Latest from Public Healthcare

Hospital sends woman home with broken back
A woman discharged from North Shore Hospital discovered nine days later that she had a broken back.

Surgeon told off for abusing fat patient
A surgeon has been reprimanded for swearing at a severely obese patient and for punishing her by removing her from a waiting list.

Racism claim over contract move
Health officials are being accused of racism for deciding to transfer a mental health contract for Pacific people from Mangere's bankrupt Pacificare Trust to a mainstream agency.

Outdoor smoking ban too 'nanny state' - PM
A proposal to ban smoking at beaches and other public places doesn't have the support of John Key, who thinks it is too "nanny state".

Super-clinics plan in big health shake-up
Primary health services are set to undergo a big shake-up with some hospital services shifting into the community to create new super-clinics.

Eighteen days to unravel a death
Chris Barton was at the inquest into a harrowing story of youth suicide.

Ban smoking from beaches, health officials ask
Health officials tackling Maori smoking want new measures to ban the habit at beaches, playgrounds, bus stops and other areas.

Hospitals propose preferential treatment
Two DHBs propose to offer public hospital patients the option of paying for treatment that is not funded by the public health system.

Sea slug study can't find cash
Toxic sea slugs could be living in the waters around New Zealand but money to study them is proving harder to find than the slugs themselves.

Addiction fears trigger bid to control painkillers
Public access to a widely-used class of painkillers containing codeine is likely to be restricted within months over addiction fears.