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A union says workforce shortages are a nationwide problem and aren't being addressed. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Cardiology crisis: DHB told heart patients 'consider private'

23 Feb, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A leaked memo outlined year-long wait times. The DHB told patients: consider private.

Access to vision-saving treatment can depend on where you live. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

It's a common ailment: Until now, your healthcare depended on where you live

21 Feb, 2020 5:18am
4 minutes to read

Where you live can determine whether you can get cataract surgery and other treatment.

Managers at Middlemore Hospital (above) say waiting times for breast cancer diagnosis are too long. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Breast cancer crisis: Women forced to wait despite risk

19 Feb, 2020 7:05pm
4 minutes to read

Counties Manukau DHB has raised the threshold for breast cancer treatment.

The famous view from Dumbo, Brooklyn, of the Manhattan Bridge and the Empire State Building. Photo / NYC and Company

TRAVEL

A day in Brooklyn: History, hipsters and cookie dough

19 Feb, 2020 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Taking a walking tour of Brooklyn gives a glimpse of how much the area has changed.

Māori Party president Che Wilson says the delays show 'structural racism' in the health system. Photo / Daisy Hudson

NEW ZEALAND

Delay over bowel cancer screening decision 'costing lives'

17 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

"People are dying. It's not something where we are just talking about as a theory."

Gloria Palu, 8 holds a framed photo of herself with sister Lagia Palu, 5 (right in photo) who died of measles. Photo / Mike Scott

NEW ZEALAND

'Too many babies have been lost': Samoans rally together after measles epidemic

9 Feb, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

New Zealand and Samoa "learnt a hard lesson last year" when the measles epidemic hit.

EJ, left, and Aso sit on the grave of their 9-month old cousin Taugata Launiu who died of measles. Photo / Mike Scott

NEW ZEALAND

'A different terror': Tracing Samoa's measles pain back to NZ

8 Feb, 2020 5:00am
14 minutes to read

Government inaction on measles led to a catastrophe that savaged the Pacific nation.

Laina Palu, along with children of her village, sit next to the grave of her daughter Lagia Palu who died during the measles epidemic. Photo / Mike Scott

NEW ZEALAND

Government inaction left door open to measles outbreak - report

8 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Measles outbreak could have been avoided, a damning Ministry of Health report reveals.

A black bear walks through seaweed covered rocks at low tide in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island. Photo / Tom Ryan, Destination BC

TRAVEL

Canada: Where the wild things are

4 Feb, 2020 7:00am
7 minutes to read

On the trail of whales, bears, and bald eagles in British Columbia's natural paradise.

NEW ZEALAND

Children at risk while DHB can't fill mental health positions

2 Feb, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

National shortage of mental health specialists curbs youth services.

Helen and Richard Wickens are fighting to get the care they are entitled to. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

NEW ZEALAND

'Life is tough': When home carer 'lifeline' fails

1 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

"The mismanagement in the system is absolutely horrendous," Grey Power says.

Set in a lovingly-restored heritage building in the Comox Valley, Locals makes fresh regional produce the star of its dishes. Photo / Facebook, @LocalsFoodFromTheHeartOfTheIsland

LIFESTYLE

Destination Dining: Locals Restaurant, Vancouver Island

20 Jan, 2020 7:00am
2 minutes to read

Nicholas Jones is well fed in Courtenay, Vancouver

NEW ZEALAND

Old hospitals leave patients and staff in pain

18 Jan, 2020 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Risks identified include "extreme" age of buildings that aren't fit for purpose.

Women's health services are struggling to meet demand in Counties Manukau. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

'Major risk': Rundown hospitals need $14 billion fix

18 Jan, 2020 5:00am
17 minutes to read

Most DHBs have listed major infrastructure problems as a risk to patients and staff.

NEW ZEALAND

IRD 'like loan sharks': Student loan defaulter trapped in British exile

16 Jan, 2020 1:00pm
5 minutes to read

"They were really like loan sharks, like Repo men in their approach."

NEW ZEALAND

She returned to NZ for her sick mum. She was arrested at the airport over her student debt

16 Jan, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The Herald has been told the woman spent a night in police custody.

The Diabetes Trust says the Pharmac proposal would greatly and unfairly restrict the 'life-saving' drugs. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

The new drugs that could extend the lives of 120,000 Kiwis

16 Jan, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Pharmac is considering new medicines for type 2 diabetics.

Better diabetes drugs will benefit tens of thousands of people. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Pharmac to fund better diabetes drugs

15 Jan, 2020 5:16pm
4 minutes to read

New Zealand has had the worst range of funded diabetes drugs in the developed world.

The stranding happened early this morning. Photo / Megan Norcross

NEW ZEALAND

Amazing scenes as hundreds flock to save stranded whales

4 Jan, 2020 10:03am
3 minutes to read

A pod of whales have stranded in the Coromandel.

Holiday traffic will near a peak tomorrow, and be heavy today. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Holiday traffic chaos: The best and worst times to travel home this weekend

4 Jan, 2020 9:49am
4 minutes to read

Data from last summer indicates when the roads will be most congested.

Jan McLeod had her cataracts removed after a charity stepped in. Her DHB had declined surgery. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Best of 2019: Getting cataract surgery depends on postcode: 'It's scary and worrying'

4 Jan, 2020 9:00am
5 minutes to read

Getting cataract surgery depends on where you live, a Herald investigation has found.

New guidelines have sparked debate about the health benefits of meat and dairy. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Hospitals' meat-free drive 'beggars belief'

4 Jan, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Guidelines for the health sector include a recommendation to reduce meat and dairy.

NEW ZEALAND

When can a child go against parents' wishes on vaccinations?

23 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A DHB chair says such questions should be grappled with to counter the anti-vaxx movement.

A dotterel chick that recently hatched on Auckland's Karekare Beach. Photo / Adrian Riegen

NEW ZEALAND

Dotterel chicks in uphill battle

22 Dec, 2019 11:21am
3 minutes to read

Beachgoers, dog owners being urged to take care around dotterel chicks at city beaches.

Wastewater discharge has led to a rahui being placed on Wellington harbour. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Swimming ban: Sewage keeps flowing into Wellington harbour

21 Dec, 2019 2:59pm
2 minutes to read

Local iwi have placed a rāhui on the entire Wellington harbour.

The problems have affected inter-hospital and pre-emergency transfer availability in Auckland and Northland. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Air-ambulance transfers unavailable for days

21 Dec, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

DHB chief executives warned patients could come to harm, documents reveal.

National's health spokesman Michael Woodhouse supports targeted cancer screening. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Drop bowel cancer screening age: Nats

17 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The Ministry of Health is considering the change but no decision has been made.

Aroha Andrew suffered burns to up to 68 per cent of her body in the house fire. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Surviving severe burns: 'I couldn't move'

12 Dec, 2019 8:35pm
4 minutes to read

Aroha Andrew says her heart breaks for the Whakaari/White Island victims.

Burns victims have been flown to hospitals around the country. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

White Island: Inside a burns unit

11 Dec, 2019 6:15pm
3 minutes to read

"You are prepared. But when it does happen you still can't quite believe it."

An Air Canada Q400 plane. Photo / Supplied

TRAVEL

What to expect from an Air Canada flight

10 Dec, 2019 4:57pm
2 minutes to read

Air Canada flies direct from Auckland from Dec 14. What can we expect from the airline?

Auckland DHB recently initiated a project to try ease pressure on the mental health unit. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Acute mental health unit overwhelmed, patients discharged too quickly

7 Dec, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Staff reported "spending too much time fire fighting" and "no time for triage".

Changes have been made after the mishaps. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Preschooler's teeth removed after delay

4 Dec, 2019 11:09am
4 minutes to read

Apologies have been given after the serious adverse events.

NEW ZEALAND

Early bowel-cancer checks urged

4 Dec, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The Ministry of Health has come under pressure to act.

Broadcaster Jenny-May Clarkson says the profound impact of her brother's cancer sent ripples through her family. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

TV star's heartbreak over brother's bowel cancer death

23 Nov, 2019 5:00am
9 minutes to read

"He fought to the end. It was a privilege to hold his hand, to tell him it was okay."

Professor Grant Schofield says the lack of meaningful action is dispiriting. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Obesity efforts slammed: 'negligence'

16 Nov, 2019 3:56pm
4 minutes to read

Expert shocked that Labour 'lagging' on improving health of the nation.

Krystina Richardson believes the stress of the situation contributed to her mother ending up in Tauranga Hospital. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

74yo woman left in tears: Rest home wanted 122% price hike

16 Nov, 2019 3:22pm
4 minutes to read

A rest home resident prepared to move out of her room because of the charges.

How unhealthy food and drink is marketed to children is a focus of the recommendations. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Junk food ads to be banned from around schools

16 Nov, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

What adverts children see when on YouTube and social media is also a focus.

The oysters were the highlight of the seafood buffet at the Sheraton Grand Sydney. Photo / Instagram

LIFESTYLE

Is this the best seafood buffet in Sydney?

11 Nov, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

The Sheraton Grand's signature restaurant offers an award-winning seafood buffet.

The Ministry of Health says it is taking action to reduce diabetic amputations. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Losing limbs: Why are so many Kiwis needing amputations?

11 Nov, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The Associate Health Minister wants a major health campaign around diabetes.

Health workers want people to consider how they'd like to spend the last few years of life. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Death flowchart: If you were going to die, would you want to know?

7 Nov, 2019 10:38am
11 minutes to read

If you were going to die in the near future, would you want to know?

NEW ZEALAND

Access denied: Thousands self-represent in court due to cost

4 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Figures released by the Ministry of Justice show the size of the worrying trend.

Counties Manukau DHB has the most obese patients in the country. Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Fat chance of help: Patients too obese for MRI machines, needles

2 Nov, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Counties Manukau DHB wants the Government to crack down on junk food and drink.

The horrifying case will likely lead to stronger calls for reform of the sector. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Rest home neglect: Woman dies after being left with maggots in wounds

21 Oct, 2019 2:30pm
4 minutes to read

Maggots were found in two wound sites.

Robert Love holds a picture of his late mother who suffered from failings during her care in a rest home. Photo / John Borren

BUSINESS

Rest home case: 'You can game system'

21 Oct, 2019 2:00pm
4 minutes to read

The report was called "astonishing" and "deeply flawed".

New details about rest home complaints have been obtained by the Herald on Sunday. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Rest-home shame: Resident breaks wrist in rough handling

13 Oct, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

New details about complaints made to DHBs show list of failings.

Northland DHB approached the person's embassy and Immigration NZ. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Bad debt: Massive hospital bill wiped after visa overstayed

12 Oct, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The elderly patient had no income to pay the whopping bill.

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare says diabetes

NEW ZEALAND

'Wants to hike your grocery bill': National go on attack over sugar tax

9 Oct, 2019 4:23pm
4 minutes to read

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare says a tax should be "part of the consideration".

NEW ZEALAND

Exclusive: Crackdown on junk food, drink to 'turn tide' on diabetes

9 Oct, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

New figures show diabetes now causes more than 1000 amputations a year in NZ.

Hayley Colling, 30, has had three surgeries in the past few years, including a hysterectomy. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

'We can't live': Suffering patients plead for help

6 Oct, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Middlemore Hospital delays are leaving women suffering from endometriosis in daily pain.

NEW ZEALAND

Women left in pain, doctor says 'we don't have enough' to help

5 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

"I would be throwing up all the time. I would get migraines. I couldn't eat for days."

Grey Power says the Labour-led Government has broken promises for aged care reform. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Rest home horror: Residents 'threatened, left on floor'

29 Sep, 2019 6:00am
6 minutes to read

Complaints made to DHBs include disturbing claims, including physical abuse.

Auckland City Hospital maternity services are struggling with demand. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland DHB maternity shakeup?

26 Sep, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Changes would mostly affect women on the North Shore and in West and South Auckland.

Middlemore has opened an extra maternity ward to help ease pressure. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

'We don't have enough' - hospital begs for help as it turns away patients

6 Sep, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Women declined treatment: "We know we can help with surgery, but we don't have capacity."

Northland DHB is soon to sign off a position statement on institutional racism. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Racism a reason for poor health, warns health board

1 Sep, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

"As an institution we fitted the definitions which described racism."

Counties Manukau has hired more maternity service staff after a damning review last September. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Exclusive: DHB inquiry after unborn baby dies

25 Aug, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Two investigations into possible "serious adverse events" are ongoing.

The rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria could kill 10 million people a year by 2050, the WHO says. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

'Illness, disability and death': Warning about superbugs in confidential report

24 Aug, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

A confidential report has outlined the huge threat of superbugs to Kiwi patients.

The public will soon get more information about charges for so-called premium rest home rooms. Photo / 123rf.com

BUSINESS

DHBs take action over controversial rest home costs

19 Aug, 2019 11:00am
5 minutes to read

Weekly charges for the premium rooms can be in the hundreds of dollars.

The Coroner finding was released last week. File photo / Bradley Ambrose

NEW ZEALAND

Baby death tragedy: Experts slam Coroner's alcohol and breastfeeding link

13 Aug, 2019 4:56pm
5 minutes to read

A Coroner linked a baby's death to the fact her mother drank before breastfeeding.

Auckland City Hospital can be 100 carparks short during busy times. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Hospital car park squeeze: $88,000 per space

13 Aug, 2019 9:53am
3 minutes to read

Building 500 more spaces would cost around $44 million, the DHB says.

Police are investigating after $3 million of cocaine wrapped in plastic washed up on Bethells Beach. Photograph supplied by NZ Police

NEW ZEALAND

$3m cocaine find on beach - more could wash up: police

8 Aug, 2019 10:20am
2 minutes to read

A large amount of cocaine has washed up on a West Auckland beach

Counties Manukau DHB has managed to reduce diabetes-related amputations, but the disease puts increasing pressure on services. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

NEW ZEALAND

Diabetes: 'the middle of the epidemic'

31 Jul, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

"It's already got worse - we are now in the middle of the epidemic."

Accessing healthcare can further disadvantage Māori, a top watchdog says. Photo / 123rf.com

NEW ZEALAND

Urgent need for action: Racism in health 'killing and harming Māori'

29 Jul, 2019 9:00am
5 minutes to read

A top health watchdog has called for the health sector to take action.