Stories by Ruth Hill
News
Parasite spread by cats may have cost 10,000 New Zealanders their sight
Otago University researchers estimate 40,000 people are affected by ocular toxoplasmosis, but lack of funding is hampering efforts to develop new treatments.
Violence normalised across emergency departments, doctors warn
Daily abuse and assaults are putting patients at risk and pushing ED staff to quit, with doctors calling for 24/7 trained security in every hospital. Audio
Blood pressure dangers: 'Go to the doctor if something feels off'
One in three New Zealanders over 30 have high blood pressure - but many of them do not even know it.
RSV vaccine for babies used in 40 other countries could "save lives"
New Zealand has the world's highest rates of serious illness caused by RSV, with 2000 children under five admitted to hospital each year. Audio
Health Minister urges striking doctors to return to negotiations
Health Minister Simeon Brown says about 4300 procedures were delayed as a result of the strike.
'Not about the money': Wellington doctors defend strike over recruitment
Medical staff are picketing hospitals all around the country, as talks grind to a halt.
5000 senior doctors walk off the job today, 4300 procedures postponed
Health NZ insists its offer is fair and reasonable, and expressed disappointment. Audio
Healthcare providers funding immunisations out of own pockets
Health NZ admits there is still some work to do, as Māori and Pacific immunisation providers say funding is too low to cover services.
Plunket scheme vaccinates fewer than 100 babies in five months
Whānau Āwhina Plunket a million-dollar contract to set up its own childhood immunisation service five months ago and says progress will "speed up" Audio
Wait times to see GPs costing ACC millions, physiotherapy group says
The industry body says patients are waiting too long to be certified as able to return to work, due to long GP wait times.
Cut in colonoscopies after Covid funding ran out
The reduction in the number of colonoscopies outsourced to the private sector last year was due to a temporary "surge" the year before - paid for by leftover Covid funding, Health NZ says.
Colonoscopy wait times increase as fewer procedures funded
Health New Zealand data shows the number of publicly-funded colonoscopies dropped by more than 7 percent. Audio
Man can't get scan to diagnose cause of constant pain
Blake Forbes, 26, is battling at-times severe pain that is threatening to make him bed-bound. Audio
Doctors warn Gisborne hospital services on the brink of collapse
With 30-40 percent of senior doctor positions unfilled, the hospital is facing critical staff shortages.
One third of NZers waiting more than two weeks to see GP - poll
More than one in six people wait three or four weeks, or even longer, according to the first RNZ-Reid Research poll.
Relief and frustration over abandoned Health NZ restructuring
Health NZ said it had agreed with the Public Service Association to stop planned "change proposals" in public health.
Former Health NZ IT worker 'not surprised' at data breach
Health NZ is refusing to confirm whether the "malicious actor" behind the breach was an external hacker or an inside job.
Outsourcing being used to pretend hospital wait times are being fixed - doctor
Frustrated senior doctors say millions of dollars of taxpayer money going to private hospitals to do elective operations could help many more patients, if it was invested in the ailing public system. Audio
Top medical graduate struggles to find job
Marley Joseph was awarded the top GP prize at graduation but still needs at least two years on-the job training. Audio
People with psychotic symptoms not getting help early enough - study
Age restrictions mean some people are ineligible for help.
Doctor shortages: Plans for on the job training puts more pressure on GPs
Doctors are warning that giving GPs the task of doing more on-the-job training for new graduates and foreign-trained medics will load more pressure on primary care. Audio
Will Health NZ's IT workers get a reprieve from cuts?
Workers threatened with large-scale job cuts are hoping for a change of heart, after the minister revealed he had asked officials to think again.
Patients accuse Pharmac of 'cruelty' and lacking respect
The agency has come under mounting scrutiny in the the last year.
Trend to health privatisation 'means we're effectively paying twice' - union
The Health Commissioner's reset plan for Health NZ will still go on under new Board. Audio