Stories by Ruth Hill
News
Autistic man released after three months' 'solitary confinement' in hospital
Ethan Hallett was reduced to being a "dead-eyed zombie" during his three-and-a-half month "incarceration" in Waitakere Hospital, his mother says.
'They're being discharged far too early and they're coming home very unwell'
Two severely disabled people in residential care were sent home from hospital still seriously ill, with one readmitted within 24 hours, later dying in hospital.
Shortage of rest home beds putting pressure on health system, providers say
Aged care providers warn the shortage of rest home beds is leading to longer wait times for elective surgery, over-crowded emergency departments and other pressures on the health system.
Fire and Emergency knew about asbestos in Auckland station
Fire and Emergency knew for two years about asbestos in its Auckland Central Fire Station, which had to be evacuated after dust during renovation tested positive.
Govt boosts science funding to prepare for more extreme weather
How many billions will it cost to protect New Zealand against future weather disasters? The government is allocating extra science funds to find out.
'Why is Google looking over your shoulder?' - Privacy fears over data online
Privacy experts and analysts warn government departments' use of Google Analytics may be allowing the world's biggest marketing company to harvest New Zealanders' private data for its own purposes.
'A real kick in the guts': GP nurses not included in pay parity package
Nurses Organisation kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the difference between hospital pay rates and GPs was about 10 to 15 percent, with some Māori and Pasifika services languishing 25 to 30 percent…
'It's incredibly traumatising': Former Exclusive Brethren Church member providing support to other leavers
A group of people who have escaped cult-like groups have set up a support network to help others like themselves build new lives.
'The system is broken': Malachi Subecz's family press for mandatory reporting of child abuse
In one phone call on 21 June 2021, Megan found out her aunt Jasmine Cotter had gone to prison on drugs charges and that no-one in the family knew who had her son.
Acute nationwide shortage of anaesthetic technicians 'a predictable problem'
There is a 16 percent shortage of anaesthetic technicians nationwide. Audio
Family forced from Lower Hutt home by slip says council complicit in extended hardship
The council lifted the dangerous building notice this week, but an expert pointed to its stormwater system as contributing to the slip, while the family's laywer claims the authority abused its power.
Corrected ED data to be published tomorrow - Verrall
The health minister says the incorrect data was not used to make decisions, and media reports that quoted her referring to it were false. Audio
GP group calls for vapes to be prescription-only
Doctors, public health experts and schools are among those calling for New Zealand authorities to make vapes prescription-only, like in Australia.
NZ-made Covid-19 testing device approved by US but not here
An Auckland biotech company is struggling to get its PCR testing device approved for use here, despite having twice been given the green light by the United States FDA.
Covid-19: Cases climbing as health system heads for a Christmas crunch
Healthcare professionals in holiday hotspots are bracing for an influx of Covid-19 patients, with one modeller warning Christmas week could see one-in-20 people infected.
OCR hike not fair or necessary, macroeconomics expert says
The Reserve Bank is wrong to make ordinary households pay the cost of bringing rampant inflation under control, according to one expert in macroeconomics.
Paediatric surgery in Wellington will not be fully-staffed until 2024
Children who need operations in Wellington and the lower North Island will continue to rely on out-of-town surgeons flying in for another two years.
Diabetic who uses glucose monitor says 'huge holes' in Pharmac's analysis
Insulin-dependent diabetics say Pharmac's decision to delay funding a potentially life-saving device appears to be based on flawed assessments.
New doctors 'often exposed to things not seen before'
Some newly-graduated doctors warn the lack of hands-on learning during their training has left them feeling ill-prepared for the reality of dealing with emergencies.
'Alarm bells were going off' - Complainants warn against 'sacred sexuality' courses
Some students and teachers of so-called "sacred sexuality" courses say those running them are turning a blind eye to predators. Warning: Contains sexual references
Puberty blocker use jumps as expert backs results
The number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they do not identify with their assigned gender has increased exponentially in the last decade, according to Pharmac data.
'Unfair' interview process forced false confession, says judge
A controversial police interrogation method that was implicated in a false confession is under fire from human rights lawyers, criminologists and psychologists.
Middlemore's fake doctor revelation shocks Linda Astor whistleblower
The whisteblower who unmasked bogus psychiatrist Linda Astor 25 years ago is shocked that a man with no medical qualifications was able to work at Middlemore Hospital this year.
Government's new literacy plan met with some skepticism
The government has unveiled what it is calling a radical plan to overhaul reading, writing and maths teaching after two decades of sliding literacy rates.
'They're using church connections to run their business and control people'
A cult-like church that exerts almost complete control over its members has metastasised into a multinational corporation with massive buying power.