Stories by Karen Brown
News
Get flu vaccine early this year, experts say
The latest version of the flu vaccine has arrived in the country from Europe and experts are encouraging people to have their annual flu jab early.
Medicinal Cannabis Bill prompts calls for broader allowances
MPs have been urged today to provide wider legal protection for medicinal cannabis use than is currently proposed.
Lives being saved already by bowel screening
About eight lives have already been saved in Hutt Valley and Wairarapa by bowel screening, according to experts.
DHB staff intimidated by Nigel Murray - report
Some Waikato health board staff felt intimidated by former chief executive Nigel Murray, and those who confronted him over his spending showed real courage.
Ministry had been warned of bowel screening botch-up
The Ministry of Health was warned four years ago about a risk that people would unknowingly miss out on a bowel cancer screening programme, but did little about it until late last year.
Couple "shocked" midwife left before stillbirth
A mother who was left to give birth to her stillborn baby without her midwife present has had her complaint upheld.
Doctors push to reduce wait time for mental health patients
Emergency doctors are calling for major improvements to the care of those with acute mental and behavioural conditions.
Australia ahead of NZ in cancer survival rates
The Cancer Society says 2500 more New Zealanders would have survived cancer if they had lived in Australia.
Infection warning for open-heart surgery patients with implant
Thousands of patients who've had open-heart surgery and a device implanted over the past four years are being told to look out for signs of infection.
Six-year-old boy left blind in one eye after lazy eye diagnosis
A boy was left blind in one eye about a year after an optometrist diagnosed lazy eye and prescribed glasses.
Face masks for fighting flu under review at Waikato DHB
Waikato District Health Board could drop a contentious policy requiring un-immunised staff to wear a mask when treating patients.
Govt unveils medicinal cannabis legislation
Terminally ill people who possess and use illicit cannabis will be protected from prosecution under legislation introduced today.
Departing DHB head: 'We have to be super-efficient'
The departing head of Wellington's deeply-indebted district health board says tight funding has forced it to become highly efficient.
Auckland researchers make Huntington's breakthrough
Auckland researchers believe they have found one of the changes in the brain that results in Huntington's Disease. Video, Audio
Medical trial reveals Herceptin survival rate
Women taking the breast cancer drug Herceptin have similar survival rates regardless of whether they take it for nine weeks or a year, a study has revealed.
Health Minister David Clark on director-general's resignation
The Health Minister told Morning Report that Chai Chuah had decided it was time for new ideas and leadership. Audio
Organ donor: "I will receive 100% of my loss of earnings"
People who are willing and able to donate a kidney or part of a liver will receive financial help from tomorrow.
Doctor criticised over baby's death
A twin baby who died during birth should have been delivered urgently, a report has found.
Audit reveals extent of former DHB boss' travel spend
Former Waikato DHB chief executive Nigel Murray used public funds for personal trips, embarked on international trips while on sick leave and tried to cover up breaches, a damning audit says. Audio
Third of senior doctors admit being bullied - report
More than a third of senior doctors and dentists working in public health say they've been bullied at work, and two-thirds have seen others being bullied. Audio
Waikato DHB withholds draft audit report
An report due to be released today into former chief executive Nigel Murray at Waikato DHB is a draft and needs more work before being published, the DHB says.
Pharmac replenishes in-demand HPV vaccine
Drug buyer Pharmac is reassuring the public that supplies of the Gardasil vaccine will be replenished today.
Waikato DHB refuses to release spending report
The former Waikato District Health Board chief, who resigned amid a spending controversy, racked up $218,000 in expenses during his three years at the DHB.
Patients call for better Crohn's disease treatment
Patients and their doctors are calling for better care for a hidden but debilitating condition that hits young people and extremely hard.
New minister may ask DHB heads for resignation letters
Health Minister David Clark wants to be assured district health board chairs are "on the same wavelength" as the government.