about appalling care sparked a Government inquiry. Despite steps to fix the problem, it's happening again.
![Oral health certificate recommended before teeth whitening](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Oral health certificate recommended before teeth whitening
People should get an oral health certificate from their dentist or dental specialist before getting their teeth whitened, the Health and Disability Commissioner says.
![Social worker ordered to pay patient $100k](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Social worker ordered to pay patient $100k
A social worker, who took about $55,000 worth of cash and gifts from a mentally ill patient, has been ordered to pay her $100,000 in damages.
![Health groups slammed over locking up of alcoholic](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Health groups slammed over locking up of alcoholic
A watchdog has slammed three organisations over the locking up of a alcoholic, 43, in a resthome for more than a year without proper legal authority.
![Woman dies after failed diagnosis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Woman dies after failed diagnosis
A grieving husband wants answers on how his wife died from meningococcal disease, despite repeatedly seeking medical help.
![Mentally ill killer's outings safe - Coleman](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Mentally ill killer's outings safe - Coleman
The Associate Health Minister says he is confident it is safe for a schizophrenic man who beat a friend to death to be out unescorted in public, despite the victim's brother's pleas.
![Mentally ill killer released on leave](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Mentally ill killer released on leave
A schizophrenic man who beat a friend to death after being released from psychiatric care - despite telling staff he wanted to kill someone - is allowed back into the community without supervision.
![$100,000 penalty for surgeon over death of bypass patient](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
$100,000 penalty for surgeon over death of bypass patient
A surgeon who has been the subject of several complaints about failing to properly inform patients has been ordered to pay more than $100,000 in fines and costs after the death of a patient.
![Suicide after text advice to stop medication](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Suicide after text advice to stop medication
A young man committed suicide after his counsellor told him by text message not to take his medication, provided he was undergoing regular counselling.