Latest from Public Healthcare

Meningitis miss: Boy in hospital

A two-year-old Wellington boy severely brain damaged after a hospital twice failed to diagnose him, remains in hospital suffering from a chest infection.

Editorial: Flu jab rebels should get another job

It beggars belief that any nurses employed in public hospitals would be allowed to decline vaccinations against winter flu.

No jab, no job for nurses

Three Waikato Hospital nurses have been suspended for defying a controversial new policy forcing non-vaccinated workers to either get flu jabs or wear face masks.

Cannabis spray considered for public funding

A cannabis spray used to treat epilepsy, pain and multiple sclerosis will be considered for public funding next month.

Inspection following psychiatrist's alleged fraud

An inspection of Waikato District Health Board's mental health service has been announced following the arrest of a man working as a psychiatrist.

'Serious concerns' raised over alleged health worker fraud

The Minister for Health says he has serious concerns after a health board staffer working as a psychiatrist was fired and arrested for possible identity fraud.

Kiwis skip overseas for hospital treatment

Some Kiwis are travelling as far as India for operations, complaining of long waiting lists and high costs at home.

Kidney girl wants to be like other teens

All Priyashna Kumar wants to do is live a normal life and go to school like others her age.

DHB apologises for 'tragic events'

The family of a pensioner who died after being given a drug that her MedicAlert bracelet warned she was allergic to have welcomed a probe into her death.

Doctor failed spinal infection patient

A health board and one of its emergency doctors breached the code of patients’ rights in their care of a woman with a spinal infection.

Allergy death an isolated incident - Commission

Allergy death 'needless'

A pensioner died an "agonising and needless" death after hospital staff administered a drug that a MedicAlert bracelet she wore warned she was allergic to.

'How can a bulldozer driver make a leg?'

For Auckland amputee Diane Smith, it matters that the technicians who worked on her artificial leg included a former bulldozer driver.

Happy hospices could hold lesson for economy

The commercial mindset that measures well-being in terms of GDP can be insidious, writes Tim Hazledine. Even the welcome focus on reducing child poverty gets justified (by some) as an "investment" in more reliable future workers.

Cartoon: Pick up the ball and run

Warning after health files stolen

Private medical notes about 90 patients - including details of a woman suffering mental illness after childbirth - were stolen from a social worker's car.

Dita De Boni: Bottom line for mental health services

The most vulnerable are likely to suffer with the introduction of 'social bonds' for the private sector, writes Dita De Boni.

Abortion doc a phone call away

Women seeking an abortion are being offered easier access to the procedure with a free, national telephone consultation service that started this week.