Latest from Health and Disability Commissioner

Toddler given overdose of codeine

Two registered nurses have been found to be in breach of health codes for administering 10 times the recommended dose of codeine to a child at a private hospital.

Addiction counsellor exploited patient - report

Affair may cost midwife's career

"I could not believe that two people who were supposed to care for me could possibly be so horrible," the patient said in her complaint about the midwife.

Midwife 'shamed' by affair

A self-employed midwife who had an affair with her patient’s partner has been found to have seriously breached the ethical code of midwifery.

No consent for contraceptive device

A woman having trouble getting pregnant discovered a surgeon had inserted a contraceptive device in her without her consent.

Man coughs up blood after pharmacist's error

Nurse used same needle on two patients

A nurse who used the same needle on two patients and failed to tell the second patient of the error for days has been referred to the Nursing Council.

Chemo drugs mistakenly put into lungs

Tauranga's coroner says "significant and serious failures" in the health care provided at Tauranga Hospital to two patients contributed to their premature deaths.

Psychiatrist stripped of registration

A psychiatrist who had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient and paid her to keep mum has been stripped of his registration and ordered to pay more than $70k.

Doctor exploited vulnerable patient

A doctor who had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient, and paid her tens of thousands of dollars to keep quiet about it, has been found guilty of professional misconduct.

'Multiple failings' in man's care

An intellectually impaired man was mistreated by caregivers at a respite facility, highlighting "multiple failings" in his care.

Obstetrician criticised after stillborn baby delivered

Ketamine treatment not 'experimental'

A psychiatrist who treated patients with the drug ketamine for depression was not carrying out research or experimental treatment, it's been found.

GP 'crossed boundaries' - Commissioner

A GP who visited a patient at work, pulling his trousers down and asking her to perform a sex act on him, crossed boundaries, the Health and Disability Commissioner says.

Woman left with large growths on face after unapproved drug injections

A doctor who left a patient with large growths on her face after being injected with an unapproved drug has been fined $8000 and told his work will be scrutinised.

Surgery patient not told about superbug

A plastic surgeon failed to tell a patient she had contracted the superbug MRSA following breast reduction surgery, the Health and Disability Commission has found.