Latest fromHospitals

Hospital staff's hygiene standards eyed from afar
Big Brother is watching the doctors and nurses at the North Shore University Hospital in Long Island and he wants them to wash their hands.

St John boss in push to improve services
Survival rates for cardiac arrest, strokes and trauma victims are among the medical records that the new St John boss wants hospitals to provide in order to improve patient care.

Hospital kitchen takes the cake
It’s probably no surprise that the most popular dishes served from Waikato Hospital’s enormous kitchen are its roasts.

Risk: We'll pay more for less
New leaked papers reveal officials fear that a new bulk catering contract for NZ’s district health boards could cost more, with the risk food quality might decline. We ask what's on everyone’s mind: Could hospital food get any worse?

Hospital laundries also facing overhaul
Hospital laundry services will be overhauled along with production of patient meals in a bid to save millions of dollars, and job losses are not being ruled out.

Ryall: Hospital meal quality paramount
The Government is refusing to say how many jobs could be lost in a proposed overhaul of the provision of hospital meals that would save up to $175 million over 15 years.

Kerre McIvor: Hospital rest just a pipe dream
There have been times, and I know it's a little weird, when I have been so overwhelmed with work, travel and obligations that I yearn for a nice, quiet hospital bed.

Editorial: A&E targets lift efficiency but should never rule
The results of the Government's target for 95 per cent of patients to be admitted to a ward, discharged or transferred within six hours have been largely rewarding.

'Tough cookie' puts on brave face
A mother has told of the moment she saw her 8-year-old son lying under his motorbike with a large branch sticking out of his thigh.

Whooping cough epidemic spreads
More than half the number of whooping cough cases in Western Bay of Plenty have involved adults who have unwittingly helped spread the disease to epidemic proportions.

Paramedic retires after 48 years
Tauranga's longest serving paramedic has decided to call it a day after a 48-year association with St John.

Hospital hunt for missing monkey
Sergeant Wayne Hunter has issued a missing person's notice at Tauranga Hospital for an unlikely character - a toy monkey named Dr Fitz.

New norovirus strain linked to NZ death
A new, highly infectious strain of the norovirus stomach bug that has hit New Zealand has been linked to a death in Northland.

Kiwis warned about deadly norovirus
Kiwis are being urged to take health precautions to prevent infection from a deadly strain of norovirus, which has already reached New Zealand.

NZ braces for deadly flu
Medical experts in New Zealand are bracing themselves for the arrival of a deadly flu that is sweeping the US which has already killed 20 children.

More prem ICUs needed
Experts are calling for action to ease the burden on New Zealand's overloaded network of premature baby units.

Editorial: Money saved on operations a good move
Editorial: Any health service must seek to provide the maximum gain for the community from the resources available to it.

Cuts hit life-saver policy: doc
A policy said to have saved hundreds of lives in New Zealand's hospitals was sidelined at Auckland City Hospital to save money, says Dr Tim Parke, the departing chief of the emergency department.