Latest from Health and Disability Commissioner

Cancer patient loses lung after surgeon botches tumour removal

Now he has cancer in his remaining lung which can't be operated on due to only having one.

'Terrible pain': Woman left in agony after dentist puts crown on wrong tooth

The previously 'perfectly healthy' tooth later required a root canal.

Woman dies of sepsis from a perforation during surgery to remove cancer

Patient was admitted to hospital after the procedure and treated for pancreatitis.

Christian counsellor told abused teen she had 'soul ties' to her rapist

Multiple criticisms made of faith-based residential facility with oppressive rules.

Therapist told to apologise and get mentor after woman’s distressing massage

He touched the woman inappropriately and asked her personal questions.

Doctor faulted following woman’s death days after Covid vaccination

A GP at an urgent care clinic failed to provide the unwell woman with appropriate care.

Exclusive: Death of two women during pregnancy among NZ maternity system's harm cases

The Herald has obtained details of major harm and death events in the maternity system.

‘I gave birth to her and I lost her’: Ambulance delays haunt grieving mother

Calls for 100% Government funding of ambulance services amid rising complaints and delays.

Skilled engineer devastated as son's autism quashes NZ residency bid

Cost of care for autistic boy highlighted in a letter from Immigration.

Man died within two days of being sent home from hospital without oxygen

The much-loved husband and father was rushed back to hospital but died there.

Junior doctor failed to check if woman was pregnant before inserting contraceptive device

The woman found out she was pregnant at 20 weeks when she felt movement in her abdomen.

Support worker verbally abused and spat on disabled woman in his care

The worker has been ordered to apologise to his victim.

'Unacceptable': Man dies after hospital keeps him sitting in ED for hours, loses notes, fails to order scan

The doctor felt 'very overwhelmed' during an exceptionally busy night in ED.

Health watchdog apologises to surgeon's former lover after ignoring complaint

Philip Polkinghorne's lover said she was 'snubbed'.

'Tragic events': Man at risk of self harm taken home by social workers, then took his own life

Social workers overlooked critical information after getting limited handover from police.

'Systems weaknesses': Intimate patient procedures carried out by students, trainees

The report pointed towards weaknesses in the system across the country.

'Deep impact': Middlemore Hospital announces changes after man's death in overcrowded ED

Tony Knott collapsed and died in the toilet at Middlemore Hospital's ED waiting room.

Man dies as wife drives him to hospital after St John fails to send ambulance

He was suffering 'classic heart attack symptoms' but an ambulance was not dispatched.