The family of Nicky Stevens, who died after leaving a Hamilton mental health facility unescorted, have labelled a report into his death "backside covering".

Extra beds will be allowed in treatment and family rooms from today at one of our major regional hospitals but it has been revealed some clinical leaders did not initially support the move.

Two people were injured, one seriously, in a motorcycle crash in Waikato this afternoon.

Taxpayers have forked out more than $108,000 in expenses for Waikato District Health Board chief executive Dr Nigel Murray since he took up the job less than three years ago.

Waikato Hospital does not have enough doctors and nurses to run its operating theatres at full capacity, resulting in between six and nine elective surgeries being put off each week.

Doctors' strike at 18 DHBs to disrupt care for thousands of patients

District health boards are making their final preparations for the three-day strike by unionised resident doctors that starts tomorrow morning.

DHB says its offered rates of up to $200 an hour for extra duties during strike are not to induce strike-breaking.

Waikato District Health Board is postponing around 500 patients' appointments because of the strike.

Two young boys and a teenager are in a critical condition after a collision between a car and a campervan on Morrinsville-Tahuna Rd in Waikato.

Kay Billman suffers from debilitating back pain but doctors say she doesn't qualify for surgery.

Waikato DHB breached national targets in October and November for the number of patients waiting too long to see a specialist.

The Waikato District Health Board is over two year's late with its report on its chief executive's expenses

A first-time councillor has been criticised for lobbying her elected colleagues and the district health board over her anti-fluoride views.

A virtual health system set up by Waikato District Health Board will compete with another one designed by GPs and patients.

A woman who had a hysterectomy and a teenager who underwent a spinal surgery didn't receive the necessary follow-up checks with surgeon.

Patient waiting lists and health targets are not the only concerns at Waikato Hospital, according to a leaked email.

The Labour Party is urging a rethink of one of the Government's key health targets after a group of surgeons revealed important operations were being put off in order to reach the strict target.

Appointments are being postponed and rescheduled ahead of a nationwide junior doctors strike starting next week.

The Waikato DHB is reviewing its mental health care processes after Ross Bremner's murderous rampage last week.

Four days, four deaths. Two towns. Keith Bremner lies in a coma in hospital, unaware of his only son's death or the destruction he caused.

The devastated daughter of an elderly couple found dead at their bach on the Kawhia harbour says she bears no animosity towards their suspected killer or his family.

A caregiver charged with assaulting an elderly man in a Hamilton rest home has appeared in court this morning.

A caregiver allegedly caught on covert camera footage hitting and slapping an elderly man in a rest home has been charged with assault.

Nanaia Mahuta's husband is the latest family member to put his hat in the ring for the upcoming elections.

A former Waikato DHB nurse who stole 5000 vials of the Michael Jackson drug propofol has been sentenced to 12 months' supervision and 220 hours' community work.

It beggars belief that any nurses employed in public hospitals would be allowed to decline vaccinations against winter flu.

One worker has now been sacked for defying a new hard-line policy forcing unvaccinated Waikato District Health Board staff to get flu jabs or wear masks.

Alleged fake psychiatrist considered a flight risk because he planned to leave NZ to care for his sick mother instead of fighting an employment dispute.

Three Waikato Hospital nurses have been suspended for defying a controversial new policy forcing non-vaccinated workers to either get flu jabs or wear face masks.