Karen Brown
Demand for Elective Surgery
Karen Brown explores the demand and continuing unmet need for elective surgery Audio
Doctors worry over patients waiting for non-urgent surgery
Surgeons and others are deeply worried about patients who are referred for non-urgent surgery but can wait long periods for an operation. Audio
Elderly resthome resident develops blood poisoning, dies
A resthome that failed to care properly for an elderly woman who deteriorated and died following skin cancer surgery has been told to make improvements. Audio
Coma and breathing trouble after man given incorrect drug
A community support worker gave a man the wrong drug with life-threatening consequences after failing to do the necessary checks. Audio
Lab workers struggle as DHBs select new medical tests firm
The firm that's set to lose its contract to provide community medical testing in the Wellington region says its staff are devastated. Audio
New group seeks to provide view of disabled on euthanasia
A new group representing disabled people says they feel threatened and unvalued by growing calls to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide. Audio
Euthanasia backers in new bid for legal end to suffering
Terminally ill patients are launching a new campaign in an attempt to win the right to be able to legally end their lives. Audio
MPs demand answers over need for Dunedin Hospital rebuild
Water leaks in the operating suite at Dunedin Hospital during heavy rain meant intense debate at Parliament today. Audio
Vulnerable mental health client exploited for sex: report
A male nurse who had sex with a vulnerable mental health patient may face legal action Audio
Lab workers demand more transparency over restructure plan
Medical laboratory workers want public hospital labs in the Wellington region upgraded, but they want more openness around the process. Audio
DHBs press on with lab test merger despite pullout
Three Wellington-region district health boards plan to continue with a hotly debated proposal for a major restructure of lab services. Audio
Surgeon calls for more weight-loss ops for rising obesity
A weight loss surgeon says New Zealand will become the fattest nation on earth within five years. Audio
NZ to become fattest nation within 5 years
A weight loss surgeon says New Zealand is on course to become the fattest nation on earth within five years. Audio
Outspoken - Doctors and Patient Safety
Karen Brown asks how well the Medical Council is doing at both regulating the profession while protecting the public from bad doctors. Audio
Regulator promises more public information about doctors
The body charged with regulating doctors is promising to provide more information to the public about doctors and their performance. Audio
Alcohol, smoking, obesity ongoing issues: health survey
The annual snapshot of the state of New Zealanders' health is out. Audio
Doctors say some good news amid grim health statistics
Nearly a third of adults - that's about a million people - are officially obese, according to the latest annual Health Survey. Audio
About 50 upset hospital staff walk off job over food plans
About fifty Auckland hospital food workers walked off the job today in an angry protest at hotly debated changes to hospital food services. Audio
Pharmac uses wider role to drive major savings for DHBs
The drug-buying agency Pharmac says district health boards will save more than 100 million dollars over the next five years because of its work. Audio
Osteopath left needles in patients while out for coffee
A former Dunedin osteopath who left patients with needles in their backs when he went to get coffee and sausage rolls has been suspended. Audio
