Latest fromHealth and Disability Commissioner
'Deep impact': Middlemore Hospital announces changes after man's death in overcrowded ED
Tony Knott collapsed and died in the toilet at Middlemore Hospital's ED waiting room.
Man dies as wife drives him to hospital after St John fails to send ambulance
He was suffering 'classic heart attack symptoms' but an ambulance was not dispatched.
Client 'used as a punching bag' - residential care service shut down
A manager said a carer 'should never have been employed' at the service, now closed.
Woman dies from aorta tear after being sent home from ED with indigestion medication
A doctor ruled out her shortness of breath and chest pain as being cardiac-related.
Pharmacy blunder: Mother in shock after her 2-year-old's close call
She almost gave her child five times more liquid steroid than prescribed.
Counsellor exploited clients, sent them photos of her boob job
One client felt she was paying $120 an hour to spend time with her friend.
Baby stopped breathing after pharmacist failed to check 'reckless' steroid dose
The pharmacist made the medicine five times stronger than it should have been.
Healthline advised man to self-care, hours later he was dead
The man, who had an aortic dissection, was wrongly advised to care for himself at home.
Kiwis importing hearing aids to avoid prohibitive local costs
Carolyn Cooper warns that untreated hearing loss increases the risk of dementia.
‘I think I am going to die’: Adrenaline incorrectly administered sends patient into cardiac arrest
An ambulance had been called to the woman who was experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
The penalty for misusing disability car parks will increase from $150 to $750
The Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston says misusing car parks for disabled people is the “epitome of arrogance” and the penalty will rise from $150 to $750.
Man died after junior doctor botched chest drain procedure
The patient did not provide informed consent for the doctor to perform the procedure.
Pharmac asked to consider stopping long-term subsidy of antibiotics after man’s death
No one warned the man of the risk of taking nitrofurontoin for more than six months.
Surgery denied: Mum with painful endometriosis told she's too young for hysterectomy
The HDC has found the doctor was 'unduly influenced by his own views' regarding her care.
Woman’s 'meticulously' planned suicide could have been prevented - Coroner
She left notes around her house for those who would eventually find her.
Hospital asked to apologise after multiple doctors fail to diagnose cancer
Health NZ Waikato and surgeon apologise for delayed bowel cancer diagnosis.
Health NZ must apologise after surgeon circumcised man without his consent
He made the unexpected discovery when the postoperative bandages were removed.
'A listening ear': Mental health worker had sexual relationship with client's ex
The client was suspicious after her ex had information she'd only shared with the worker.
'I wish I got a second opinion': Women left blind in one eye after missed diagnosis
Despite two surgeries, it was too late to save the woman's eye.
'Multiple failures': Midwife censured over note-taking errors during stillborn births
The midwife has now been censured for multiple failures in her care of several women.
Health NZ criticised after misread smears allowed cancer to spread
Pippa van Paauwe’s smear tests were incorrectly assessed as normal, two consecutive times.
'Devastating': Baby died after hospital staff delayed C-section
The newborn had a brain injury caused by inadequate oxygen and later died.
Use of restraint and force revealed in disability support report
Poor management of medication, health conditions, support plans also revealed.
Support workers caught abusing disabled woman - 'you’re an ugly human being'
She wanted to keep her iPad and charger in her room.
Midwife claimed $82k for 172 babies - despite not providing full care
The midwife attributed discrepancies in paperwork to sabotage by her ex-husband.
Woman suffers after doctor used surgical mesh against her wishes
Patient says she’s disappointed about the consequences for the specialist.
'Failure in system' led to swab being left in woman after hysterectomy
But it remains unclear how the South Auckland surgical error happened.