Stories by Rowan Quinn
News
Extra security for most high-risk hospital EDs almost halved
A series of assaults and pleas by staff had led to the initial funding of guards.
Private hospital opens in Auckland, others expand as public surgical centre sits empty
Demand for private care will keep growing in the face of public waiting lists, an expert says.
New surgeons head overseas because of lack of jobs
By the time they finish years of training, many are finding there are few jobs around.
Unused surgical centre could be treating 15,000 patients a year
It is madness to have eight operating theatres sitting empty in the face of huge surgical wait lists, doctor says.
Why a new $300m, 150-bed hospital building is still empty
A building the size of a provincial hospital is sitting empty on Auckland's North Shore and has no opening date. Audio
It's the corridor or the ambulance bay: ED bursting at seams
Every available space is being used, including procedure and plastering rooms. Audio
Psychologists fear rule changes will make it even harder to get help
Groups representing thousands of psychologists are rebelling against rule changes that many fear will make it even harder for patients to get help.
Small bump in Covid vaccine uptake, but still well below 2021 peak
An immunologist says many might be waiting for the funded flu vaccine, which is available from Tuesday.
RSV immunisation for babies: Doctors call for urgent access
Doctors are calling for urgent access to a new immunisation to protect babies from the dangerous RSV virus.
GP clinic heads to High Court to get data back from IT company
A small marae-based GP clinic is going to the High Court to try to get its data back from a medical IT company.
Ministry of Health job losses "cutting really deep" - union
Nearly 200 jobs are under threat from budget cuts - with some losses coming from redundancies and others from vacancies left unfilled.
Half of lung cancers not diagnosed until after ED admission
More than half of all lung cancers are not diagnosed until after an emergency department visit - when it is often too late, a new report by the Cancer Control Agency shows.
Pharmacists get all clear to vaccinate children under 5
Approval for the changes has been granted by Pharmac.
Te Whatu Ora slashes number of comms staff
Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ is slashing the number of communication staff it employs - but there will still be 125 of them.
'Not a toy': pigs' airgun injuries shock surgeons
The doctors - who often treat people with chest injuries caused by air rifles - are calling for tighter restrictions on their sale.
Doctors concerned as extra funding for security guards ends
The Health Minister says Health NZ can reprioritise funds now the extra money given as part of the governments 100 day plan has come to an end.
Vaccinators fear for their safety after their names were leaked
A nurse says she will be looking over her shoulder for years after her name was published on a US website.
Covid-19 wastewater levels rise for three weeks in a row
There has been a small sting in the tail of the Covid-19 Christmas wave, with an apparent rise in cases this month.
Thousands of NZ nurses register to work in Australia
More than 9000 New Zealand nurses have registered to work in Australia in the past 10 months - about 12 percent of the active workforce.
Vaccinators feel under threat after data leak
Vaccinators whose names were published on a US website after a Te Whatu Ora data leak are feeling nervous and under threat, says a nurses' union.
Bid to force14 councils to fluoridate heads back to court
The Health Ministry is appealing a High Court decision that found its order forcing 14 councils to fluoridate was unlawful.
Ministry's admission about handling of contracts for firm linked to Henare
The concession is a big shift from six months ago when the Ministry of Health said it was generally satisfied it had followed procedures.
World-first gene editing treatment life changing, patient says
Bev Tanner's entire body used to swell up during attacks from a rare disease. Not any more.
Significant measles outbreak almost certain to happen, public health expert says
"No expert I know says we're going to get through the next outbreak without seeing some tragic deaths of babies," says Otago University epidemiology professor Michael Baker.
60,000 waiting too long to see specialist - nearly double last year
The number of patients facing lengthy waits has doubled in some regions in a year.